In the realm of tractor gearbox applications, gear whine noise has long been a persistent challenge that significantly impacts the user experience and overall perceived performance of the vehicle. This paper delves into a comprehensive study that discusses the approach to tackling this issue through a combination of design optimizations, simulation techniques and physical validation processes.
The KISSsoft System Module is a user-friendly tool also for load spectrum calculation designed for gearboxes. It incorporates nominal boundary conditions, variable forces on shafts, gear shifts, and hence changes in the power flow and operating mode variations. This complexity allows comprehensive calculations based on actual operating data, such as vehicle simulations or in situ measurements.
The FVA-Workbench is a manufacturer-neutral solution for modeling, parameterization, and simulation of transmission systems. Version 10 was released on February 17, 2025, to make gearbox design even more efficient. For drive technology professionals, the FVA-Workbench is an indispensable tool for reliable modeling, calculation, and optimization of complex drive systems and transmission elements. The software bundles 50 years of research and development from the FVA expert network into a single platform, making its collected knowledge directly applicable for industrial practice.
GWJ Technology is starting a new seminar schedule in 2025. This year, GWJ is once again offering a wide range of different seminars that can be booked as online seminars or, if desired, as traditional face-to-face events. The online seminars are designed to be interactive and provide a comprehensive insight into the respective topic. Practical exercises deepen the content. Online seminars take place over two or three days and last two hours each.
Study uses a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the influence of tolerances on the load capacity.
Tooth contact analysis is an integral part of the gear design process. With the help of these simulation tools, it is possible to calculate the excitation caused by a tooth contact (Ref. 1). Usually, the load-free transmission error or the total transmission error under load is used for this purpose. However, the calculation with the tooth contact analysis ZAKO3D allows only a quasi-static consideration of the excitation. To better evaluate the behavior in the overall system, it is therefore necessary to perform a dynamics simulation. However, the main disadvantage of such dynamics simulations is the much longer computing time compared to quasi-static tooth contact analyses due to the high computational effort.
Since taking over as CEO of Solve Industrial Motion Group in June 2024, Ernie Lauber has focused on continuous improvement, predictive maintenance and growing the legacy brands within Solve.
Combining brands such as IPTCI, MasterDrive, PTI and TRITAN together with the LMS, SST, SPB-USA and USA Roller product lines, Solve Industrial Motion Group is a provider of high-quality metric and American Standard power transmission components and industrial-grade bearings.
Bonfiglioli is present at SPS Nuremberg from November 12-14. At Booth 450 in Hall 3A, Bonfiglioli showcases its comprehensive mechatronic proposal covering AMRs, material handling, logistics automation and packaging along with IIoT capabilities. Eyes also on electronics, with the solutions developed by Selcom.
Walk into any manufacturing plant in the United States and you are likely to see 50-year-old men and women working hard. These skilled craftsmen and women have earned the respect of their peers by performing year after year. While 50-year-old workers are commonplace, 50-year-old equipment…not so much. When that equipment happens to be a dynamometer, and it gets shipped back to the manufacturer for review and rebuild, it will invariably get nicknamed “dyno-saur.”
The increasing demand for compact servo drives in mechanical engineering has led to a corresponding need for smaller gearboxes that are suitable for these drives. In response to this market need, Neugart is introducing three new precision planetary gearboxes in frame size 055: the PSBN055, PSN055, and PSFN055. These new additions extend the proven capabilities of the Precision Line portfolio.
The KISSsoft System Module is an intuitive, versatile, and adaptable tool for modeling and analyzing entire gear systems. It is an integral part and module of the KISSsoft software and accelerates sizing and optimization along the whole design process. Considering the needs of customers, KISSsoft's goal is to assist with the migration of the existing models to the System Module and for a smooth transition, it is highly recommended to start with the current release.
At MINExpo, Dana Incorporated debuted a new certified remanufacturing program for Dana Spicer Off-Highway drivetrain components that extends equipment life cycles, supports sustainability initiatives, and improves return on investment.
Nine months into building the most powerful test bench for main bearings to date, R&D Test Systems, Denmark’s wind turbine test specialist, has completed the 3,700 metric ton foundation and is now designing and welding the test bench parts that will perform extreme test loads on main bearings for 25 MW wind turbines. With delivery in 2025, the test bench is bound for LORC’s new main bearing test facility.
MINExpo boasts 1,900+ companies involved in the global mining industry. Opening sessions allow the industry to come together to debate global challenges, market fluctuations and the future of mining. Resources include exploration, mine site development, open pit mining, underground mining, smelting and refining, processing and preparation and reclamation. Here’s a sample of the companies exhibiting and the products/technologies they will be featuring in Las Vegas from September 24–26, 2024.
Regal Rexnord Corporation has added two new models to its portfolio of Boston Gear Gen2 SS700 Series stainless steel worm gearboxes. The new sizes bring the full product lineup to seven. A larger output shaft bore expands the number of applications each model of gearbox can support, providing flexibility and versatility for customers in a range of industries, including food, beverage and pharmaceuticals.
ZF Wind Power has announced a major milestone for the Indian market: the total production of 50 GW gearbox capacity at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Coimbatore, India. This achievement underlines ZF’s commitment to India's renewable energy landscape, while strengthening their position as a strategic partner on the road to a sustainable future.
Redex USA is pleased to announce it will showcase its portfolio of high-performance drives for machine tool applications at IMTS Level 3, Booth #236016.
Portescap highlights the B16C gearbox as an ideal solution for optimizing infusion pump designs. This innovative spur gearing solution is tailored for engineers aiming to optimize their infusion pumps without sacrificing performance or reliability. The B16C's compact design reduces the overall length by 3 to 4 mm compared to similar motor/gearbox composites, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained applications.
The Timken Company has agreed to acquire CGI Inc., a Nevada-based manufacturer of precision drive systems serving a broad range of automation markets with a concentration in medical robotics. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close in the third quarter.
Demand for specialty wire and cable—fueled in part by data center expansion as well as new charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs)—is in turn creating greater demand for cable production capacity. As you design machines that will satisfy the demand, you’ll want to incorporate an effective driving method that controls speed and torque with the highest precision.
Verification of a drive system should include all main elements of the system, which are gears, bearings, shafts, and depending on the application other parts such as screws, couplings, and connections. Gears are clearly the most complicated parts for verification, but in many cases, a gearbox failure has its origin in a shaft or bearing failure. The subject of this paper is to explain how verification of a drive system based on measured or simulated torque-speed-time data can be handled.
The Lego Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle—LRV set is a detailed 1:8 scale model of the original moon buggy used by NASA’s last three Apollo crews. Comprising 1,913 pieces, this set follows Lego’s earlier releases of the Saturn V rocket and Apollo 11 lunar module. The new Lego set will be available in stores on August 1.
The landscape of the global precision gearbox and geared motor market is undergoing significant transformation and is expected to grow by over 10 percent in 2025, as it recovers from an earlier than anticipated dip in 2023 and 2024. According to the latest data from market intelligence specialist Interact Analysis, strong demand will generate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9 percent - with the market increasing from $3.29 billion to $4.8 billion - between 2023 and 2028.
Mona Neubaur, deputy prime minister and minister of economic affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, recently presented the NRW.Global Business Award 2024 to Flender CEO Andreas Evertz. Flender was one of four winners honored at the 20th anniversary of the Award at the K21 Ständehaus in Düsseldorf.
MINExpo boasts 1,900+ companies involved in the global mining industry. Opening sessions allow the industry to come together to debate global challenges, market fluctuations and the future of mining. Resources include exploration, mine site development, open pit mining, underground mining, smelting and refining, processing and preparation and reclamation.
Siemens Mobility has invested in its Cornellà factory to significantly expand production capacity and the product portfolio.
GWJ Technology GmbH has presented a new version of its desktop solution TBK with numerous enhancements, particularly in the field of gearing. The TBK calculation software has been used successfully worldwide for more than four decades to dimension gears, shafts, connections, bearings, and other machine elements as well as complete gearboxes. With its various interfaces to 3D CAD systems, the TBK software is a powerful calculation tool for development, design, work planning, production, and quality assurance.
This week at Hannover Messe, Dana Incorporated is highlighting its broad range of next-generation motion systems offering superior performance, durability, and sustainability across the entire spectrum of industrial applications.
Located in Hall 6, Stand D48/1, Dana will feature its recently updated Brevini gearboxes and winches, as well as field-proven GWB industrial driveshafts.
As engineers, we all know how to quickly create a sketch of a gearbox or transmission using a few lines. Using maybe black for shafts, green for bearings, blue for gears and red to indicate the power flow. We do this to remember a great idea, communicate with customers or to pass time waiting at an airport.
KISSsoft emulates this approach in a much more orderly fashion. Using only the mouse, complex schematics can be drawn and edited, thereby converting the structure of a gearbox into a logical and 3D model. The schematic in the Sketcher also serves as a navigation and visualization tool and is complemented by an overview of some of the key data (e.g. module and number of teeth) of the components making up the gearbox.
Bonfiglioli recently inaugurated Bonfiglioli Academy at Chennai Institute of Technology, marking a new milestone in their journey of cutting-edge technological innovation. This collaboration with the institute is a powerful example of bringing academic expertise and industry leadership together. Bonfiglioli is confident that this partnership will redefine research and development and create an environment where theoretical knowledge meets practical application.
It's no secret that cycloidal gearboxes are important in mechanical engineering, especially when it comes to precision motion control and efficient power transmission. The gear systems differ from harmonic wave/strain wave gearboxes by using a cycloidal disk and needle bearings to transmit torque with minimum backlash, achieve high reduction ratios, and support substantial loads. This Sumitomo Drive Technologies blog will talk about single-stage and multi-stage cycloidal gearboxes.
Spline rumble is characterized by a multiple low shaft order droning noise. It arises in electrified vehicle (EV) powertrains due to excitation at the spline connection between the motor rotor and the transmission input. It is caused by the interactions between manufacturing errors. In this article SMT will be looking at how MASTA can be used to predict rumble in a modern EV gearbox with a three-bearing input assembly layout.
Compact and lightweight – such is the most common requirement for the gearboxes of emission-free, electric drives. With seven basic gearboxes, the LPI series by Liebherr fulfils exactly this need for high power density. With their low weight, reduced installation space and torque ranges from 20,000 Nm to 350,000 Nm, they are ideally suited as drives for crawler and crawler undercarriages. Customized large gearboxes are even available up to the maximum torque of 2,300,000 Nm.
Half a million global visitors visit Aiguille du Midi as an access point for skiing in the winter and hiking, rock climbing and paragliding in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. The mountain—part of the French Alps—boasts the current title of employing “the world’s highest vertical ascent cable car.” This unique transportation takes passengers from 3,396 to 12,605 ft. above the clouds. The planetary gearboxes needed for the cable car operation are provided by CMD Gears.
For this paper, the digital twin refers to a digital asset that exists alongside the physical asset during its operational life, providing insight into and feedback on the physical asset’s performance and health. Thus, the focus is on the DTI, with the potential to aggregate data into a DTA for the gearbox design being considered, and within the DTE set up by Hexagon.
In respect of the physical asset across its life, nothing is more important about its performance than its ability to function, i.e., reliability, and for CAE, nothing is of greater importance than to be able to predict the reliability of a product being designed. Thus, for this study, whilst gearbox noise, efficiency, and thermal behavior may be of interest, the primary interest is fatigue and reliability.
With the release of version 9, the FVA-Workbench once again sets new standards in gearbox design, enabling the seamless integration of the latest research results into industrial practice. As a groundbreaking interface between collective research and application, the FVA-Workbench accelerates development and innovation in drive technology. This new release is more powerful than ever, with innovative features for flexible load spectra and improvements in FEM components and shaft-hub connections.
Drive specialist Flender has received the Supplier Excellence Recognition Award 2023 from U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar. Flender received the award for maintaining 95 percent delivery reliability and zero defects. This achievement is awarded only to the top suppliers of Caterpillar. It positions Flender as a top supplier for its global Aftermarket (Reman) Division business.
Atlanta Gear Works (AGW) is expanding its support staff by hiring its first Human Resources Specialist, a new position created to meet its expanding HR needs, previously managed by the company’s chief financial officer.
Sumitomo Drive Technologies is expanding its range of precision gear products and upgrading its ECY series with higher torque and a plug & play drive for motor connection. The ECY series comprises high-precision shaft gears, used for example for surface machining in dental technology or in collaborative robots (cobots). Thanks to their internal cylindrical roller bearings, the gear units provide both high rigidity and higher performance in a smaller design envelope.
This report derives the equation for relative elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) film thickness. Mineral (MIN), polyalphaolefin (PAO), and polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricants with viscosity grades of ISO 320, 150, and 32 are analyzed.
Portescap introduces the new R22T gearhead, the latest addition to its existing 22 mm gearbox portfolio. As a mid-torque gearhead, the R22T fills the gap between our light-torque R22 and high-torque R22HT gearheads. It is also fully compatible with Portescap’s brush DC and brushless DC slotless motors.
Motion + Power Technology (MPT) show brings together the gear and power transmission industries for a unique balance of education, new technologies and networking opportunities. The show takes place October 17-19,2023 in Detroit.
Rolling bearing calculations are usually based on the assumption of ideal nominal geometries. However, actual components and assemblies are always subject to statically distributed geometric deviations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly processes. This leads to changes in the internal geometric conditions which have an effect on bearing characteristics such as the service life. The FVA-Workbench makes it possible for users to consider these geometric deviations in bearing calculations for more reliable results.
The loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) is crucial in understanding the deformation of gears and its impact on various factors such as noise generation, contact patterns, contact shocks, and torque variations. With the contact analysis feature in KISSsoft, users can calculate tooth contact under specific torque and speed levels, thereby assessing the performance of gears and gearboxes.
Digital data models and the latest calculation methods lay the foundations for a further improvement in the performance of Generation X.e. SEW-Eurodrive continuously factors the findings of field/test stand trials and simulations into its own calculations, thereby improving their accuracy and reliability. The mechanical and thermal design of the X..e series was once again precisely evaluated on this basis. In conjunction with the component optimizations already implemented in the past, this results in even higher thermal limit ratings, a much longer bearing service life, and higher nominal torques. Moreover, larger application angles are now permissible with the maximum overhung load.
In paper mills throughout the country, gearboxes provide an integral solution for power transmission. Each is selected particularly and directly to perform a specific task in the production of paper. Due to the critical nature of the equipment, all gearboxes are heavily monitored and periodically inspected for preventive maintenance. If necessary, gearboxes can be reconditioned by replacing or repairing components with the intent to rebuild the entire gearbox to OEM specifications.
Intelligent power management company Eaton has announced a new name for its Vehicle Group and eMobility businesses. Eaton’s Mobility Group represents the company’s focus on providing solutions across the propulsion spectrum and meeting the evolving needs of its customers from internal combustion to electrified or a combination of both.
Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America (SMA), operating under the trusted brand name Sumitomo Drive Technologies, and a subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative line of Servo Gearboxes. These new additions to the product portfolio encompass the Servo Cyclo, Servo Hyponic, and Servo Bevel BuddyBox 4.
Technical sales personnel use intelligent features to select suitable motor-gearbox combinations and run calculations based on customer-specific operating data. This provides obvious added value for the customer. Service lives, safeties, and expected loads can all be determined in a short time. Maintenance of the underlying database and the use of simulation tools make it possible to quickly and easily perform technical calculations without having to rely on a central calculation department. In less than a minute, the customer is provided with a data sheet which includes reliable statements about the gearbox based on these technical calculations.
KISSsoft helped AGH Racing students in Poland develop steering column gears in the RTC7.0 race car powered by an internal combustion engine. Then they used the software to develop a gearbox for their new electric AWD drivetrain in the upcoming RTE3.0 car. Most importantly, they could optimize the micro geometry of the gears and analyze the influence of different factors on the durability of the gear tooth. KISSsoft made it easier to apply quick changes in the project, as it adapts other tooth geometry to the ones they were working on.
It seems like everyone is jumping into the electric gearbox market. Even Schaeffler is in the electric drive module (EDM) market now with their own 800v system. With all these new entries, some companies are satisfied with following traditional bearing arrangements while some want new and unique solutions or some combination of both. There is heavy debate over which styles are the best. In this article, we will talk about the different types of 2-bearing arrangements for each shaft with the pros and cons of each for a simple three shaft, single speed parallel axis gearbox (ala Tesla style).
Andantex USA Inc. will be renamed Redex USA Inc., according to Thomas Osygus, vice president of sales and marketing, Redex USA. "Our name is changing, but we will continue to offer the same high-quality motion control systems you’ve come to expect from us for over 40 years."
Nord Drivesystems has seen exponential growth over the last several years as more companies incorporate automation into their workflow. In 2022, they had a record-breaking year and achieved over $1 Billion in sales for the first time in company history. The U.S. subsidiary of this family-owned German company currently operates out of three separate facilities– Corona, CA, Charlotte, NC, and Waunakee, WI, which also serves as their U.S. corporate headquarters.
At the SPS Italia event in Parma, Bonfiglioli presented technologies including its mechatronic solutions for industrial automation, packaging and intralogistics, robotics and IoT.
This paper examines the selection process, operation, maintenance practices, and state of a Sumitomo gearbox after over 24 years of operation. It is demonstrated that a quality product and careful consideration of all these factors are essential for a longer service life of the gearbox. Detailed information is provided on the operation of the gearbox, as well as the maintenance practices that should be taken to ensure its longevity. Finally, the paper examines the state of the gearbox after over two decades of use and how all these factors result in lowering carbon emissions.
The path toward success in mechanical power transmission today hinges on an organization’s ability to provide smart and digital automation solutions. Customers are looking for system components boasting more performance, precision, and cost effectiveness in robotics and industrial automation applications. Schaeffler, the global technology company specializing in solutions for the automotive and industrial sectors, offers a strong and diverse product range not only for large industrial robots, but also for lightweight and collaborative robots (cobots).
Salim Haffar, deputy general manager at I-MAK, was reelected as president of EUROTRANS in 2022. This is Haffar’s third term in this role. PTE recently caught up with Haffar to discuss the evolution of EUROTRANS, the focus of the International Drive Conference at Hannover Messe and the current state of I-MAK’s gearbox business in Turkey.
Electric drives in conveyor systems, lifting equipment, and forklifts are the motors that drive modern, efficient, and reliable intralogistics. ABM Drives Inc. develops and manufactures platform-based systems for stationary and mobile applications. ABM works closely with customers to build drive solutions, including motors, gearboxes, brakes, and frequency inverters tailored for specific applications.
Deutsche Messe is reporting 4,000 exhibitors in 2023 and 130,000+ attendees searching for the latest developments in electrification, sustainability, and digital solutions. While one might wonder if the show will ever reach pre-pandemic levels again, it was obvious there’s still a very focused global manufacturing network looking to solve climate, energy, and automation challenges in the coming years.
In an urgent assignment, a gear has to be designed, with the engineer already knowing the required reduction ratio, torque and speed. On the manufacturing side, the preferred materials, possible qualities and the reference profiles are specified. This initial situation represents an everyday task.
More than a billion people around the world unite to ring in the New Year, their eyes set upon the glittering New Year’s Ball in Manhattan. Thousands are gathered at Times Square — the famed “Bow Tie” of Midtown — braving the December cold and peering through glasses with numerically shaped frames. Millions more tune in from their various screens at home.
With so much riding on its descent, the Ball, along with the mechanical and electrical systems responsible for its operation, must operate like clockwork.
Precision flexible shaft couplings come in two basic forms, both of which are designed to operate without backlash or excessive inertia while compensating for inevitable misalignment offsets between motor/gearbox and load. Torsionally stiff couplings are made with metallic flexible elements and with the intent to eliminate as much twisting deflection as possible so that the rotation of both shafts is kept as well synchronized as can be.
NYCU (National Yang Ming Chia Tung University) Vulpes Racing—founded in 2008—is a Formula Student Team that combines mechanical engineering, industrial design, public relations, video production and marketing expertise.
The earliest example of a gear train dates to at least 2,000 B.C. when Chinese engineers built a chariot that used a complex planetary mechanism made of wooden gears to let a dragon head continuously point south when driven around (Ref. 1). In Greece, a surprisingly advanced Antikythera gearbox mechanism, incorporating at least 37 precisely crafted bronze gears, was built years later, between 205–60 B.C. (Ref. 2).
Difficult general conditions, rapidly rising food and fuel prices, as well as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and related regional lockdowns weighed on economic development and slowed economic growth in the past business year. Nevertheless, Liebherr’s total revenue increased significantly compared to the previous year. The group achieved increased revenue in 10 of its 13 product segments, some of them significant. It thus surpassed its previous record from 2021 by €950 million.
At Interpack in Dusseldorf, the drive specialist Nord Drivesystems will present its wide product portfolio and great expertise in the packaging industry from May 4-10, 2023 – from decentralized frequency inverters to energy-efficient drives to high-performance surface treatments for washdown or spray areas.
Bonfiglioli S.p.A, global leader in the market of drives for industrial automation, wind generators and mobile machinery in the construction, earthmoving and intralogistics sectors, following the communication released on February 7, 2023, is proud to announce that it completed the 100% acquisition of the share capital of Selcom Group.
Sumitomo Drive Technologies and Lafert Group will be jointly exhibiting a new version of their drive for applications in automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems at Logimat 2023 from April 25 to 27 in Stuttgart, Germany (Booth F45, Hall 6). The Smartris Drive Compact is a compact drive that is just a quarter of the size of the standard model.
This study presents a simulation method for considering complex wheel bodies in an analytical tooth contact model. The wheel body is considered using reduced FE stiffness. Reduction points are defined over the width and linked with the analytical gear.
For cylindrical wheel bodies, comparative calculations show fewer deviations from the expected results with the new method. This is due to the additional degrees of freedom in the FEM model. In the calculation with cylindrical wheel bodies, bending due to axial force in tooth contact could also be verified in addition to the deformation in tooth contact and the influence of the shaft-bearing system.
The following article is a collection of products and technologies featured at IFPE and CONExpo/CONAGG 2023.
At this year’s Hannover Messe, NKE Austria GmbH will present bearings for wind turbine gearboxes and generators. The Austrian bearing manufacturer has more than 20 years of experience in the wind energy sector. NKE bearings have been installed in more than 4,000 wind turbines across Europe, the USA and China, equivalent to more than 10,000 MW of installed power.
Sumitomo Drive Technologies, together with Invertek Drives and Lafert Group, will be presenting its complete drive solutions for automation and Industry 4.0 at Hannover Messe 2023. From April 17 to 21, visitors to Hall 6, Booth B25 will learn how they can use energy-efficient drive solutions to meet their sustainability goals while also boosting their competitiveness.
The International Fluid Power Exposition (IFPE), Las Vegas March 14-18, is where fluid power professionals meet to discover highly engineered solutions for improving mobile and industrial equipment's efficiency, performance, and sustainability. Attendees will also learn about the latest technology available to the industry and network to discuss and combat the most pressing industrial challenges.
Gears and gear racks used for transmitting torque and forces within gearboxes are typically made of hardened steel. For many other uses and applications, gears and racks made from plastic are the better choice. These generally require no lubrication and are lighter, quieter, less expensive, and more resistant to corrosion than metal gears. This is why JW Winco is expanding its range with polyamide gears and racks that can transmit high forces and torques.
Today, gearboxes are inevitable in numerous applications requiring high power density including wind turbines, electric vehicles, cranes, robotics, etc. A combination of high-ratio gearboxes with high-speed, low-torque motors is often used to achieve high power density. Planetary gear trains (PGTs) help achieve a high gear ratio in a compact arrangement. Several configurations of planetary gears are widely studied in this article where the gear profiles used in these studies are primarily involute.
With the new SKF Bearing App for the popular Ansys Mechanical Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, engineers no longer need to rely on approximations or complex, unreliable models in their simulations.
Gear Motions is proud to announce that Auto Gear Inc. has joined the Gear Motion’s family. Auto Gear located in Syracuse, New York, specializes in efficient and economical low-volume gearbox production, from design to delivery.
Updated research from Interact Analysis shows the geared motors and industrial gears market experienced strong growth in 2021. The market expanded by 16 percent last year, with the sharp rise driven by price increases. On average, the selling price for geared motors and gearboxes increased by 7.8 percent in 2021, with further price rises forecast in 2022.
Interact Analysis have recently released the 3rd edition of the Geared Motors and Industrial (Heavy-Duty) Gears report. This market study covers finished geared motors and gearboxes for general industrial use, including light- and heavy-duty products, as well as planetary gears, with the exclusion of precision gearboxes and loose gear parts. In this edition, amidst global macroeconomic uncertainty, market trend projections have become more volatile compared to previous years.
For optimal gear design in accordance with requirements, it is essential to consider load spectra under the most realistic conditions possible as early as the virtual basic design phase. This is the only way to ensure that all components are loaded as evenly as possible to avoid overdimensioning.
Optimized design saves resources and costs and improves the CO2 balance – an aspect that is becoming increasingly important in the current environment and can offer a competitive advantage. Load spectrum calculations are also important for replacing complex time and cost-intensive experiments by simulating test rig damage tests.
David Brown Santasalo (DBS) was delighted to recently welcome valued customer, Breedon Cement’s new intake of apprentices, reliability engineers and their mentors to their Park Works, Huddersfield, UK facility for a day of training delivered by DBS’ Development Director, Mike Field.
At the beginning of this year, the automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler acquired Melior Motion GmbH, an innovative manufacturer of precision gearboxes for robotics and automation applications, among others. As of December 1, 2022, Melior Motion GmbH will operate under the name of Schaeffler Ultra Precision Drives GmbH. The aim of the acquisition is to continuously expand the Industrial division’s portfolio of precision gearboxes and to secure a strategically strong position in the dynamically growing market for industrial automation.
GWJ Technology GmbH, based in Braunschweig, Germany, is a leading manufacturer and provider of calculation solutions for mechanical and gear engineering. With its web-based software eAssistant as well as the special software GearEngineer, GWJ supports GaliGear—an interactive learning tool for children.
The goal of increasing the power density of a gear unit demands that extraneous material reserves can be detected and reduced to the necessary level. In this context, it is important to know the influences acting on the gear unit and the resulting loads. FVA examines the precise knowledge of the longitudinal load distribution in the gear meshes during operation, and specification of suitable microgeometries for its optimization, play a decisive role.
Wind-turbine drivetrains undergo severe transient loading during start-ups, shut-downs, emergency stops, and during grid connections. Load cases that result in torque reversals may be particularly damaging to bearings, as rollers may be skidding during the sudden relocation of the loaded zone. Seals and lubrication systems must work reliably over a wide temperature variation to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture and perform effectively at all rotational speeds in the gearbox. Many wind-turbine gearboxes have also suffered from fundamental design issues such as ineffective interference fits that result in unintended motion and wear, ineffectiveness of internal lubrication paths and problems with sealing. Improving the resistance of future gearbox designs to all these issues is a key to the future cost of energy generated by wind turbines.
When your equipment calls for a right angle gearbox, proper sizing makes a difference. A wide range of application factors must be considered, or you will face problems down the road. Possible problems can include increased maintenance, worn teeth and reduced mean time between failure (MTBF). Additionally, an oversized gearbox will cost more money than necessary. This article will provide an overview of how to apply application information to accurately size an Andantex Anglgear right angle gearbox for your installation.
The processing and distribution of grain and feed for tens of millions of chickens requires efficient, dependable equipment and infrastructure. So, when Harrison Poultry President/CEO David Bleth and his team set out last year to design and build their new state-of-the-art feed mill in Crawfordville, GA, they knew exactly where to turn for simple, reliable mechatronic drive solutions for their conveyor systems, elevators, mixers, and screws.
Applied Motion Products New PH Series Mini Planetary Gearmotors are used with small step motors in NEMA 8, 11, and 14 frame sizes. The small design of the gearheads allows them to be paired with small motors and doesn't adversely affect the outside dimensions of the combined gearmotor.
Many applications in the bulk goods and material handling industry include abrasive environments with large temperature fluctuations and rough operating conditions. To meet these formidable challenges, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has engineered solutions that are robust, reliable, and easy to service. Their modular product system includes heavy-duty industrial gear units, high-efficiency electric motors with hazard protection features, and variable frequency drives with flexible functionality.
Regal Rexnord Corporation has reached a definitive agreement with Altra Industrial Motion Corp. providing for Regal Rexnord to acquire 100% of Altra shares.
Altra is a global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of highly engineered motion control, automation, and power transmission solutions. The transaction expands Regal Rexnord's portfolio, customer reach, and product diversity while enabling the creation of shareholder value through enhanced growth and substantial cost synergies.
In its largest order to date, Danish wind turbine test specialist R&D Test Systems will develop the 30 MW powertrain and gearbox test bench for ZF Wind Power’s future “Test & Prototype Center” at Lommel, Belgium. Capable of simulating the multiplicity of wind loads that a nacelle powertrain might experience in its lifetime, the test rig, to be delivered in 2024, will help improve product reliability and shorten time to market.
Stöber Antriebstechnik GmbH + Co. KG rely on the FVA-Workbench for dimensioning and verification of their drives. The calculation and simulation software allows Stöber engineers to develop their innovative gear unit solutions more quickly and efficiently. The result: higher quality products.
What's the latest in software design and simulation in the power transmission market? Here's a recap of some of the latest software solutions for bearings, gears, drivetrains and e-mobility applications.
Bonfiglioli presents the new high performant 800 series which comes in five sizes from 25,000 to 160,000 Nm in marine-resistant paint, suitable for blast cleaning. Easy and fast assembly of the 800 series gearboxes into the winch drum is a key feature of their design. Maintenance requirements are made as simple as possible, e.g., with an easy access to the brake, ready-made brake replacement kits as well as easy access to oil filling, draining plugs, and oil level pipe/indicator.
Atlanta Gear Works has announced a new working agreement with Jim McClain, general manager of McClain Industrial Technologies, Inc., DBA MiTek, a manufacturers’ rep that will help the gearbox repair and manufacturing firm spread its 34-year reputation in pulp and paper to the steel and aluminum industries.
Regal Rexnord Corporation has announced the launch of its new AirMax Pro Smart Breather, a connected device that protects industrial gearboxes from moisture and particles.
Electrification has really brought ball bearings back into focus as the primary bearing in our drive systems. Some boxes have tapers on the slower shafts for stiffness and others are using a ball/cylindrical combo for efficiency. Regardless, we all face the same challenge on the primary shaft in dealing with the potential of 18,000–20,000+ rpm speeds coming out of the motor. Plenty of applications run 20,000 rpm; what makes the automotive motor unique is, in addition to speed, we are driving huge torques, frequent torque reversals and a huge range of temperatures both internally and geographically. Of course, this all needs to be suited for high-volume manufacturing as well. Adding full ceramic balls, a PEEK cage and a high precision classification is a really easy way to run greater than 20,000 rpm all day but is an expensive option. One bearing alone could hurt the cost competitiveness of your gearbox. In the case where a single bearing can change the landscape of your project, it is worth taking a little time to understand exactly what the drivers of our speed limitations are.
Axially space-saving, economical, IP65-compliant and designed for high radial and axial forces at the output: The Neugart WPLHE combines all the advantages of the successful PLHE, as a right-angle variant.
NORD’s LogiDrive complete drive solution reduces planning and commissioning efforts by offering an energy efficient, standardized, and service-friendly system that is Industry 4.0 Ready. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) technology enables the LogiDrive system to maintain high efficiency even in partial load ranges and low speeds – making the solution especially suited towards intralogistics, warehousing, and airport applications.
Recently, the Swedish rolling bearing manufacturer SKF and the Swiss gearbox design software developer KISSsoft have incorporated SKF’s bearing calculation service within KISSsoft's software. With the so-called SKF Bearing Module in KISSsoft, engineers will have direct access to SKF’s bearing technology and bearing performance data.
A new version of the MESYS shaft and rolling bearing analysis software including new functionality is available. The bearing analysis software allows the calculation of the load distribution within the bearing and bearing life according to ISO/TS 16281 and it is integrated in a shaft system calculation with additional possibilities like modal analysis, strength calculation for shafts and interfaces to gear calculations. Currently the software is used by customers in 30 countries on four continents.
JIE USA has released a 3D CAD gearbox and gearmotor configurator to help engineers choose motors and drives on-demand. The online tool enables engineers to identify the correct product for their design or application based on custom parameters and deliver the CAD model or PDF datasheet they need to do their job efficiently.
A new modular solution for driving AGVs and AMRs from Bonfiglioli is called BlueRoll. The system consisting of a gearbox and driving wheel in the so-called basic version or with servomotors in the advanced or compact version is perfectly tailored to all customers’ needs.
The gear and gear drive segment of mechanical power transmission continues to focus on performance, reliability and safety. There are several new products offering increased load capacity, reduced friction and longer service life. For those components unable to keep up with industrial demands, there’s a gearbox MRO team waiting to handle emergency repair services.
What are the secrets for a successful "mechanical/automation" partnership? With technology and gearing changing so rapidly, how can you be assured of an efficient and economical machine design? During this webinar DieQua will reveal how a strategic partnership, with trusted and knowledgeable suppliers, can alleviate some of the challenges in today's ever-changing mechanical/automation engineering landscape.
Gearboxes are essential for practically every industry. What happens when there are specific challenges presented - whether it be environmental, safety or application challenges? How can a gearbox work in extreme conditions? Learn how we can implement a standard gearbox with modifications that are ideal for your applications.
Learn about the effect Covid-19 had on the industrial gearbox market and how the industry is predicted to recover.