You’ll find actuators in everything from cell phones to the Mars Rover. Linear hydraulic actuators operate the wheel brakes and landing gear in aircraft. NASA built the Mars Rover with 31 electric actuators to move its legs and arms. Without them, the Curiosity rover couldn’t perform

When a clutch engages with an engine, a pressure plate pushes a clutch disc onto the flywheel. This allows for the power of an engine to transfer to the rest of the machine. This vital clutch disc makes sure that this engagement and disengagement of the flywheel happens smoothly every time. Earl

Remember asbestos? The now-maligned heat resisting, sound absorbing, load withstanding miracle mineral used to be the standard brake pad material. Blow out the brakes, inhale the dust, repeat. And now 3,000 mostly senior men are diagnosed with mesothelioma yearly. Asbestos use peaked in 1973, an

You need an industrial motor, but what kind should you get: AC or DC? That depends on what you’re trying to accomplish with the motor. There’s no clear winner in the DC vs. AC motor debate, but learning more about how each motor works can help you decide. First, let’s answer th

Postponing the maintenance of your drum brakes is a disaster waiting to happen. By caring for your breaks with regular maintenance, you are caring for your machinery and the safety of those operating it. It’s important to keep in mind that brakes simply don’t fail on their own. Brake

Are you stuck trying to find the right couplings for your project? Looking at the many different types of couplings could cause anyone to become confused, but when your project is on a time limit, you need answers – and fast. The good news is that knowing your coupling types isn’t as

Most industrial gearboxes last for around 20 years. However, that’s only if they’re taken care of properly. Along the way, you’ll have to keep an eye out for transmission problems and fix them right away. If you’re not what they are, don’t worry. In this article, we

You’ve been searching high and low for parts and equipment that are just right, but you just can’t find them. Sound familiar? You’d be much better off taking matters into your own hands and having them custom-made. In this article, we’ll tell you why you should use custom

When’s the last time you checked your industrial drum brakes? If the brakes on your machinery aren’t working, they can bring your entire production system to a halt, costing you huge amounts of money. That’s why it’s important to keep them in check with regular maintenanc

In the beginning, oil was unwanted. It was considered an annoying byproduct by drillers who were trying to locate brine wells. Then a Canadian invented something called “rock oil” that could be used in lamps instead of hard-to-find whale oil. That plus a few other factors combined to

When you’re in your car and hit the brakes, you probably don’t think about how they work… Unless they don’t. Finding out how frictional material works can help in more than just your car, though. It can also assist in an industrial setting where friction material is used.

When brake pads slam against high-speed disc rotors, it’s a marvel to think they don’t wear or tear much at all. Really, it’s not the brake pad itself doing the work, but the brake lining, invented by auto genius Bertha Benz, that converts the kinetic energy to thermal. This le

The United States has over 52 thousand wind turbines that are used to create renewable energy. Renewable energy has become increasingly more important due to the negative impact of non-renewable energy sources such as oil and coal. Wind turbines are a great alternative that prevents adding furth

For cranes to work effectively, specific requirements are needed. Modern cranes have all of the elements that cranes need today. If your cranes aren’t working to their fullest potential, they’re probably outdated. Overhead cranes can last decades if properly maintained. But outdated

Since its conception in the late 19th century, the railroad industry has changed the American way of life. We owe the development of several early cities and towns to our railroads. And here’s something else we owe them: a little maintenance. The last century has been hard on those railroa

Is it time for new brake linings? With all the options out there, how do you decide which brake linings material to choose from? Don’t worry. We’ll explain the different types of brake linings materials and help you discover which will best suit your needs. Non-Asbestos Once upon a t

Even with what the latest technology has provided with industrial parts and tools, most machines cannot do everything. Modern milling machines are no exception. Vertical and horizontal milling machines have different uses based on the job you are looking to perform. Some milling machines give yo

You know how sometimes you can hear a phrase for a while and not really know what it means? You nod along as everyone talks, but in the back of your mind, you hope nobody asks a direct question. That can happen to even the most seasoned crane operators when it comes to discussing a variable freq

Aluminum is a versatile metal that you can cast using any of the casting processes available. Casting aluminum well depends on the aluminum alloys, what your goal is, and which technique you use. The casting technique you choose, such as die casting or sand casting, depends on the dimensions and

Phenolic plastic has many advantages! We’ve been using this material since 1907 for telephones, radios, light switches, and more recently, bearings – and for a good reason, it’s excellent. As you probably already know, plastic bearings are very popular when it comes to metal su