Imagine two columns—one short and wide and the other long and narrow. As you begin to put weight on them, the long, narrow column gradually begins to bend, to the point that it becomes permanently deformed and eventually breaks, while the short, wide column handles the weight with ease. In the same way the long, […]
Happy Earth Day! How designers and engineers can make a difference
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Industrial sector was responsible for 51 percent of global energy consumption in 2011 (the latest year for which figures are available). Of the Industry sector’s energy use, 25 percent was in the form of losses. This represents a huge opportunity, not only for cost savings to manufacturers, […]
Three factors critical to servo motor sizing for linear motion systems
Selecting the right servo motor for a linear motion system is a complex task, beginning with initial assumptions and component selections, which must be checked through a series of calculations and, in most cases, repeated over several iterations until a suitable combination of motor and mechanics is found. Most motor manufacturers offer online sizing tools that make […]
Making an IMPACT on conveyor design
Assembly equipment, such as conveyors and workstations, presents a particularly difficult challenge to configure. Designs must accommodate existing building layout and structural elements, while providing an ergonomic workspace for operators, and of course, meeting the needs of the manufacturing or assembly process. Ron Schwar, design engineer for Glide-Line, points out that the conveyor is the […]
