What was once targeted specifically toward the machine tool and metalworking industries, IMTS 2014 in Chicago spent a
great deal of time and resources on automation, controls, mechanical components, self-diagnostics and an increase in productivity on the shop floor.
Most of you probably think you know what
IMTS is about—machine tools, cutting tools, and various manufacturing processes. And if you stick to the North, South and West halls, you’ll be mostly right. But there’s a substantial group of exhibitors in the East building that are dedicated to automation, motion control and mechanical components.
It's not a show title that rolls off the tongue, but the Industrial Automation North America and MDA NA @IMTS 2014 show nevertheless may well be one to remember.
A critical problem for wind turbine gearboxes is failure of rolling element bearings where axial cracks form on the inner rings. This article presents field experience from operating wind turbines that compares the performance of through-hardened and carburized materials. It reveals that through-hardened bearings develop WEA/WECs and fail with axial cracks, whereas carburized bearings do not. The field experience further shows that a carburized bearing with a core having low carbon content, high nickel content, greater compressive residual stresses, and a higher amount of retained austenite provides higher fracture resistance and makes carburized bearings more durable than through-hardened bearings in the wind turbine environment.
Many of you probably think of IMTS as
just a machine tool show. Of course, it’s hard not to. With the majority of the show focused on metalworking equipment, tooling and supplies, there’s no doubt that IMTS is a machine
tool show. But this year, the show has partnered with Hannover Messe to include IANA—Industrial Automation North America.
