Experienced operators can often tell if a machine is not working properly, on the basis that it does not ‘sound right.’ The same principle can be applied — using modern electronics — to identify the exact cause of the problem. Sensitive accelerometers can detect and analyze the vibrations from industrial equipment, highlighting problems such as misalignment or bearing imbalance. The technique is known as vibration analysis. It can identify bearing failure in the very early stages, when there is a microscopic defect on the raceway, for example. The problem is that the identifying signal is usually drowned out in all the other noise emanating from the machine.

One of the best things about being a journalist — whether for example it be reporting on manufacturing, politics, show business, or anything else — is being paid to “go to school” and learning about any number of things that you were perhaps ignorant of at the outset.

A nose-in-the-tent peek at the booths featuring mechanical motion components.

The U.S. is a very attractive market for international firms with manufacturing solutions, and we see that trend continuing. This year (Hannover Fairs USA has) secured a tremendous amount of interest from international exhibitors and attendees, which demonstrate growing interest in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Where to find the gearboxes, bearings, couplings and other components.

Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind Turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind into mechanical power.

Richard (RJ) Seguin, CBS and technical sales representative at AMI Bearings, explains how his bearing expertise tripled the life of a customer’s bearings.

End users and OEMs frequently specify "lubed-for-life" mounted bearings, thinking the lubed-for-life bearings will deliver the same life — without lubrication — as bearings that currently require periodic lubrication. The truth is it depends on many factors, and only a detailed review of the application and testing will provide a more accurate answer.

For a 5-megawatt wind turbine prototype, aerodyn employs the latest control and software technologies, including a comprehensive PC-based control solution and the new modular TwinCAT Wind Framework. The TwinCAT Wind Framework features the latest software engineering and Big Data applications to extend current Industry 4.0 concepts to the wind energy industry. The modular software supports, for example, the direct provision of sensor data to the operator’s database, and in general enables the easy adaption of the wind turbine operation management to future requirements.

Just as we now consider rotary dial phones archaic, so are many installed synchronous belt drives. That they continue to operate is testimony to their durability. But that should not prevent you from taking advantage of newer synchronous belt drive technology that can improve both equipment design and field installations.