Mechanical Components

Austrian bearing specialist NKE Austria has developed a modular bearing system for planetary gears in wind turbine gearboxes. The new bearing assemblies offer the advantages of a standardisation of the bearings used in this application, a reduced diversity of parts and simplified logistics. The system is already in use in the 1.5 MW, 2 MW and 2.5 MW wind turbine gearboxes of a well-known German gearbox manufacturer.

Available from sole UK distributor, R. A. Rodriguez, is the latest edition of the KAYDON® slewing ring and turntable bearing catalogue. It contains several new products and makes it even easier for design engineers to choose the best bearing for their application.

Ruland Manufacturing Company has introduced new quick clamping shaft collars. The new collars do not mar the shaft, do not require tools and are designed for quick adjustments. They are ideal for light duty applications with frequent setup changes or adjustments or where the need for tools is not practical. The quick clamping collars are designed with a low profile clamping lever which makes them suitable for rotating and stationary applications. Industries such as printing and packaging, as well as others, can benefit from the use of quick clamping collars to retain frequently changed items, such as rolls of media, or for rapid and precise adjustments of guide rails or other setup fixturing.

Renold Gears has long been known for high quality power transmission equipment, the roots of which can be traced back to the John Holroyd company which was established, and started manufacture, at the start of the last century.

A low sump life of just eight months wasn’t the only problem that Sauer Danfoss was experiencing with its existing metalworking fluid. The bad odour from the mineral emulsion was also causing health and safety problems. Machine cleanliness was an additional concern and foaming was compromising the metalworking processes. By changing to a Master Chemical product however, Sauer Danfoss rectified every issue.

Jena Tec has secured a long term contract with a customer in China for the supply of a high precision spindle used in an accurate CNC turning machine. The Asian customer will be producing highly accurate machine tools principally for export to Europe and North America and will utilise Jena Tec’s high performance spindle to satisfy the demanding requirements of small precision turned components.

Locking systems are a significant area of cabinet functionality and cost. Consequently the EMKA rod locking system has addressed this by standardising on a single 20.1mm rounded square cutout and by use of an extensive range of compatible components. This minimises tooling, speeds punching and streamlines lock installation irrespective of type or size.

With the economic and social benefits of air travel comes increased responsibility for minimising environmental impact and that is the purpose of a newly refurbished laboratory at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton. The facility is housed on campus in the Rolls Royce University Technology Centre in Gas Turbine Noise. It is an anechoic chamber in which detailed measurement and analysis of the noise emission from Rolls Royce aero engine components is now being undertaken. The results will help researchers understand how and why these components generate noise with the ultimate aim of developing noise reduction technologies.

Easy automation is the main focus of the HepcoMotion® stand at Machine Building 2009. A world renowned specialist in linear motion technology, this British company is also carving out a niche for itself as a designer and manufacturer of complete linear systems. All the customer has to do is provide an outline specification. HepcoMotion® will then design it on 3D CAD, accommodate any modifications that need to be made, assemble and thoroughly test the system before despatching it for integration. This eliminates risk for the specifier as HepcoMotion® has the expertise and manufacturing capability to create a system that is fully fit for purpose.

Standard components from market leader Elesa have many advantages – quality, fit and performance being crucial aspects as well as cost savings associated with these benefits. An often overlooked aspect however is the great deal of R&D that goes into the production of each individual component. This is especially apparent in their range of hydraulic breather caps for pressurised tank systems.