Mechanical Components Features

The rise of recycled materials in bearing manufacturing

Here, Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SMB Bearings, explores how integrating recycled materials into bearing manufacturing can reduce environmental impact and promote a circular economy.

Meet the inventor: A ‘magical potion’ for machines

In the 1990s, Magnus Kellström, Development Engineer of SKF, invented a completely new kind of bearing. His ideas are still changing the world, one revolution at a time.

Slewing rings play pivotal role in slew jib cranes

R. A. Rodriguez has provided Lifting Products with three slewing rings, which have been used in custom slew jib cranes. The cranes were designed for a water industry application, but Lifting Products plans to make them a standard product going forwards.

Engineering excellence: Springs in safety-critical aviation applications

In the intricate realm of aerospace engineering, where precision is paramount and safety is sacrosanct, every component plays an indispensable role in ensuring the integrity of the final product. In this feature, we explore the role of springs in safety-critical aviation applications, with a particular focus on a set of springs that have defied the odds, completing an astounding 10,000,000 cycles, while still appearing as immaculate as the day they were crafted.

More Mechanical Components Features Features

Simple, strong and seamless: A new approach to spring design(08/01/2024)

In 2019, recognising the complexity of existing spring solutions, Samuel Suvanto sought to develop a spring that could be seamlessly integrated into steel structures. The result: InfiniSpring, a mechanical spring crafted from high-strength steel sheets, using laser cutting. Here, Tero Lokasaari, CEO of InfiniSpring, explores its development journey and the applications that have already benefited from its use.
Life’s a beech: Wooden shafts and plastic bearings save CO2 in manufacturing(04/12/2023)

Machine builders are searching for ways to reduce their carbon content. New materials are coming under greater scrutiny in manufacturing processes, to replace metals and alloys or incumbent, carbon-heavy materials. Wood is a renewable raw material, and several seasoned woods have the physical properties to suit low- to medium-load applications like conveyors, as well as furniture-making and advanced joinery.
From fibre to fabric: Textile selection in conveyor belt manufacturing(04/12/2023)

Conveyor belts are ubiquitous in modern society, facilitating the efficient movement of goods across various sectors. Yet, what often goes unnoticed is the critical role played by the choice of textiles in determining a conveyor belt's performance and characteristics. Here, Anna Marcol, Marketing Communications Manager of Habasit, discusses the diverse range of fabrics used in manufacturing conveyor belts.
Back to the future for electric speed record(04/12/2023)

The current development of electrically powered vehicles is a big part of today’s alternative sustainable energy revolution. Whilst most attention is focused on the ‘here and now’ and the future, it’s interesting to look back at some important milestones and highlights as we move inexorably towards greener, more sustainable solutions.
Passing the acid test: igubal bearing saves battery recycler thousands(28/11/2023)

Simply switching to a polymer bearing from a stainless steel bearing has saved a lead acid battery recycler, Fry’s Metals thousands in maintenance costs, and far more in preventing lost production time.