Mechanical Components

In response to a customer requirement, Item has introduced a new bracket which accommodates a central M16 threaded hole to suit any M16 knuckle foot with an 80mm base diameter.

Twiflex modular brakes are providing up to 35 MNm of total braking torque on two 8-metre ball mills, which are part of South Africa's - and probably the world's - biggest platinum concentrator, at Anglo Platinum's Mogalakwena (previously PPRust) mine near Mokopane. The new concentrator ex­pands milling capacity by 600,000 tons per month, producing an additional 230,000 ounces of platinum per annum and bringing total platinum production at the mine to 430, 000 ounces per year.

BEI Industrial Encoders’ new linear cable transducer provides digital position and speed feedback information in a rugged, easy-to-install package. Model LT25 cable transducer utilizes a flexible measuring cable mounted to an internal spring-loaded spool and a quadrature encoder output to precisely measure linear motion applications. The sturdy cable is made of nylon coated stainless steel for ultimate strength and has a measurement range up to 125 inches.

Festo has launched an electrically-operated pneumatic soft-start and exhaust valve that provides safer start-up and quick and reliable venting of compressed air supplies in the event of an emergency. Known as the MS6-SV, the valve provides machine builders with a compact, all-in-one solution for maximising the safety of automation systems. It is fully compliant with the new EN ISO 13849-1 standard on machinery safety and is certified to categories 3 & 4.

Trevor Morris, Product Engineering Manager at The Barden Corporation (UK) Limited, discusses how super precision bearings are helping to guarantee the accuracy and flexibility of the latest articulated arms used in surgical and industrial robotics.

More than 300 FAG spherical roller bearings from Schaeffler (UK) Ltd are providing support for a new retractable roof at Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Steinmeyer, Inc. announced an exciting new addition to its line of precision linear stages. Manufactured by our FMD division, Dresden Germany, the model PMT320 offers a repeatability of +/- 1 micron, excellent straightness run-out accuracy and travel distances from 600 to 1500 mm. The stage has a 320 mm wide die cast base profile and the 1000 mm stroke stage weighs 70 kg.

A new high performance, general purpose, elastomer coupling has been introduced by Rexnord. The company says it offers 25% higher torque ratings and 40% greater stiffness than its equivalent standard elastomer coupling range.

Item have introduced a die-cast Base Plate 8, 40x40 M10 to their Aluminium profile machine construction kit.

The KHK range of metric gears from R. A. Rodriguez is already considered to be one of the most comprehensive with 80 standard gear products and more than 3,500 individual items. Japanese manufacturer, KHK, has however found room for even more variation. Its product programme has recently been boosted by 570 configurations of fine pitch gears.