Motion Control Products - IQS Newsroom

Preventing Misalignment

IQS Newsroom — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:35:59 +0000

Flexible Couplings

A shaft coupling is a cylinder device that connects two shafts together in order to transmit power. They are found in many different types of machinery such as power transmissions, drive shafts, generators, wheels, pumps, line shafts, construction equipment, automotive engines, and many more. There are many different types of shaft couplings that are used based upon the type of machine and how much power and movement the shafts need to be capable of. A few types are rigid couplings, sleeve couplings, clamp or split-muff couplings, flexible couplings, diaphragm couplings, disc couplings, gear couplings, oldham couplings and jaw couplings among many others. They are an essential part of many machines in order for them to work properly.
Sometimes the shafts on these machines can become misaligned after some use because of improper installation, movement and vibration, use and any other reason. To fix this issue a flexible shaft coupling can be used to ensure a secure connection between the two shafts. A flexible coupling can be used when the misalignment is in range of one to five degrees. Anything beyond that could potentially be beyond repair. Most commonly flexible shaft couplings are found made out of either stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel protects from corrosion and can increase the movement of force capacity. Aluminum is still a strong alternative and it is also less expensive. Replacing a broken shaft coupling with a flexible one can save many companies time and money as well as the hassle of replacing an entire machine. Flexible shaft couplings are also very good at absorbing any vibrations that might be taking place and still firmly hold the shafts together properly. This is why they are used directly in automobile drivelines because so much vibration constantly takes place throughout that area.

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Pencil Sharpeners, a Variation of Planetary Gearboxs

IQS Newsroom — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 18:20:34 +0000

When I was in high school every classroom was equipped with a mechanical pencil sharpener. Most of the sharpeners worked and were well used but occasionally some kid got the idea it would be funny to stick a tootsie roll in one of them. Mechanical pencils are making pencil sharpeners somewhat obsolete but there will always be a need to sharpen colored pencils or number two pencils for scantrons. Personally, no mechanical pencils will ever replace the Mirado Black Warriors. It was always fun to stand in the corner, interrupting the teacher with the loud grinding noise that pencil sharpeners make while they eat at a pencil.
If one were to open a mechanical pencil sharpener they would discover that it is a variation of a planetary gearbox. This kind of gearbox got its name because the way it works is relative to the solar system. The “sun” gear is in the center and “planet” gears revolve around it. There is also an outer ring gear that meshes with the planets that I like to think of as the asteroid belt. A pencil sharpener is basically a planetary gearbox with extended planet gears turned into merciless cutters.
We did have to make sure our pencils were extra sharp so we could play our favorite game. The objective was to stick as many pencils in the ceiling as you could before getting caught. We used to torment one particular teacher because she gave the best responses. She was a little old Germany lady with a heavy accent. Her favorite thing to say to me was “Git witit Jozef”. Kids used to hang her stuffed animals from the ceiling just to get her to say something funny. The more a teacher got upset, the more kids wanted to goof off. It is a vicious cycle.

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The History of Precision Ball Bearings

IQS Newsroom — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:35:16 +0000

Today we use precision ball bearings for a variety of different things. Precision ball bearings help make sure that there is a high degree of control and predictability of movement. Ball bearings are the most commons means by which such friction reduction is accomplished. But it was not always this way. There was a very simple start to the precision ball bearings that we see today. Yes, before miniature bearings, roller bearings, steel ball bearings, and thrust bearings there were simply bearings. Old wooden rollers that supported objects like how precision bearings do. Some historians would say that the invention of bearings may even possibly predate the invention of the wheel. The oldest history of bearings starts with the Egyptians and how they used roller bearings.

Image Courtesy of Dynaroll Corporation

It is under speculation that the Egyptians used these bearings in the form of tree trunks under sleds. The drawings that these people did are recorded in the tomb of Djehutihotep. The Twelfth Dynasty tomb of Djehutihotep has depictions of 172 men pulling an alabaster statue of him using the bearing system. This is the oldest possible recordings of bearings to date. There was a rolling bearing element that was discovered from Roman Nemi Ships in Lake Nemi, Italy that can be dated back to 40 AD but it was not discovered to be an actual ball bearing. The next recording of ball bearings evolving throughout history comes from world renowned thinker, Leonardo da Vinci. The first time he recorded this was in his personal drawings and design for a helicopter which was around the year 1500.

Image Courtesy of Dynaroll Corporation.

Fast forward 88 years, Agostino Ramelli is an Italian engineer who designs the book wheel or the reading wheel which becomes the first published engineer to have sketches of modern roller and thrust bearings. But Ramelli was not 100% correct in his efforts with some errors made in the process. However, Galileo would later on be the one to fix this model to almost perfection. The credited first practical cage-roller bearing goes to horologist John Harrison who used his invention for his H3 marine timekeeper. The first patent on ball bearings is awarded to Phillip Vaughan. He was a British inventor and ironmaster who used this tool for a ball bearing in Carmarthen which was dated in 1974.

The industrial revolution came after this which created a variety of different changes and patents throughout the evolution of precision ball bearings. The modern ball bearings that we use today can be linked back to every one of these subtle but extremely impactful changes. We see a variety of different applications some that include a rotating component. Other examples are some of the aerospace bearings that are used in the Mars Rover, gearboxes, wheel bearings on automobiles, and even in dental drills where ultra high speed bearings are used. It is truly amazing to look at how far we have come over time. If history repeats itself, which it very well could, there could be potentially even more conducive to our precision ball bearing needs.

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Two is Better than One: The Advantages of a Double Acting Cylinder

IQS Newsroom — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:23:04 +0000

A double acting cylinder is actually used in more applications than a single acting cylinder. There are many reasons for this, dealing with the superiority of double protection and drive versus single. However, if you have the choice between a single and double acting cylinder, here are a few reasons why you should always choose the double cylinder:
Extra fluid
A double hydraulic cylinder obviously contains more fluid than a single cylinder. This makes it easier to operate machinery with a double cylinder, and also makes it easier to control the movement of the system attached to the hydraulic cylinder.
Extra force
A single cylinder outputs force in one direction only. A double cylinder outputs force both as it travels out and as it travels in. This creates a higher force level that is more reliable and easier to control than a single-force system.
Greater control
The more force your cylinder can output, the more control you have over the system. With a double cylinder system, you don’t have to worry about as many slips, trips, and problems with the system. The force remains the same throughout the use of the cylinder and it is easier to control what you are doing, whether you are controlling a crane or raising or lowering the level of a platform.
Higher work output
When a hydraulic cylinder contains more fluid, it extends more energy during work output. This makes the operation of the unit more precise, and helps improve the overall energy-efficiency of the unit. It is also faster to operate a higher work output cylinder, making the process of using the hydraulic unit easier overall.
For these reasons and more, double cylinders are superior to single hydraulic cylinders. If you use any single cylinders in your units, consider switching them out for double cylinders for improved performance and efficiency.

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Manufacturing for a Target Audience

IQS Newsroom — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:56:33 +0000

When a manufacturing company produces products that are able to be utilized in a wide variety of industrial arenas, they can choose one of two paths as far as the variety of the models they make goes. The first marketing technique would be to produce products that can be used in a number of different industrial contexts, which would require a number of designs and options so that all needs could be met, and a very generalized marketing strategy so that any industry could see themselves buying the products. The other strategy involves choosing a target audience and arranging marketing techniques towards them alone. Specializing in the types of products used by one specific industry alone can improve hits on websites and calls and purchases made.
For linear slides manufacturers, either strategy can be taken with excellent results, although choosing a target audience could be the better choice for a smaller company trying to solidify themselves on the market, particularly if they are selling their items online. As search engines get more specific with their results to peoples’ searches, search terms are getting more specific, which would benefit a linear slides manufacturer who produces linear slides for the medical field or manufacturing field exclusively. Then the manufacturing company expertise could all be focused in on what types of linear slides will be most useful in that specific industry, which will give their customers confidence that they are purchasing the best possible linear slides on the market. For example, the previously mentioned medical industry uses linear slides and and positioning stages for a variety of mechanical equipment used in hospital settings, such as hospital beds, surgical beds and moving testing machines. Linear slides manufacturers that design mechanisms specifically for this industry will not lack in customers, since the industry is such a wide and varied one, but will instead be able to offer customer specific help.

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The History of the Spring: From Clock to Torsion Springs

IQS Newsroom — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:36:15 +0000

The earliest springs were not coil springs like we think of them today. Ancient people used flexible branches and plants to act like a spring mechanism to trigger traps and other simple devices. In the Bronze Age, people began making simple metal springs, such as tweezers and metal leaves that could act like a spring inside padlocks and even to power machines like catapults.
In the Middle Ages, springs became more sophisticated. Villard de Honnecourt invented a water wheel that maneuvered a pole back and forth to automatically cause a saw blade to rub back and forth. In the 1500s, the first clock springs were invented. These springs were the first to use the coiled design that we now think today when thinking of a spring, however, the clock springs were made from flat, rather than rounded, metal.
However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that springs became common for other materials besides clocks and compasses. The invention of factories and assembly line production made is possible to make springs faster and better than ever before. With the invention of many machines, including trains, cars, and mass-produced furniture, factories started making springs for a variety of uses from keeping a door open to absorbing shock in a car or train.
Today’s springs are made from a variety of materials from plastic to heavy steel. Springs use a variety of sizes and shapes to perform different mechanical tasks. Tension springs have tight coils that keep an object in place, such as a trampoline. Compression springs give bounce and flexibility to an object, such as a sofa base. Flat clock springs are still used to this day in clocks. Torsion springs help doors open and close quickly, and power many drawers, latches, and other items.
Even though springs have come a long way since the Bronze Age, it is still amazing to think that we still use such ancient technology as the base for so many modern inventions.

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3 Types of Clock Springs

IQS Newsroom — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:07:03 +0000

A clock spring is different from the rounded, coil springs of today. These springs are flat, spirals of metal that are used to provide rotating tension on an object such as a clock mechanism or timers. There are three main kinds of clock springs that have their own particular uses and benefits.
Hairsprings: Hairsprings are some of the more complicated types of clock springs. The springs are used as a timing mechanism, such as for operating a parking meter, preventing backlash from a gear, or in a simple kitchen timer. The coils are evenly spaced between each coil, and the entire clock spring resembles a flat cinnamon roll. The springs are difficult to manufacturer, and are rarely produced by hand.
Brush springs: Brush springs are only called brush springs because they are most commonly used for powering carbon brushes in a motor or power generator. The spring is an open-wound spiral spring similar to a hairspring, but it is made from denser material and tougher metal. The spring resembles a rolled-up fruit leather roll. The brush spring engages nearly all coils at once while in use, which is unusual for this kind of spring. Brush springs also have even spacing, and are usually produced in specialized factories.
Power springs: Power springs are the original form of the clock spring. The springs Till have a flat, coiled shape like a cinnamon roll, but they have a much looser coil than hairsprings or brush springs. They are also made from more flexible metal than brush springs. The spring does wear out quickly, which requires that it be placed in housing to prevent the coil from unraveling completely. While most springs are created in a factory, it is possible to make your own clock springs at home without specialized training or equipment.

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4 Advantages of Coil Springs

IQS Newsroom — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 19:00:56 +0000

A coil spring manufacturer makes many kinds of springs, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. The grouping of coil springs as a whole offers a large range of benefits that make them ideal for use in many industries, from to production to furniture making. If you have the choice between a coil spring and another kind of spring, consider the following advantages of coil springs before making your final decision:
Coil springs are lightweight: Coil springs are surprisingly light for the power they provide. The coiled steel makes the spring stronger than the metal would be if it retained the original straight shape. The heating and coiling process also helps strengthen the metal, making it possible to use less metal to hold larger weights.
Coil springs are inexpensive: Most springs are made from steel and other low-cost metals. These metals are easy to find anywhere, and the cost of the metal is low. Such a small amount of metal goes into each spring, that coil springs are one of the most economical choices for any type of use.
Coil springs are maintenance-free: A coil spring requires no maintenance. You don’t have to lubricate the spring, or clean it, or give it special coatings or care for it to work. The only problem that may occur with springs is that they may break on occasion. However, if a coil spring breaks it is an easy matter to fix it.
Coil springs are versatile: There are hundreds of varieties of coil springs that a coil spring manufacturer can create for a variety of different uses. Depending on what you want to use the spring for, you can choose tension springs, compression springs, or torsion springs. Each coil spring provides a unique service to the tool and helps make the job of the tool or machine much easier.

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The Pros and Cons of Electric Actuators

IQS Newsroom — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 19:06:42 +0000

A linear actuator is a device that turns non-linear motion, or movement that does not go back-and-forth, into linear movement, or motion that does go back-and-forth. There are different varieties of linear actuators, and they range in size, power, and use. The specific type called a DC actuator, for example, is usually used in conjunction with a DC power source in order to function properly. We often see these kinds of actuators in smaller devices that require batteries. The DC actuator is part of a larger family of linear actuators called electric actuators.
Electric actuators are employed in many industrial settings, and they come in different variations. There is the DC actuator, which I already mentioned, and where there is DC, there is AC. The AC actuator is similar to the DC actuator; of course, it just relies on a different type of electricity to work. Where the DC actuator requires a DC motor for its source of power, the AC actuator uses an AC motor.
The great thing about actuators is they make our lives much easier. They fit into places we cannot and they make us safer since they can be used in situations that would normally be pretty caustic for a person. Electric actuators do have their fair share of drawbacks, though. For example, like any electrical system, there is always the risk of fire. So if you want to use an electrical actuator you have to take measures to prevent against fire. Also, electric actuators are not always capable of producing the same amount of power as other types of actuators. As always, though, the advantages of the electric actuator may outweigh some of the structural concerns. Because they are electric you can run them from a variety of power sources; if you decide to power them using solar power, then you can feel secure in the fact that you are using clean energy. Another advantage is that if you use an electric actuator you can use a remote control for it. Ultimately, like any device, you have to decide for yourself if the benefits outweigh the cost.

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Benefits of Dovetail Slides

IQS Newsroom — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 12:05:17 +0000

Dovetail slides offer economic and simple solutions to machine builders and users, guaranteeing precise movement and tooling positioning for special machine and/or OEM product lines. The base and saddle of the slides are generally constructed from close-grained cast iron and are normalized to prevent distortion. Designed to ensure accurate, smooth and reliable performance, dovetail slides usually have large contact areas. This large contact area means they offer higher stiffness and load bearing capacity than other types of slides. Dovetail slides have many benefits over other slides, and some of these benefits are suited to specific applications. I’d like to discuss some of these benefits as well as considerations in terms of suitability for certain applications.

Photo Courtesy Of Tusk Direct, Inc.

First and foremost dovetail slides offer incomparable precision when it comes to cutting and metal tooling. These slides make it simple to control machine movement and are designed for smooth operation, keeping the metal bump-free and clean. Durability can also be expected from these types slides. They are manufactured using materials such as steel, cast iron, and other hard metals, ensuring higher performance and longer working lives. And again, the large contact area offers a higher load bearing capacity. In addition to offering precision and durability, dovetail slides are quite versatile. They are easily drilled, tapped, or machined to meet unique fixturing and mounting requirements. They can be used in a variety of locations and positions to fit any specifications of the production line. Last but not least, these slides are a very economic option due to their effectiveness and simplicity. There is little to no metal waste and they require very little maintenance because of their durability. In this way, facilities are able to save money on repairs, waste and total product cost.

Photo Courtesy of Velmex, Inc.

All of the benefits mentioned make dovetail slides an excellent choice for a variety of applications. But when it comes to selecting a specific model of a dovetail slide for your application be sure to consider the distance and rate of linear motion, the maximum linear velocity of the positioning carriage required, the dynamic load carrying capacity, and the number of leads per revolution of the screw. Some additional features that may be offered with certain dovetail slides include locks, brakes, and clutches to slow, stop, or smoothly change speeds. For more information or to inquire about how dovetail slides could improve your operations, contact a manufacturer near you today!

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