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Want More Precise Assembly? Use Fewer
Constraints
Exact part location and minimal clearances seem like the Holy Grail
of precision mechanical systems. But insisting on the slimmest
tolerances can make assembly and disassembly difficult. Assembly
processes can fail because of tolerance stack-up, human error, or
volumetric changes in mating parts.
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The Hidden Cost of Standard Parts
Engineers often think that assembling finished products from
standard components is efficient — if they just look at the price of
the parts. But look at the time it takes to bring a concept into
production and you may see a whole different picture.
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Featured video: What's up with UAV engine
technology
The big news in aerospace powerplants is the effort underway to get
engines to work with a variety of fuels. The Turbine Technologies PT-50
turboshaft engine is one example. It runs on heavy fuel and is designed
for UAVs needing a 50-HP-class engine. It weighs in at just 30.6 pounds.
This EngineeringTV.com video explains how they get this sort of power
density in an engine this size.
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Worm gearboxes
IronHorse worm gearboxes have double-lipped embedded oil seals to
prevent leakage. The unit’s one-piece cast-iron housing features a
C-flange input and carbon-steel shaft with right-hand or dual-shaft
output. The gearboxes, designed to change drive direction by 90°,
mount in any direction except with the motor pointing up.
An aluminum-bronze-cast main gear is harder than typically used phosphor
bronze. A one-piece output shaft hub secures the heavy-duty output shaft
bearing, and both shaft ends have double bearing sets. Four frame sizes
are available and six gear ratios from 5:1 to 60:1.
More Information:
AutomationDirect
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XYZ-axis stages
Line of XYZ-axis stages now includes over 40 new items. Many of the
new stages feature a precise linear ball-guide system that creates a
gothic arch-groove ball guide on both the upper and lower side of the
stage body. The two arcs and four ball contact points improve rigidity.
A low-temp black chrome plating is available for applications requiring
low-light reflectivity or operation in harsh environments. Materials of
construction include aluminum with black anodizing, brass, or 440C
stainless with electroless nickel plating. Dovetail, linear-ball, and
crossed-roller styles with rack and pinion, feed screw, or micrometer
head-feed mechanisms are offered.
More Information:
Misumi USA
Inc.
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Engineering TV is an innovative online video program
by engineers for engineers. Twice a week, each 5-8 minute episode shows
cutting-edge technology in
action and looks behind the scenes as today's engineers shape tomorrow's
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Engineering groups.
View
Videos
Rev up your interdisciplinary design skills
What happens when a microcontroller turns on a power FET, sending a
current pulse to a motor coil that develops a magnetic field which turns
the rotor shaft, advancing a timing belt that drives a pair of nip rolls
suspended on bearings in a web-processing operation on a form, fill, and
seal machine installed on a potato chip line at a Frito Lay plant in
central California? And how can you be sure that the encoders, prox
sensors, and other feedback devices you plan to use will accurately see
and report every relevant motion, machine state, and process condition?
And will the signals get through the networks fast enough, without being
corrupted, giving the controllers time to execute their algorithms as
intended? It's a lot to think about, and it only scratches the surface
of what many engineers grapple with today. If you happen to be one of
them, then the place for you — where you can find answers and meet
others with similar concerns — is www.Mechatronic-Design.com.
Backed by some of engineering's top information sources including
Machine Design, Electronic Design, Motion System Design, and Power
Electronics, Mechatronic-Design.com is the interdisciplinary engineer's
desktop, toolbox, library, and lifeline in one easily accessible
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Find. Learn. Apply.
Mechatronic-Design.com.
Experience National Instruments Technologies From
the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
 With more
than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive
tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is
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Begin your search here with a collection of
webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.
CAD Library offers advanced CAD Resources
The Machine Design CAD
Library, includes millions of configurable 2D and 3D CAD models
of
components and assemblies downloadable for easy use in new and existing
designs. Our models are in native CAD formats. No translation
required!
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Sponsored
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UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS
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Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design
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Zero-Max Corporation
The new CD couplings feature zero backlash precision and high torsional
stiffness required in today's demanding servo motor applications with
high reverse loads and positioning requirements. Newly improved CD
couplings are designed with new clamp style hubs for increased torque
capacity on shafts without using keyways.
Now you can select and configure the exact CD® coupling solution for
your coupling application with 3D Partstream, the configurable 3D CAD
downloads at www.zero-max.com
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