Updated May 2016. || Application-tailored and custom gearboxes are increasingly common, mainly because they’re easier than ever to manufacture to specification. That’s not to say that the design work isn’t challenging. However, modern manufacturing lets some suppliers make gearboxes and components to meet specific application requirements. New supplier approaches to giving engineering support as well […]
How to select a pneumatic actuator: An engineer’s guide
Updated April 2015. || Driving linear-motion applications with pneumatic actuators (or air cylinders) is a relatively easy and inexpensive approach. The actuator technology has existed for more than 50 years, but better piston seals and rod wiper seals (of modern materials) make pneumatic actuators more resilient and efficient than ever. These seals reduce leakage and […]
How to size and select belts and pulleys: An Engineer’s Guide
Updated May 2016 || Industrial belt drives consist of rubber belts that wrap around drive pulleys, in turn driven by electric motors. In a typical setup, the belt also wraps around one or more idler pulleys that keep the belt taut and on track. More after the jump. The main reasons that engineers pick drives […]
What are gears for power transmission? Technical summary for design engineers
Updated February 2020 || The function of a gear is to mesh with other gears to transmit altered torque and rotation. In fact, gearing can change the speed, torque and direction of motion from a drive source. Geometry & general gear design When two gears with an unequal number of teeth engage, the mechanical advantage […]
What are dc motors and how do definitions vary? Technical summary for engineers
Updated May 2019. || Dc motors are motion components that take electrical power in the form of direct current (or some manipulated form of direct current) and convert it into mechanical rotation. The motors do this through the use of magnetic fields that arise from the electric currents to spur rotation of a rotor fixed […]