August 2014
August 2014 (Complete Issue PDF)
Feature Articles
Industrial Automation North America and MDA NA at IMTS 2014
It's not a show title that rolls off the tongue, but the Industrial Automation North America and MDA NA @IMTS 2014 show nevertheless may well be one to remember.
MDA - IANA 2014 Showstoppers
Special Advertising Section
Wall to Wall Technology
With the addition of Industrial Automation North America (IANA) as well as Motion, Drive & Automation North America(MDA NA), IMTS 2014 has greatly expanded its range of manufacturing technology services. These co-located shows complement the metalworking solutions found at IMTS by bringing in key suppliers from around the world.
No Time to Kill for Barge Operation
The scene is serene and picturesque.
Sunshine reflects off the light chop of the Ohio River, as a barge winds its way into view. While those driving
along Louisvilleâ™s River Road may be inclined to reach for a camera to capture this idyllic scene, the mood
at Nugent Sand Company is anything but tranquil.
Critical Factors for Proper Product Selection and Sizing
"Well begun is half done," a quote that most reference materials attribute to Aristotle, certainly applies when selecting mechanical power transmission
products. A selection process that is well thought out at the start can ensure that the product selected will be properly sized and appropriate to the application at hand.
Technical Articles
Dude - Where's My Preload
Many of us have been there; the bearings had the correct preload. You know it, you were there, and you personally saw the measurements. Now, the testing is done and the preload is gone. Not a little gone, not sort of gone - gone, gone. Finger pointing ensues. Suppliers are dragged in by their wrinkly Polo collars. You know the drill. Losing preload in a tapered roller bearing (TRB) system over the life of your application can be a troublesome problem, particularly for gear sets that are prone to noise or
severe applications that rely on a very rigid and stable system.
Testing of Alternative Spiral Bevel and Hypoid Gear Theory
Following is a presentation of a gear design based upon a theoretically perfect gear technology, for which an overview is offered for consideration. What follows is a report on the design's testing and subsequent manufacture of a hypoid gear pair for a 1999 Ford Mustang.
The Reluctance Motor Springs Forth
There are three major types of reluctance motors: all three reluctance motors are non-permanent magnet, brushless motors. They are synchronous motors with a non-linear relationship between torque and current. The variable-reluctance step and switched-reluctance motors utilize the principle of magnetic attraction by inducing magnet poles within the soft-iron rotor, and by energizing a set of coils wound around stator teeth resident in the laminated stator. These two reluctance motors must be sequentially excited to achieve continuous, steady-state rotation. The design of all reluctance motors requires finite element analysis (FEA) software.
Departments
Why MDA Matters (Publishers Page)
Most of you probably think you know what
IMTS is aboutâ”machine tools, cutting tools, and various manufacturing processes. And if you stick to the North, South and West halls, youâ™ll be mostly right. But thereâ™s a substantial group of exhibitors in the East building that are dedicated to automation, motion control and mechanical components.
Das (Human) Kapital (Market Update)
Columnist Brian Langenberg provides a current outlook update, key findings
from a recent energy sector conference, and takes another look at education and employment.
Choosing the Right Grade - Specifying Stainless Bearing Steel (Ask the Expert)
A reader asks: I've determined that a stainless steel bearing is the best option for my application. I'm being asked to specify the grade of stainless steel in my product design. I'm not sure which grade to select and specify. Can you help?
Net-Forged Bevel and Transmission Gears (Ask the Expert)
What are the applications for net-forged gears. Are they used outside automotive differentials?
Product News (Product News)
The complete Product News section from the August 2014 issue of Power Transmission Engineering
Calendar (Events)
The complete technical Calendar from the August 2014 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
Industry News (Industry News)
The complete Industry News section from the August 2014 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
Solving the Longitude Challenge (Power Play)
300-Year-Old discovery remains vital to scientific research today.