SKF expands Nautilus bearing range

SKF (www.skf.com) has expanded its Nautilus bearing range to provide wind industry designers with greater freedom to develop various types of turbines and direct drive, turbines with a gearbox, mounted on shafts, with inner or outer ring rotation or directly bolted on the surrounding structure. “With the new range of SKF Nautilus bearings, SKF continues... [Read more]

Bauer Supplies Gear Motors for Crane Used to Construct World’s Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge

Russky Island is located just off of Vladivostok, Russia, with the Eastern Bosphorous strait separating the island from the Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula. As part of a massive regeneration project, development work began to turn the island into a large-scale, state-of-the-art tourist resort. Plans were drawn up for the construction of a bridge that would... [Read more]

Linear Shaft Supports with Removable Top

Freeport NY – New low-profile linear shaft supports from Ondrives Corp. feature a unique removable top. Using top loading makes for easier assembly and accurate re-alignment of shafts and bearings when needed with less downtime. The removable top allows quick replacement without the loss of alignment position.These patent-pending LPB shaft supports... [Read more]

Midwest’s compact yet powerful Planetary DC Gearmotor

Midwest Motion Products, Inc. (www.midwestmotion.com) (MMP) has announced the release of its latest DC Gear Motor, Model Number: MMP-D33-455D-48V GP81-03.7. Although it is compact and lightweight, the new gearmotor is powerful and is ideal for use in solar trackers, robotics and automation applications. Generating a torque of 18 lb in at 782 rpm, this... [Read more]

Zero-Max CD Couplings deliver high performance design materials

Zero-Max (www.zeromax.com) has expanded its CD Coupling portfolio with the addition of the Series A1C high performance CD couplings, which combine high performance design materials, features and precision. Ensuring reliable operation, the all-new CD A1C couplings feature high dynamic load capacity and high torsional stiffness, making them ideal for... [Read more]

SEW-EURODRIVE offers IEC Compliant Motors and Gearmotors

SEW-EURODRIVE (www.seweurodrive.com) offers a new range of motors and geared motors that effectively live up the latest Australian Minimum Efficiency Performance Standard (MEPS) standards. Designed to meet all worldwide energy efficiency classes, the SEW-EURODRIVE DR motor series provides the finest motor solution for direct mains as well as frequency... [Read more]

NKE’s electrically insulated rolling bearings protect against current discharge

Rolling bearing manufacturer NKE Austria (www.nke.at/en) has unveiled its latest range of electrically insulated rolling bearings. Featuring a built-in electrical insulation, the special bearings SQ77 offers reliable protection from current discharge as well as the resulting electrical corrosion. The electrically insulated rolling bearings are ideally... [Read more]

GAM Gear Achieves Record Sales and Boosts Capacity to Meet Market Demand

By building domestic production capacity and inventory, GAM enhances customer experience and expedites shipping of robust, feature-rich standard and custom components MT. PROSPECT, Ill. GAM Gear, LLC (GAM Enterprises, Inc.) a leading provider of precision mechanical motion control components for automation machinery, today announced significant growth... [Read more]

36VDC, 26 RPM DC Gearmotor

Watertown, Minn. – Midwest Motion Products, Inc. has released a new DC gearmotor with an integral failsafe brake, the Model No. MMP D22-490F-36V GP52-124 BR-005. Accepting any 36VDC source, including solar or battery power, the gearmotor measures just 2.24 in. diameter by 9.25 in. long, including the failsafe brake, and has a keyed output shaft of... [Read more]

Calnetix Technologies unveils Insight 3600 magnetic bearing controller

Calnetix Technologies, LLC (www.calnetix.com) has unveiled the Insight 3600 magnetic bearing controller, a compact, state-of-the-art, panel-mounted magnetic bearing controller that can control advanced permanent magnet and bias magnetic bearings even in up to five axes. Magnetic bearings eliminate the need for lubrication and rotational friction making... [Read more]

Motor-to-Gearbox Online Configurator Tool from WITTENSTEIN

Bartlett, Ill. – The latest advancement in online motion selection is the “motor to gearbox” option for WITTENSTEIN’s Product Configurator. This tool fills the gap between the online Product CAD Generator and WITTENSTEIN’s cymex® servo sizing software. The Product Configurator tool combines technical criteria in gearbox selection,... [Read more]

EtherCAT-Based SPiiPlus Soft Control Platform helps optimize performance

A software-based EtherCAT motion control platform from ACS Motion Control (www.acsmotioncontrol.com) helps minimize costs for HDD, semiconductor, PV equipment, biomedical and LED manufacturers while maximizing performance. The SPiiPlusSC (Soft Controller) allows standard PCs to operate a high-speed PLC and a 64-axis real-time motion controller. Its... [Read more]

Timken Tapered Roller Bearings offer increased load ratings

The Timken Company (www.timken.com) has proudly announced a 10 percent average increase in calculated load ratings for its tapered roller bearings. Utilized in a vast array of industrial and mobile equipment, the Timken tapered roller bearings have been specifically engineered with advanced technology. Performance assessments of the bearings warrant... [Read more]

Milacron to produce Magna Servo Machines in US

Milacron Plastics Technologies (www.milacron.com), a US-based supplier of plastic-processing technologies, has announced the Magna Servo injection molding machines developed by the company’s affiliate in India, Ferromatik Milacron India, will also be produced at its Batavia, Ohio manufacturing facility. The machines have been produced in India since... [Read more]

igus unveils maintenance-free xiros polymer ball bearings

Igus (www.igus.com) has announced that its xiros polymer ball bearings are lubricant and maintenance-free, enabling them to withstand temperatures of up to 150°C. Light weight and non-magnetic, these highly corrosion-resistant bearings can also be cleaned and washed. The xiros ball bearings offer an economic alternative for various applications where... [Read more]

MotorSolve v3.0 with Thermal Analysis Module from Infolytica

Montreal, QC – Infolytica Corporation announces the new MotorSolve v3 with a thermal module included, giving motor designers a complete software tool to thoroughly evaluate the impact of temperature and different cooling methods on the performance of brushless, PMAC and induction machines.  MotorSolve Thermal is a 3D automated-FEA analysis module... [Read more]

CGI Sponsors Youth Robotics Competition

CGI, Inc announce their pledge towards becoming the main event sponsor for the Northern Nevada FTC® Championship Tournament February 24-25 at Carson City High School, Carson City, NV.Founded by Dean Kamen in 1992, FIRST’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs... [Read more]

New Amphenol Connectors provide more power and durability

Amphenol Aerospace (www.amphenol-aerospace.com), a world leader in interconnect system, has introduced a series of micro-miniature connectors that deliver consistent coupling and more power throughput by integrating more electrical connections. With shell sizes ranging between five and 23, the compact, high-density 2M Series is 52 percent smaller and... [Read more]

Water treatment system features Rotalink motor gearbox

Netherlands-based manufacturer and designer of water treatment products, Van Erp International B.V. (www.vanerpinternational.com), has announced that it has integrated Rotalink’s (www.rotalink.com) AC synchronous geared motors in its Blue Lagoon range for precise dosing control. Rotalink and Van Erp International have closely worked on the modular... [Read more]

Split Universal Mounting Kit protects bearings of VFD-driven motors

Electro Static Technology (www.est-static.com) has announced that the split universal mounting kit variant of AEGIS SGR Bearing Protection Ring protects the VFD-driven motors’ bearings from electrical damage, while allowing easy and quick retrofitting of the ring on almost any AC motor shaft without the need of decoupling the attached equipment. Ideal... [Read more]

Steinmeyer adds Ball Screw Blog to Web Site

Steinmeyer, Inc. announced that it has added a new blog to its web site. This new feature includes categories such as applications, calculations, commercial issues and design. It offers professional advice and we will do our best to provide useful information that is based on over 40 years of ball screw expertise with applications in the machine tool,... [Read more]

Moog’s hybrid electric-hydraulic actuator offers efficiency and reliability

Moog (www.moog.com) presented a prototype hybrid electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) that avoids the mechanical gearing and screws usually needed for purely electric actuators during the SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany. The EHA, unlike conventional hydraulic actuators, needs no hydraulic piping, therefore improving reliability and cutting costs. The actuator... [Read more]

Thomson releases the Redimount gearhead mounting system for manufacturers

Thomson (www.thomsonlinear.com) has introduced a modular system specially designed to enable an efficient connection between the company’s true planetary gearheads to other manufacturers’ drive motor in a seamlessly quick, straightforward manner. The Redimount system permits machine and component manufacturers to select the most compatible combination... [Read more]

Bosch Rexroth’s New Ball Rail System for Humid to Wet Production Environments

Charlotte, NC – Bosch Rexroth’s new NFRG ball rail system is well-suited for use in humid to wet production environments. The profiled rail and the ball runner block are both made entirely of corrosion resistant steel according to DIN EN 10088 and of certified plastics according to EU Directive 2002/72/EC and US Regulation FDA21CFR. The NFRG ball... [Read more]

Aerotech unveils A3200 MotionPAC software-based PLC

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has announced that it has integrated the A3200 MotionPAC software-based programmable logic controller (PLC) with its A3200 motion controller to optimize programming quality and efficiency while reducing development time. Compliant with PLCopen and IEC 61131-3, the MotionPAC can be used in conjunction with AeroBasic programs... [Read more]

Right Angle Gear Drives with Class 10 Spiral Bevel Gears from Zero-Max

Plymouth, Minn. – Crown right-angle gear drives from Zero-Max Inc. feature heat-treated AGMA Class 10 spiral bevel gears and non-magnetic stainless steel shafts providing long-term, maintenance-free operation.  Zero-Max Crown gear drives feature long-life, precision hardened and ground ball bearings handling speeds up to 2,000 rpm in most operating... [Read more]

GRAPHALLOY 845 Spherical Inserts suitable for high temperature applications

Graphite Metallizing Corporation (www.graphalloy.com) has proudly introduced GRAPHALLOY 845 Spherical Inserts, which can be used as an alternative for traditional ball bearings found in various high temperature applications. A graphite/metal alloy, GRAPHALLOY is specifically developed to operate without lubrication, making it suitable for operations... [Read more]

BMG introduces new QMSN housed bearing units

Bearing Man Group (BMG) (www.bmgworld.net) announced that it has expanded its product offering to include a new series of housed bearing units. “These imperial housed tapered roller bearing units were the missing segment from BMG’s housed bearing product portfolio. The addition of this product range by one of our key supply partners enables BMG... [Read more]

igus unveils new plastic bearings technology

Igus (www.igus.com), a German-based plastic bearings specialist, has unveiled the ‘green bearings’ technology with the development of a wear-resistant plain bearing comprising 54 percent natural and sustainable raw materials. Aimed at low-load applications, the new iglidur N54 plain bearing uses polymer that is mainly made of castor oil, rather... [Read more]

New Family of 16mm Metal Gear Motors

Torrance, Cal. – Nidec Copal (U.S.A.) Corporation of has expanded their 0.630-in. (16 mm) OD brush and brushless DC gear motor product lines with the next generation MG16B (brush) and LB16MG (brushless) metal planetary gear motor series. The new metal planetary gear train allows for higher torque providing greater durability and reliability with improved... [Read more]

Baldor enhances performance of Dodge tapered roller bearing

Baldor (www.baldor.com) has unveiled the latest Dodge Type E-Xtra tapered roller bearing, which comes with advanced sealing system and high load ratings. Since the launch of the first Dodge Type E bearings in 1938, the range has been continuously improved to meet the changing demands of industrial customers. This innovation is continued with the addition... [Read more]

New Price Reduction on V Series AC Motors from Oriental Motor

Torrance, Cal. – Oriental Motor announces a new, lower price on its high-strength V-Series AC motors. These high-strength motors use a special tooth-surface machining technology combined with an optimized quiet-running design that maintains the motor’s strength. High-accuracy assembly technology ensures precision at micro levels.  Maximum permissible... [Read more]

Right Angle DC Gearmotor comes with integral failsafe brake

Midwest Motion Products, Inc. (www.midwestmotion.com), a distributor of a vast array of mechanical and electronic products, has announced the release of its latest DC Gear Motor that features an integral failsafe brake. Model No. MMP D22-376D-24V GRA60-032 BR-005 accepts any 24VoltDCsource, including battery or solar power. Measuring just 2.24 inches... [Read more]

What is a Gear?

The primary task of a gear is to mesh teeth with another toothed part to transmit torque or to translate rotation. Thus, geared devices can change the speed, torque, and direction of a power source. When two gears of unequal number of teeth combine, it results in a mechanical advantage, with both the rotational speeds and the torques of the two gears... [Read more]

What are Retaining Rings?

Retaining rings are fasteners that hold together components on a shaft when installed in a groove. There are three main types of retaining rings; tapered section, constant section and spiral. Tapered section rings are characterized by their decreasing thickness from the center of the ring out to the ends. These rings can be mounted either axially or... [Read more]

What are Flexible Couplings?

Couplings join together two shafts as a way of transmitting power from one to the other. It is part of the drivetrain which may include other power transmission components such as lead screws or ball screws, gearboxes, belts and pulleys or chains. There are two fundamental types of couplings; rigid and flexible. Rigid couplings are generally used in... [Read more]

Wave springs

At its most basic level, a spring is a device used to store mechanical energy. Although often out of sight, springs play an important role in many motion control applications. They are used in gear assemblies, actuators, rotary unions, and different kinds of clutches, among other applications. There are many different varieties and shapes and sizes... [Read more]

Torque limiter

Torque limiters protect equipment or loads from excessive torque. In essence, they are used to shut down a machine and dissipate any rotational energy without causing damage to the machine. Often, systems operating at low speeds can develop a large quantity of torque. In the event of a malfunction, this excess torque can damage machine components such... [Read more]

Bellows Couplings

One form of flexible coupling with very low and near zero-backlash is the bellows coupling. The key benefits of bellows couplings include misalignment compensation and precise transmission of velocity, angular positioning and torque. Bellows couplings are known for their exceptional torsional rigidity, which allows for flexibility in dealing with axial,... [Read more]

HMI software

Human machine interface (HMI) software gives machine operators a way to interact with and manage a system. This interaction is through a graphical user interface (GUI), which facilitates information exchange and communication between two types of HMIs; a supervisory level and a machine level. Generally, HMI software is designed for either machine level... [Read more]

Gearing

Gearmotors Gearmotors are an all-in-one combination of an electric motor and one or more pairs of gears (which is also known as a gearbox). A gearmotor simplifies combining a motor with a gear reducer system. Planetary gears Planetary gears consist of one or more outer gears, or planet gears, revolving about a central, or sun gear. Typically, the planet... [Read more]

Bearings

Efficient linear or rotational movement usually relies on some type of bearings. In fact, most of the machines built today incorporate bearings—and without them, maintenance technicians would face the frustration of constantly replacing parts that wore out due to friction. The basic concept behind a bearing is that things roll more easily than they... [Read more]

Linear motion bearings

This class of bearings generally uses a pad, bushing, or roller system to carry a load on a rail that need not be a straight line. The rail can be most any length, although that dimension is limited by the actuator. The durability of the bearing is determined by the load and required speed. Furthermore, rails can generally be any profile – simple... [Read more]

SCHUNK LEG 400 gripper weighs only 6.5 kg

SCHUNK  (www.schunk.com) has expanded its portfolio of modular long-stroke electric grippers with the addition of the LEG 400. Equipped with a servo motor, this weight reduced gripper offers a variable stroke ranging from zero to 103 mm and a gripping force of up to 1050 N, making it suitable for automotive and metal cutting industry. The new LEG gripper... [Read more]

DC Gearmotor ideal for robotics, solar tracking and automation

The Minnesota division of Midwest Motion Products, Inc. (www.midwestmotion.com) has proudly released its latest DC Gear Motor with Model No. MMP TM57-12V GP52-124. Measuring 7.76 inches long and 2.24 inches in diameter, this robust gear motor accepts any 12VoltDC source, including battery or solar power. Ideally suited for robotics, solar tracking and... [Read more]

Emerson Bearing Launches Video Tutorials

Boston, Mass. – Emerson Bearing has recently launched a series of online video tutorials. A total of 10 video tutorials can now be viewed online at Emerson Bearing’s website.  Whether you’re looking for split bearing solutions, trying to determine why a bearing failed or trying to learn more about bearing types and the numbering system, Emerson... [Read more]

STOBER Introduces KL Version of Helical Bevel Gear Unit

Maysville, Ky. – STOBER™ Drives, Inc. has developed a new KL helical bevel gear unit, a compact right-angle drive that meets the packaging manufacturing industry’s latest machine requirements. The space-saving gear reducer comes in sizes 1 and 2, and is perfect for packaging, filling, conveying, general automation and wash-down.  When compared... [Read more]

Rotary table wheel-blast system features a streamlined HMI

Guyson Corporation (www.guyson.com) has introduced a rotary table wheel-blast system with a streamlined human-machine interface (HMI) that effectively replaces a collection of separate switches, indicators and push buttons with a sleek panel that simplifies use of the controls, while allowing users to view the status of the system functions — the... [Read more]

Compact DC Gearmotor delivers 443 lb-in. torque at 2.0 rpm

Midwest Motion Products, Inc. (www.midwestmotion.com) has announced the release of the latest DC Gearmotor that comes with four “face mount” M5 threaded holes that are equally spaced on a 40 mm Dia. B.C. — the Model No. MMP-TM57-24V GP52-2076. Measuring 2.24 inches in diameter and 8.35 inches long, the robust Gear Motor accepts any 24 V DC source... [Read more]

Jet Edge Waterjet Cutting Machine cuts through any material

Waterjet manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. (www.jetedge.com) has launched a water jet cutting machine that can process materials measuring up to 5′ x 13′ — the Mid Rail Gantry Model MR513. The new Mid Rail Gantry Model MR513 water jet cutting machine is specifically designed for machine shops, fabricators as well as tile and stone shops. The... [Read more]