[advertisement]

Load

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2025-03-19

KISSsoft 2025 Available in April

The new KISSsoft Release brings innovations and enhancements for results visualization, allowing you to design even more efficiently, precisely, and productively. Within Gleason’s strategy "Design– Manufacturing – Measure", KISSsoft continues to add functions for simulating cylindrical gear manufacturing. After all, you target a gear design combining the highest strength with low manufacturing costs. KISSsoft offers a variety of rating procedures. Additionally, bearing ratings methods according to Timken have been added.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-12-04

Ruland Offers Bellows Couplings for Robotic Applications

Ruland bellows couplings are ideal for precision motion in robotic applications due to their zero-backlash design, high torque and torsional stiffness, and various styles that ensure accurate movement and smooth operation. They are commonly used in industrial, medical, and autonomous robotic systems requiring high speed and accuracy.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-11-08

Force Control Gives New Life to Aging Dynamometer

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.”

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-10-23

Siemens Digital Announces Solid Edge 2025 and Solid Edge X

Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the 2025 release of Solid Edge software, bringing new capabilities to its product development software. The latest release also introduces Solid Edge X software, delivering a cloud-enabled secure Software as a Service (SaaS) environment, enhanced with new AI-enabled tools to help users work smarter.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-10-17

PI Introduces PIFOC Focus Scanner for Objectives and XY Stage with Piezo Drive for Inverted Microscopes

With the P-725.xCDE1S focus scanner and the U-781 PILine XY stage system, PI completes its range of positioning systems for fluorescence microscopy applications. The dynamic focus scanner is offered as a complete package including controller and allows travel ranges up to 400 µm. The U-781 XY stage system with controller and joystick is mechanically compatible with inverted microscopes of leading manufacturers and offers interfaces to common microscopy software tools such as µ-Manager, MatLab, LabView, Python, and Nikon NIS Elements—all at an attractive price/performance ratio.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-10-07

Mayr Offers Reliable Clutches and Couplings for High-Speed Applications

Based on the proven ROBA-DS steel disk pack coupling, Mayr Power Transmission developed a weight-optimized aluminum version. Compared to the steel version, the outer diameter of this new design has been reduced by up to 10 mm; the mass and mass inertia range from 40 to 60 percent of the steel version, depending on the design and size. The performance density, however, remains unchanged. It is tailored to meet the requirements of high-speed applications, for example in the field of test bench technology.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-09-03

KISSsoft System Module: Operating Modes and Load Spectra

Calculating the strength of a transmission requires handle various load levels in a load spectrum. The load spectrum includes all system boundaries, namely all power inputs and power outputs. Additionally, a transmission includes synchronizers, clutches, and brakes to manage different operating modes.

[advertisement]
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2024-08-05

Avoiding Failure and Downtime

Gear drives are fundamental in most processing operations, connecting the prime mover to the driven equipment and ensuring that the system has enough torque to effectively move product. Correctly specifying and selecting the proper gear drives for critical applications leads to reliability, greater uptime and profitability.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-07-17

MESYS Version 06/2024 Now Available

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 32 countries on 4 continents.

REVOLUTIONS | 2024-06-25

SMT Examines Dynamic Modeling of High-Speed Ball Bearings

In this article, the focus turns to the dynamic modeling of ball bearings, and the benefits of this approach when analyzing high-speed ball bearings.

REVOLUTIONS | 2024-05-22

Avoiding Failure and Downtime

Gear drives are fundamental in most processing operations, connecting the prime mover to the driven equipment and ensuring that the system has enough torque to effectively move product. Correctly specifying and selecting the proper gear drives for critical applications leads to reliability, greater uptime, and profitability.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2024-04-11

Zero-Max OHLA and CD Couplings Satisfy Critical Electrification Requirements

OHLAs provide both overhung radial and axial load support to protect electrified mobile equipment motors from heavy application loads, extending the lifetime of the motor and alleviating the cost of downtime both from maintenance costs and loss of production. OHLAs also provide a contamination barrier to protect the electrified system from harsh environments that may include water, dirt, abrasives, chemicals, and other invasive debris, which are often present in mobile equipment applications. 

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2024-03-26

KISSsoft New Release Available in April

The new KISSsoft release 2024 is coming soon! This April will bring you the new system module KISSdesign, accelerating the calculation of complex drive trains and replacing the previous KISSsys software.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2024-03-01

Spindle Bearings—Potential Damaging Mechanisms and Mitigation

Modern spindle applications of rolling bearings require very high speeds and very high loads, often combined with poor lubrication conditions and/or high solid contamination. Examples of these applications are high-speed and high-cutting rate machine tools, where rolling bearings need to survive very though conditions. Rolling bearings in high speed and high load conditions might suffer from poor lubrication and potentially surface distress and adhesive wear. 

[advertisement]
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-12-01

Bearing Design Considerations for Pumps and Compressors

Manufacturing, chemical processing, food and beverage, construction, mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and power generation industries all employ the use of turbomachinery. Reliability and minimizing downtime are critical in these applications. Rolling bearings are integral to the operation of pumps and compressors and must be able to withstand moderate to heavy loading and harsh operating environments. A wide variety of ball, roller, and needle bearings can be found in these machines; however, this article will focus on the most common type of bearing used, the deep groove ball bearing.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-11-01

Solid Edge 2024 Focuses on Performance and User Experience

Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software tools that address all aspects of the product development process. Solid Edge combines the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design – made possible with synchronous technology. The following Q&A discusses Solid Edge 2024 with Dan Staples, vice president, mainstream engineering, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-10-25

GWJ Technology Celebrates 20 Years of eAssistant Software

A good 20 years have passed since the web-based calculation software eAssistant saw the light of day in the digital world. The software is probably the oldest commercial online solution for the design, recalculation and optimization of machine elements such as shafts, bearings, shaft-hub connections, gears, bolted joints, springs, etc. The calculations are based on internationally accepted standards and guidelines as well as technical literature.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-08-31

KISSsoft Offers LTCA Feature in Software Update

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.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-08-31

A Guide to Gearmotors

Gearmotors are used in processes to produce, manufacture, convey, package and store products used every day and are used frequently in small packaging applications due to their compact size. These units need care via preventive maintenance just like any asset used on a production site.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-08-24

SEW-Eurodrive Helical and Bevel Gear Units Offer Sustainability and Efficiency

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. 

| 2023-08-15

Fact or Fiction?

In everyday life and in the technical fields we often discover that certain decisions are based on “scientific data” when, in fact, they are often founded on historic conclusions that have not been challenged or re-evaluated in a long time. One such common myth is that for a stable and well-tuned drive you should match the motor’s inertia to the load inertia, which is typically done using a gearbox. Two factors lead to that conclusion: a. there is an optimization formula using the time constant of the motor and the load torque that shows that the best acceleration will be achieved if the reflected load inertia matches the rotor inertia; and b. a PID controller, which was commonly used when electric servos entered the marketplace, tend to perform best and appear to be most stable when the inertia are close or matched.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-08-01

Iwis Reduces Delivery Times for Accumulation Chains

Shorter delivery times because of more efficient production was the explicit aim of the Iwis Czech plant. Iwis has invested massively in the automation of production in Strakonice in recent months to further reduce manual operations. New automatic machines for inner and outer links were taken into operation to produce JWIS-branded accumulation chains, and chain assembly was also further automated.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-07-20

Nexen Announces New Line of Rotary Indexers

Nexen Group, Inc., announced a new line of Rotary Indexers. The X-Line delivers up to three times more torque and greater moment load capacity in a compact package.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-05-18

GWJ Technology Adds Functions to Calculation Software

GWJ Technology GmbH, a calculation specialist from Braunschweig, Germany, added new functions to the gear modules of its eAssistant web-based calculation software, which has been successful for more than 20 years.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-04-28

Siemens and IBM Collaborate on Software Product Development

Siemens Digital Industries Software and IBM recently announced they are expanding their long-term partnership by collaborating to develop a combined software solution integrating their respective offerings for systems engineering, service lifecycle management and asset management.
  

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2023-04-06

KISSsoft Expands Fine Sizing Capabilities with Release 2023

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.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2023-04-06

Precision Coupling Basics—Stiff or Stiff Enough?

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. 

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2023-04-06

Ball Bearing Inner Ring Fits and Creep (Part 2)

Welcome back to Part 2 of our inner ring and creep discussion. We left off with our creep calculation resulting in a 10.5 µm minimum inner ring fit to avoid creep. For the sake of making clean dimensions, let’s call it 10 µm on the lower end and the upper end is simply whatever your manufacturer can hold.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-04-03

Hannover Messe Bearings Preview

PTE will feature a variety of new component technologies online for bearings, motors, couplings, brakes, gear drives, and motion control systems leading up to Hannover Messe 2023 in Germany. Here is a preview of some bearings suppliers to check out if you're planning on attending the event online or in-person in April.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-03-24

KISSsoft Release 2023 Available in April

The new KISSsoft release 2023 comes with numerous novelties. Among others, Gear Mesh Frequencies (GMF) can now be calculated for cylindrical and bevel gears. GMF results are visualized in two different diagrams, i.e. GMF versus rotational frequency of the reference gear, and GMF versus amplitude.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2023-03-22

A Model for Considering Wheel Body Deformation in Tooth Contact Load Distribution

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.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2023-03-21

Ball Bearing Inner Ring Fits and Creep

I think I spend more time talking about ball bearings today than at any other time in my career. Ball bearings have always had a large place in automotive, but not typically in high demand positions—other than a few niche areas. High demand positions, such as axles and planetaries, were typically reserved for tapers, needles and cylindricals. The landscape is changing quickly.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-03-07

SKF Bushing Reduces Maintenance for Motorcycle Front Suspensions

SKF has developed a composite bushing for motorcycle front suspensions (or forks) that reduces the need for maintenance. A combination of metals, plus a lubricating coating, gives the bushing both mechanical strength and low friction.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-02-28

KISSsoft Offers Geometry and Stress Calculations of Hirth Couplings

KISSsoft offers the calculation of geometry and contact stresses of Hirth couplings. Hirth couplings allow for the transmission of high torque between shafts. In KISSsoft, users can select a standard Hirth coupling offered by Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA or enter their own custom geometry for the calculation.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2023-02-17

Siemens Expands Simulation for Electrification, Aerospace, Additive Manufacturing and Industrial Machinery

Siemens Digital Industries Software announced that the latest release of Simcenter software for mechanical simulation helps streamline electrification engineering projects, assists new aircraft meet margins of safety, simplifies durability testing across many industries and much more.

REVOLUTIONS | 2023-01-03

FVA Presents Transmission Design Considerations

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.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-10-19

Zero-Max Introduces New OHLA Models

Zero-Max did it again – three entirely new Extra-Duty Overhung Load Adaptor (OHLA) models. Based on decades of experience solving overhung load issues in the most demanding applications, the new designs feature a number of carefully chosen upgrades including spherical bearings, enhanced sealing technology, stronger shafts and a longer profile delivering increased operating life, heavy load capacities, and higher speed ratings.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-10-10

GWJ Technology Extends Involute Gear Output Options

GWJ Technology GmbH has extended the output option of tooth forms of involute gears. GWJ has extended the output of tooth forms in 2D DXF format in its calculation modules single cylindrical gears, cylindrical gear pairs, planetary gear trains, three- and four-gear train systems, gear racks and involute splines as part of the new versions of its calculation solutions eAssistant and TBK.

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2022-09-30

Reliable, User-Friendly Planetary Gear Unit Design

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.

REVOLUTIONS | 2022-09-26

Software Bits 2022

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.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-08-19

KISSsoft and Timken Collaborate on Bearing Calculation and Design

Bearing calculations from Timken can now be easily generated in KISSsoft for the software’s registered users. Although the data is not visible in KISSsoft, it can be used in the background for calculation and design purposes.

| 2022-08-09

Ball Bearing Limiting Speeds

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.

FEATURE ARTICLES | 2022-08-03

The Optimization of 70 Tons of Scrap

The engineering community is fascinated with big, shiny, yellow machines. Walk into any manufacturing facility around the globe and you’ll find guests huddled around the biggest, loudest, and most intimidating equipment on the shop floor. These large machines must play by the same rules as everybody else—they need to reduce energy consumption, lower plant costs, and increase productivity. Many power transmission component suppliers are tasked with optimizing this equipment. 

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-07-15

A Look at SKF's Connection to KISSsoft

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.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-07-11

MESYS Software Version 06/2022 is Available

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.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-07-08

SMT Announces North America User Forum

2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of SMT’s focus on providing the tools and knowledge to drive engineering innovation in gearbox system analysis. With this historic company anniversary, the company has announced the return of the North America User Forum.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-06-24

Zero-Max CD Couplings Provide High Torsional Stiffness for Torque Transducers and Test Machinery

Torque Transducers and Test Machinery experience extreme demands including high torque loads and high operating speeds which cause stress on connected components. To assure these systems generate accurate test data when experiencing these conditions, system designers specify CD Couplings from Zero-Max. 

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-05-23

Siemens Digital Offers Simcenter Update to Improve Accuracy, Flexibility and Connectivity

Siemens Digital has added features and updates for Simcenter SPEED, Simcenter Motorsolve and Simcenter MAGNET 2022.1 to improve accuracy, flexibility and connectivity. This 2022.1 update makes Simcenter SPEED and Simcenter Motorsolve more accurate and better integrated to Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-05-13

SEGULA Technologies and Senseye Partner on IIoT Solutions

SEGULA Technologies and British scale up Senseye, specialized in predictive maintenance based on artificial intelligence, have announced the signing of a partnership.

PRODUCT NEWS | 2022-05-12

Black Bruin Offers Hydraulic Technologies at IFAT 2022

The S-series hydraulic motors from Black Bruin are designed for demanding recycling applications with direction changes and shock loads, which can be hard on shredders and their rotors. The power of the S-series helps handle varied and inconsistent waste material effortlessly and clears jams with ease

INDUSTRY NEWS | 2022-04-28

SMT Webinar Examines Software Tips and Tricks

SMT's latest webinar "MASTA Support - Tips, Tricks and FAQ" will take place May 4, 2022. The SMT customer support team receive queries covering all areas of MASTA, with industry 'hot topics' inevitably arising. In this webinar, SMT engineers focus on answering some of the queries that frequently make it into their support inbox. 

TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2021-12-01

Influence of the Load-Dependent Center Distance

Considering the local flank parameters, such as pressure or transmission error, a significant influence of the load-dependent center distance can be observed. With the FVA-Workbench, the load-dependent center distance is always considered.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2021-10-01

Coupling a Motor to a Load

With so many load types and motor types, there are many ways to couple a motor to a load.
| 2021-02-22

The Digital Experience with Regal Beloit

Regal Beloit Corporation recently announced it is now putting QR codes on Sealmaster and Browning mounted bearings products and bearing boxes inclu...
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2020-12-01

Rolling Bearing Performance Rating Parameters Review and Engineering Assessment

The main function of rolling bearings is to support load and transmit rotational movement with minimum energy loss. In order to achieve this, bearings are manufactured with particularly good quality fatigue resistance materials, proper design and tight manufacturing tolerances. Particular emphasis is put in both the macro, and micro geometry of the working shapes and surfaces of the raceways. Rolling bearings come in many types and sizes as ball and roller bearings for radial and thrust loads.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2020-08-01

FEM Analysis of the Load Distribution over the Face Width of Helical Gear Pairs Considering Deviations, Misalignments and Deformations

The load carrying capacity of spur gears may be calculated by ISO 6336 using influence factors. The face load factor considers the impact of the non-uniform load distribution over the face width. Even if the gears had perfect geometry, the load would not distribute uniformly along the contact lines. The face load factor depends on deformations of all parts of the containing gearbox and mainly of the teeth, gears and shafts as well as on manufacturing and assembly deviations.
POWER PLAY | 2020-03-01

The Coolest Cylinder in Michigan

You might not expect a humble cylinder to garner more attention than a luxury boat or a giant, shiny stage prop, and yet thatâ??s just what happened in Michigan's latest contest celebrating local manufacturersâ?? contributions.
| 2020-01-23

Motor Sizing for Unusual Loads

One of the fun parts of the motion industry is involvement in popular movies! Motor specifications can be a bit rough: “I need to spin a 120-pound ...
PRODUCT NEWS | 2019-12-01

Product News

The complete Product News section from the December 2019 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2019-09-01

NORD Gear Offers Drive Solutions for Intelligent Brewing

Worm, bevel, and parallel shaft gear units were installed at two breweries to provide the necessary process control.
PRODUCT NEWS | 2019-08-01

Product News

The complete Product News section from the August 2019 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
| 2018-10-03

Cooling Tower Components: Pros and Cons

Written by: Jerome Jennings, global product manager, SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc. Cooling towers can use several power transmission technologi...
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2018-08-01

Electrical Stress and Parasitic Currents in Machine Elements of Drivetrains with Voltage Source Inverters

Modern drivetrains with voltage-source inverters not only offer advantages like, for example, variable speed operation, increased efficiency and higher dynamics, but also an increase in failures caused by induced parasitic currents.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2018-06-01

Finite Element Method Based Analysis of Planetary Gear Systems Considering Backlash and Manufacturing Deviations

The load carrying capacity of gear transmissions depends strongly on design, material and operation conditions. Modern analysis methods, e.g. finite element analysis (FEA), consider the above parameters with more or less sufficient accuracy. Yet it remains an ongoing challenge to account for backlash and manufacturing errors, despite a definite need to do so.
| 2018-04-19

The Gizmo Society

It is hard these days to find any device that is not IoT-compatible or WiFi-connected. I recently had a new well pump installed that requires an iP...
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2017-12-01

2017 PTE Buyers Guide

The 2017 Power Transmission Engineering Buyers Guide was compiled to provide you with a handy resource containing the contact information for significant suppliers of power transmission and related components.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2017-09-01

Fluid Couplings vs VFDs for High Inertia Rotating Driven Loads

As the old adage goes, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." In the early stages of any project, system designers are faced with choices; whether they are designing a new application or retrofitting an old one, they need to determine what is the most efficient, economical and practical way of completing the task at hand. Though there are usually at least two viable means to accomplish the task, the first step is always to review and weigh the merits of each option.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2017-06-01

Determination of Load Distributions on Double Helical-Geared Planetary Gearboxes

Standardized calculation methods such as ISO 6336 and DIN 3990 already exist to determine the load distributions on gears inside a planetary gearbox, but by their very universal nature, these methods offer varying results depending on the gearbox design. Double helical gears, in particular, can benefit from more specific, complex algorithms to reach a maximum level of efficiency. Double helical gears interact with the rest of the gearbox differently than helical or spur gears, and thus benefit from different analytical models outside the standardized methods. The present research project describes the algorithm to determine the load distribution of planetary gearboxes with double helical gears.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2017-04-01

Meet Norm Parker - Bearings Blogger

In case you missed them, following are three recent blog postings by our popular PTE bearings blogger - Norm Parker. We also felt that, should you not be a blog follower, this would be a good way to introduce you to Norm's bearings wisdom. Parker is currently the global senior specialist/roller bearings at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
| 2016-07-11

Mind Sport

Stronghold Competition Puts the Fun in FIRST Robotics   Matthew Jaster, Senior Editor Here’s what we know about Tremont, Illinois: I...
FIELD NOTES | 2016-06-01

Proper Bearing Installation

Gregory (Keith) Boutwell, CBS and executive account manager at B&D Technologies (a division of B&D Industrial), explains how he used his bearings expertise to save a customer thousands of dollars through correct bearing installation.
BEARING BRIEFS | 2016-03-01

Load Ratings & Bearing Life

Power Transmission Engineering is collaborating with the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) on a special section within the magazine. Bearing Briefs will present updated reports on bearing topics for each issue in 2016. Complimentary access to all BSA Bearing and Industry Briefs is available on the BSA website at www.bsahome.org/tools.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2016-02-01

Motor Management Best Practices Part 3

This three-part series on motor management best practices focuses on the importance of instituting a motor management plan as a necessity in effectively administering the electric motors in a facility. The goal of a motor management plan is to take advantage of opportunities for energy savings and increased productivity using energy efficient, reliable motors such as NEMA Premium efficiency motors, herein referred to as “premium efficiency” motors.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2015-06-01

Stepper Motor Actuators

How would you compare the efficiency and capabilities of hybrid stepper motor actuators vs. can stack stepper motor actuators?
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2015-02-01

Desktop Engineering - How to Calculate Dynamic and Static Load Ratings

When comparing bearing suppliers, engineers are often left with few options other than to compare dynamic load ratings and corresponding life calculations. Of course, we can look at steel and manufacturing quality; but if we are comparing sources of similar quality, those items may not provide a large contrast. It often surprises people to learn that bearing capacities are calculated values, not tested values. Lately, however, a trend is emerging for bearing suppliers to increase their ratings for higher performance bearings that have premium features such as higher quality steel and specilaized heat treatment. Bearing companies are under intense competitive pressure to make every feature add to the dynamic capacity of their bearings because it is very well understood that an increase in capacity adds to the bottom line.
| 2015-01-29

Just How Big Are the Biggest Bearings?

I don’t recall a single bearing class where someone didn’t want to know what the largest bearing ever made was. From my stint as a bearing engineer...
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2014-09-01

Evolution of Worm Gear Standards and their Consequences on Load Capacity Calculation Approach

Beginning with a brief summary and update of the latest advances in the calculation methods for worm gears, the author then presents the detailed approach to worm gear geometry found in the revised ISO TR 10828. With that information, and by presenting examples, these new methods are explained, as are their possibilities for addressing the geometrical particularities of worm gears and their impact upon the behavior and load capacity of a gearset under working conditions based on ISO TR 14521 — Methods B and C. The author also highlights the new possibilities offered on that basis for the further evolution of load capacity calculation of a worm gearset based on load and contact pressure distribution.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2014-09-01

Load Capacity and Efficiency of Grease-Lubricated Worm Gears

Varying installation requirements for worm gears, as, for example, when used in modular gear systems, can necessitate grease lubrication - especially when adequate sealing for oil lubrication would be too complex. Such worm gears are being increasingly used in outside applications such as solar power plants and slew drives. While knowledge about the operating conditions is often appropriate, the basic understanding for load capacity and efficiency under grease lubrication is quite poor. Investigations done at FZG and sponsored by FVA/AiF are shown here to give an impression of the basic factors of load capacity and efficiency. The results of the investigation indicate a satisfying quality of calculations on heat, load capacity and efficiency based on characteristic parameters of the base oil with only slight modifications to the methodology known from DIN 3996 or ISO TR 14521.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2014-08-01

Dude - Where's My Preload

Many of us have been there; the bearings had the correct preload. You know it, you were there, and you personally saw the measurements. Now, the testing is done and the preload is gone. Not a little gone, not sort of gone - gone, gone. Finger pointing ensues. Suppliers are dragged in by their wrinkly Polo collars. You know the drill. Losing preload in a tapered roller bearing (TRB) system over the life of your application can be a troublesome problem, particularly for gear sets that are prone to noise or severe applications that rely on a very rigid and stable system.
PUBLISHER'S PAGE | 2014-02-01

Make the Connection

Recently I had a disturbing conversation with a colleague here at the office. During the conversation, it became clear to me that my co-worker -- a really intelligent guy whom I respect a lot -- had no idea how even the most simple electric motor works.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2014-02-01

All for One, One for All

Collaboration moves bearing modeling and simulation software forward
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-08-01

Brush DC Motor Runs Along

Everything started in 1800 when Volta developed the first DC battery. Faraday used the DC battery to develop the first electric motor. It used brushes to transfer the battery voltage and current to the rotating disk rotor. This was in mid-1831. Thus was born the brush DC motor.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2013-06-01

Power Loss and Axial Load Carrying Capacity of Radial Cylindrical Roller Bearings

This paper is intended to enlarge the application range of radial cylindrical roller bearings by means of a more precise determination of thrust load capacity and more cost-effective design.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2012-10-01

When a Good Gear Drive System Goes Bad

Even when the critical components of industrial power transmission gear drive systems are properly designed, specified and manufactured consistent with application requirements, performance problems can develop over time and failure may follow.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2011-12-01

Application of Ceramics to NU-Type Cylindrical Roller Bearings for Machine Tool Main Spindles

Bearings used to support main spindles on machine tools must be capable of higher speed and greater rigidity. This is true in that any main spindle that turns together with a tool or work piece mounted onto it is one of the critical machine tool components that directly affects machining efficiency and accuracy of the machine tool; and, the bearings that support the main spindle are the most critical machine elements on the machine tool.
POWER PLAY | 2010-06-01

The Ultimate Control

We all dream of being our own boss, but living that dream is a rare reality. Not so for employees at Isthmus Engineering and Manufacturing, an entirely worker-owned cooperative, where each member has a vote in every aspect of the business.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2010-04-01

Bogus Bearings Beat Price and Lead Time, But at What Cost

When your $100 “Rolex” falls apart on your wrist, well, what did you expect? But when bogus bearings find their way into safety-sensitive applications, lives are at stake.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2010-04-01

Oscillation Welding Protects Pipelines

Ball screw assemblies are key to this patent-pending oilfield corrosion prevention solution.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2010-04-01

Linear Motion Q&A: Customized Machinery Built with Off-the-Shelf Components

This Q&A session with various experts at Thomson Linear Systems covers linear slides & stages, clutches & brakes, bearings and actuators.
PRODUCT NEWS | 2009-06-01

Product News

The complete product news section from the June 2009 issue of Power Transmission Engineering.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES | 2008-10-01

Gear- or Actuator-Driven, These Bots Are Cutting-Edge

Robots are everywhere these days— bots in the factory, bots in space, bots at the airport, bots in the movies and much, much more. But robots in the operating room?
POWER PLAY | 2008-02-01

Eat Your Heart Out, Spielberg

"Restless Planet" transports guests to a Jurassic landscape with more than 100 animatronic dinosaurs.
FEATURE ARTICLES | 2007-04-01

The SKF High-Capacity Cylindrical Roller Bearing

Th e ISO defi nition of a full- complement bearing states that the bearing does not have a cage. When that defi nition was written, it was not technically possible to have a full-complement bearing with a cage. But SKF’s new high-capacity cylindrical roller bearing combines the load-carrying capacity of a fullcomplement bearing with the benefi ts of a bearing with a cage (Fig.1).
[advertisement]