Patent Awarded to Bishop-Wisecarver for New Dualvee® Washdown Wheels
August 20, 2009 by Miles Budimir
Filed under Mechanical Components
Pittsburg, CA – Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced that it has been awarded a third U.S. Patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its latest technological development of a washdown wheel in the signature DualVee family of products.
Designed primarily for washdown environments, such as those experienced in food and beverage applications, the DualVee washdown wheel significantly extends bearing life and increases bearing replacement intervals at least three-fold. The new bearing incorporates the patented inner seal and outer shield design. The design of the outer shield allows it to act as a momentary seal; while pressure from high velocity fluid causes the shield to deflect and conform to the wheel’s metallic surface. When the pressure is removed, the shield returns to its normal position, allowing any liquid and debris that entered between the shield and seal to drain out or be spun out by centrifugal force.
Available in sizes 2 and 3, DualVee washdown wheels feature AISI 440C stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, and exceptional protection from high velocity washdown fluids and debris. Washdown wheels are interchangeable with Original DualVee wheels for ease of replacement.
For more information on DualVee washdown wheels or to view this patented technology in action, visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html#WDW.
Low Temperature DualVee Guide Wheels
June 4, 2009 by Motion Control Tips Editor
Filed under Linear Motion
Pittsburg, CA – - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announces the availability of its new low temperature wheel, the latest addition to the company’s signature DualVee product line. Designed primarily to meet the extreme low temperature demands present in the aerospace industry, the low temperature wheel also provides an economical solution for refrigeration and sub-zero climates.
DualVee low temperature wheels are available in sizes 1 through 4 from stock. DualVee low temperature wheels feature type 440C stainless steel balls and races, and type 304 stainless steel retainers, with a special lubricant formulated to withstand service temperatures from -94 to +230°F (-70 to +110°C). Bishop-Wisecarver DualVee wheels are also available from stock in high temperature, washdown, clean room, and stainless versions to satisfy application requirements. DualVee guide wheels can be provided with custom or customer-supplied lubricants, generally within three weeks. Wheels can even be provided completely dry for applications such as food processing and medical devices where the possibility of grease contamination is an issue.
“This addition to the DualVee family of products supports Bishop-Wisecarver’s mission of ‘Motion without limits’, and truly allows us to provide guided motion solutions for all types of critical and extreme environments”, says Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver.
Bishop-Wisecarver
www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html#1
Bishop-Wisecarver Sponsors CA High School’s Entrance in Robotics Competition
March 24, 2009 by Motion Control Tips Editor
Filed under Linear Motion
Pittsburg, CA – - Always looking for new ways to spark students’ interest in engineering and science, Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation is sponsoring Heritage High School’s participation in the 2009-10 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge. This is the first time the Brentwood, CA high school, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, will participate in the competition known for fostering students’ interest in science and technology.
Founded in 1989, FIRST has brought the energy and fanfare of a sporting event to science and technology via robotics competitions. In 2005, the group launched its FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program, providing a more accessible and cost-effective way for high school students to discover the excitement of technology, science and engineering. Teams of 10 students, working with a coach and mentor, receive a Competition Kit, which they will use to build their robots to meet the season’s engineering challenge. Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation contributed some of the funds needed for Heritage High School to purchase their Competition Kit. The company also paid for the school’s registration in the 2010 Northern California Tournament. Each year in April, regional and international competitions lead up to the Championship, where the FTC teams compete.
The upcoming competition is a new opportunity for Heritage High School, and is just one aspect of their groundbreaking engineering/technology program that focuses on robotics design and development. Business Technology instructor Robert Pardi, who spent 14 years at a neighboring high school that twice sent teams to the FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC), is now at the helm of Heritage High School’s robotics engineering program. Determined to build an offshoot robotics program and get Heritage High School students involved in FIRST competitions, Pardi this year assembled a Robotics Club of nearly 10 students. These are the students who will design and build the robot that will compete in the FTC beginning this Fall.
“These kinds of activities directly benefit and change kids’ lives,” Pardi says. “Without support from the community and businesses, many kids would not have these experiences.”
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation previously sponsored FRC but decided this year to focus its efforts on helping a single high school enter the competition. Their continued involvement with FIRST is part of a long tradition. Nearly 40 years ago, Bud Wisecarver, founder of Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, began a life-long commitment to youth programs related to education, engineering, manufacturing and science.
Pardi describes the FIRST experience as “phenomenal,” and says it gives students an outlet for their advanced math and science skills. The competition, which requires students to speak to judges and other teams, also provides a way for students to improve their communication skills.
“We are very proud to be a sponsor of Heritage High School in their FIRST Technology Challenge efforts,” says Pamela Kan, President of Bishop-Wisecarver. “Our involvement at a local level gives us the opportunity to promote innovation and encourage and engage the engineers of the future.”
The company’s sponsorship of the school’s FTC aspirations is part of Pardi’s big picture plans.
“I am trying to build a robotics program at this school,” he says. “With Bishop-Wisecarver’s help it will be possible.”
DualVee® Washdown Wheels Protect Against Ingress of Liquid
February 20, 2009 by Motion Control Tips Editor
Filed under Bearings, Linear Motion
Applications in washdown environments typically require frequent bearing replacement due to the ingress of highly corrosive fluids and loss of lubrication. Bishop-Wisecarver’s new DualVee washdown wheels can increase replacement intervals nearly three-fold, and are interchangeable with standard vee wheels for ease of replacement.
The patent pending design features an all stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, and an outer shield and inner seal for exceptional protection from liquids and debris. The unique outer shield acts as a momentary seal when subjected to a stream of high velocity fluids, while the inner seal prevents liquid from entering the wheel, and retains the internal lubrication grease.
For more information on how it works, visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html
Bishop-Wisecarver Appoints New VP of Operations
February 19, 2009 by Motion Control Tips Editor
Filed under Linear Motion
Pittsburg, CA – - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced it has appointed Mike Citro, a 40-year veteran in the profession, VP of Operations. Citro will lead the company’s manufacturing, quality, purchasing and engineering teams. With an emphasis on Continuous Improvement in all aspects of the manufacturing operations, he will identify opportunities to continually improve and implement strategies to optimize resources and process standards.
Mike Citro
After owning his own manufacturing business for 20 years and being the Director of Operations of Micropump for 11 years, Citro became an independent consultant for a few years, working with major corporations using lean principals to implement change and boost plant efficiencies. His extensive experience and achievements utilizing Toyota production principals led to a 9 year role as Director of Operations and General Manager at Tuthill Pump Group, previously a client of his successful consulting practice. Under Citro’s leadership, Tuthill’s product quality increased many-fold, and on-time orders more than doubled. Tuthill then appointed Citro to improve a specific product line at Tuthill Transfer Systems in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a $95M/year business.
An advocate of career technical education with a desire to mentor promising young students, he also taught Manufacturing Technology evening courses at junior colleges and for the National Tooling and Machining Association, where he was a national officer for 12 years.
“I am encouraged by Bishop-Wisecarver’s employees’ willingness to embrace change, an attitude I have seldom encountered at previous projects,” says Citro. “I am a fanatic about customer service, and I look forward to implementing Toyota production principals to support that conviction, and take the company to the next level.”
www.bwc.com
DualVee® Washdown Wheels from Bishop-Wisecarver
January 13, 2009 by Motion Control Tips Editor
Filed under Linear Motion
Pittsburg, CA – - Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announces its new patent pending washdown wheels, the latest addition to the company’s signature DualVee product line. Designed primarily to meet the extreme demands of food processing equipment linear motion applications, the washdown wheel significantly extends bearing life, and is interchangeable with standard vee wheels for ease of replacement.
Available in sizes 2 and 3, DualVee washdown wheels feature an all stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, an outer shield, and inner seal for added protection from liquids and debris. The rubberized metallic shield acts as a momentary seal when subjected to a stream of high velocity washdown fluid. The fluid velocity causes the rubberized shield to deflect and conform to the metallic surface of the wheel, sealing against ingress of liquids. The inner seal provides the principal line of defense, ensuring that external fluids are kept out of the wheel while retaining the internal lubrication grease; both important factors affecting the life of the wheel. Once the stream is directed away from the wheel, the deflected shield returns to its original position, allowing any residual fluid that entered the zone between the shield and seal to drain out or be spun out by centrifugal force.
For more information on DualVee washdown wheels visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html.
www.bwc.com
