April 1, 2010
Features
Web processing untangled
As people enjoy their morning newspapers and a hot cup of coffee, many have no clue about the critical role that web control plays in allowing them to...
Real-life cable questions answered
Cables are often the last component to be considered when designing moving machines or equipment. It shouldn't be this way, because they supply the electric...
Piezomotors and actuators: Streamlining performance
Motion-device functionality is influenced by a myriad of design requirements. Consider medical-instrument manufacturing: The research, design, modeling,...
Choosing a crossed-roller bearing
Most linear bearings incorporate ball bearings (usually of metal) to reduce friction between moving parts. Of these designs, most bushings, ball splines,...
Editorial
Online gaming, engineering style
Just about everyone I know enjoys games and contests, especially when cash prizes and recognition are involved. Whether it's betting on college basketball,...
Engineers helping Haiti
I was interested to read your comments regarding Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and their involvement in Haiti. Talking about American relief efforts...
What's New
Rare earth minerals shortage threatens U.S. manufacturing
Saudi Arabia has petroleum, but China has rare earth minerals a natural resource becoming increasingly important to clean energy technologies. Witnesses...
Graphene holds promise for new sensors
Graphene, made of carbon formed into sheets just one atom in thickness, appears to be a promising base material for capturing hydrogen, according to new...
Wireless Compliance Institute launches new site
The ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute (WCI) recently launched a new website to support suppliers and users of ISA100 Wireless Networking Technology....
Industrial control seminars
WAGO Corp., Germantown, Wis., is hosting free Industrial Control Training Seminars at its Milwaukee area headquarters in May, August, September, and November....
Biz bits
Lenze-AC Tech names new sales director Lenze-AC Tech, Uxbridge, Mass., announces the promotion of Eric Klein to director of sales for North, Central,...
Sensor-enhanced tanks will call for help
Smart-armor vehicles may one day tell soldiers when they've been damaged and need repairs. Scientists at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive, Research, Development...
U.S. gear demand gets growing
The domestic market for gears and gear assemblies is forecast to increase 3.9% per year to $30.1 billion in 2013 according to a new study from The Freedonia...
Dealing with distributors
Darwin on distributors
Remember Charles Darwin the evolution guy? When not waxing eloquently on South American lizard species, he went on record as saying, It is not the strongest...
Brushing Up
Centrifugal and centripetal force
An object traveling in a circle, even at constant speed, is accelerating. That's because its direction is constantly changing to point to the center of...
Better by Design
Tidy rollers
Bearings face two challenges in dirty or washdown environments: keeping out contamination, and keeping lubricant safe inside. Single and multi-lip designs...
Design by Objective
Washdown-duty devices brave water and more
Many industrial designs need protection from the elements, whether indoors or out. Here are some of the latest weatherproof parts for your next wet application....
MSD 101
Variable frequency drives
Adjustable speed drives (ASDs) or variable speed drives (VSDs), also called variable frequency drives (VFDs), typically control a motor's velocity or...
Web Watch
Internet resources for Engineers
Check this out through your iTunes software: Convert2 is a new iPhone application (from a group called AppoTize) that makes the conversions commonly required...
Servocouplings
Floating shaft couplings
Floating Shaft CD couplings provide a torsionally stiff, zero-backlash option for connecting long distances between shaft ends...
Steel bellows coupling
The backlash-free primeflex coupling can be plugged in for easy installation and disassembly...
Slit type plastic couplings
S50TLC Inch and Metric Series couplings offer low cost, UV resistance, and voltage and RF isolation...
Adjustable line shafts
By using a high-strength intermediate collar between two telescoping sections of precision tubing, EZV line shafts locate phase adjustment apparatus in an accessible space...
Products
Screw-driven linear actuator
HepcoMotion PSD80 Profile actuator features high-efficiency Herculane wheels, which mount to an adjustable carriage...
Terminal blocks
YBK series of feed-through terminal blocks use a tension clamp connection for fast wire termination and reliable connection...
Motor drive power modules
The 8B0P passive power-supply modules provide central power for ACOPOSmulti drive systems...
Leadscrews and nuts
For vertical applications, leadscrews self-lock and prevent back driving, unlike traditional ballscrews...
Lubricants and coatings
A new range of oils, greases, coatings, and solid lubes includes Kluber and Kyodo Yushi greases for high precision machinery...
Cable transducers
Model LT25 linear cable transducers provide digital position and speed feedback in a rugged, easy-to-install package...
Direct-acting pneumatic valve
The Isonic V2 Series valve is a two and three-way solenoid-operated pneumatic valve...
Grounding cable accessory
SKINTOP MS-M BRUSH gland offers a low-resistance 360° screen contact; for full grounding coverage, EMI interruptions and equipment failure are eliminated...
Retaining rings
A beveled retaining ring lets the complementary angle of the beveled ring assume the function of a nut...
Color sensor and spectrometer
True Color SMARTEYE ColorWise sensor works at higher speeds than color cameras or other sensors and is suitable for intricate color sorting or inspection on high-speed packaging and production lines...
