When selecting an open gear lubricant for use in a particular application, the method of application used must be considered.

Big components aim to revive the North American industrial market.

In this special news section, the editors of Power Transmission Engineering have gathered the latest product news and information from the gears and gear drives sector.

During the qualification campaign of the NIRSpec (near-infrared spectrometer) instrument mechanism, the actuator could not achieve the expected lifetime that had been extended during the development phase. The initial design could not be adapted to the requested number of revolutions during that phase. Consequently the actuator needed to be modified so that the function of the mechanism would not be endangered or, by extension, the overall function of the NIRSpec instrument. The modification included a change of the overall actuator design—internal dimensions, tolerances, materials, lubrication and assembly process—while keeping the interface to the mechanism, mass and function.

A Q&A with N.K. Chinnusamy, president of Excel Gear of Roscoe, IL.

Much of the industrial energy being consumed by systems is wasted through inefficiency. For this article, a system will be defined as the following components working together: electrical input power, variable frequency drives, induction motors, gearboxes and transmission elements (chains, belts, etc.).