Ideally engineers would anticipate the need for overload protection in a drivetrain and include it in the original design. But overload problems often only appear after equipment is in use. Such designs require torque-limiter retrofits, even if existing assembly geometry is tight. Making the issue more challenging is that end users often want a solution […]
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Application: Gearboxes drive an innovative PARKPLUS AGV-based automated parking garage
PARKPLUS is a designer and builder of both mechanical and fully automated high-density parking setups for North America. The manufacturer recently developed an advanced parking system based on free-roaming battery-operated AGVs with omnidirectional maneuverability. Drivers pull their cars into a vehicle-receiving area and onto a large waiting platform called a tray. Then an AGV goes […]
Space-age engineering: How the Jetsons undermined the understanding of an entire (gear) industry
By Brian Dengel | General Manager • KHK USA Inc. For those of us of a certain age, the thoughts of flying cars and home robots originated with watching popular 1960s cartoon The Jetsons. The Jetsons’ world was that of a simple family living a typical 1960s life, but in a futuristic setting. Mr. George […]
What is pitch line velocity and why is it important?
In gearbox sizing, it’s important to determine the required input speed in rpm and ensure that it doesn’t exceed the gearbox’s maximum speed capability. But the linear velocity of the gear teeth, known as pitch line velocity, also plays a significant role in gearbox performance. Pitch line velocity is measured at the pitch line of […]
Lightning Systems readies new zero-emission LightningElectric for Ford Transit
Lightning Systems has announced it is accepting pre-orders for its new zero-emissions LightningElectric system for Ford Transit.The LightningElectric battery conversion package is available for Ford Transit as part of Ford Motor Company’s eQVM program. The product will be available first on heavy-duty Transits with a 10,360-lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Conversions and service are […]
Worm gears: What are they and where are they used?
Worm gears are found in industrial applications, heavy equipment, and even consumer applications. Although their efficiency is relatively low, they can provide very high reduction ratios and, in many cases, are self-locking. Worm gears are constructed of a worm and a gear (sometimes referred to as a worm wheel), with non-parallel, non-intersecting shafts oriented 90 […]
New AniCNC application software for Class-5 SmartMotor from Moog Animatics
Moog Animatics of Moog Inc. now sells AniCNC application software exclusively for use with the Class 5 SmartMotor. When coupled with the Class 5 SmartMotor, the AniCNC software setup provides a graphical Human-Machine Interface (HMI), G-code editing and runtime environment and other built-in features to tackle milling, routing, machining, shaping and related projects. An offline […]
Jim Williams and Chris Curran to lead PTDA in 2018
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) elected its 2018 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council at the annual business meeting during the recent NIBA/PTDA Joint Industry Summit in Hollywood, Fla. Jim Williams, vice president corporate purchasing & supplier relations, Motion Industries Inc. (Birmingham, Ala.) will become PTDA’s president in 2018. He succeeds Tom Clawser. Williams […]
Using a dedicated pulse control LSI vs. a CPU for motion control
Pulse control LSIs specialize in motion control, and feature high operational reliability. Jerame Chamberlain Nippon Pulse In motion control, acceleration and deceleration are central to the move profiles used to control a motor. Good acceleration and deceleration control ensures quick and accurate positioning, and fast settling without damaging equipment or materials. For instance, consider a […]
PTDA Foundation presents Wendy B. McDonald Award to Tribby Warfield
To honor the memory of Wendy B. McDonald, one of the power transmission/motion control industry’s true pioneers, the PTDA Foundation established the Wendy B. McDonald Award. The award acknowledges a woman who has established herself as a critical contributor to her company’s success and has affected positive change within the power transmission/motion control industry. The […]