We’ve made a lot of changes at PTE lately, including the redesign of our printed magazine and website with a sleek new logo and a more comfortable, vibrant, readable look and feel. You might think these changes are largely cosmetic. But they’re not. We began the process more than a year ago, and from the beginning, every decision was driven by a desire to serve you, the reader.
Lubricating greases are typically known for their use in a wide variety of applications such as rolling element bearings, automotive transmission joints as well as heavy duty chassis components; but can also be found very useful in the lubrication of gears. There are two types of gear families: the primary difference being open and enclosed gearboxes. The gears within a closed system are lubricated with grease within the system. Open gears are lubricated by grease or fluid separate from the piece of equipment. This paper will focus on the lubrication of open gears, utilizing both grease and fluid Open Gear Lubricants (OGL).
The digital transformation is fundamentally changing the industry, and digital twins play a central role. They enable real-time monitoring of physical systems, simulation of their behavior, and informed decision-making. A dissertation from the TU Darmstadt Institute for Product Development and Machine Elements (pmd) shows how the FVA-Workbench gearbox design software can be implemented as a platform for creating digital twins of industrial gearboxes. The results demonstrate how the combination of detailed modeling, continuous real-time calculations, and engaging dashboard visualization offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for the development of digital twins.
Schaeffler continues to advance key technologies shaping the future of mobility and motion. One area of interest—humanoid robots—is where Schaeffler is developing advanced component and system capabilities for the next generation of robotics. PTE recently had the opportunity to discuss these technologies with Al Makke, engineering director, humanoid robotics, North America, at Schaeffler Group USA.
Foundational to factory footprints across a breadth of industries and applications, linear motion systems and the axes they operate on remain critical components that OEMs and end-users rely on daily. As diverse as their use cases, linear axes are not a one-size-fits-all solution and, as such, need to be configured and leveraged properly to ensure optimal performance. Manufacturers and end-users should view this article as a roadmap to understanding linear axes and how they’ll continue to play a key role in manufacturing and logistics applications in the future.
Curious about the state of robotics and automation? A day or two at Huntington Place in Detroit this spring should clear everything up. Automate 2025 attendees might see robots serving coffee, robots maintaining shop floors, robots building other robots. We have officially crossed the threshold from future possibility to practical application.
For a few years now, Spot—the agile, mobile robot—has been surveying show floors at Automate, CES and Promat. Last year, Boston Dynamics presented a slew of additional technologies at IMTS 2024, showcasing robotic innovations key to scaling autonomous industrial inspection for components such as bearings, motors, pumps, gearboxes and conveyor systems.
For anime lovers, Gundam is not just a Japanese television series; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Since its debut in 1979, Mobile Suit Gundam has shaped how we think about the future, technology, and humanity’s place in the cosmos. Set in the Universal Century, a fictional era where humans live in space, Gundam’s depiction of “mobile suits” and the struggles of war has resonated with generations of fans across the globe. But the impact of Gundam goes far beyond entertainment—it’s a symbol of human ambition, creativity, and the drive to reach beyond our current limitations.
Applied Motion Products introduces the AW Stepper Motors, featuring an IP65-rated design that ensures reliable operation in harsh environments. Engineered for a high level of protection, these motors effectively shield internal components from external contaminants such as dust, dirt, moisture, and grease.
The KISSsoft System Module is a user-friendly tool also for load spectrum calculation designed for gearboxes. It incorporates nominal boundary conditions, variable forces on shafts, gear shifts, and hence changes in the power flow and operating mode variations. This complexity allows comprehensive calculations based on actual operating data, such as vehicle simulations or in situ measurements.
SEW-Eurodrive is proud to introduce the WES Series stainless steel gear unit, a compact, hygienic drive solution that runs cool – even under continuous operation. Unlike worm gear units that overheat, the WES Series integrates SPIROPLAN right-angle gearing, ensuring smooth, reliable performance without excessive heat buildup. Designed for food, beverage, and other hygienic applications, the WES Series is corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and rated for high-pressure washdowns.
The NORDCON software tool from Nord Drivesystems enables easy access to electronic drive systems, simple parameter management, drive programming, and comprehensive diagnosis. The software is available as a Windows app as well as a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing the full performance of Nord technology to be implemented across multiple devices with a uniform user interface. NORDCON is applicable for all Nord variable frequency drives, motor starters, and bus modules, and is capable of handling all tasks from application development, commissioning, operation and service.
The new KR Iontec ultra completes KUKA's portfolio in the payload range of 80 to 120 kg. With a reach of 2,300 to 2,700 mm, this compact and powerful robot offers maximum efficiency and flexibility in the modern production environment – for example in handling or spot welding with lightweight welding guns.
ABB has expanded its HVACR motor product line with the launch of ERH, a highly efficient, compact and lightweight solution for fan wall applications. This advanced motor technology delivers plug-and-play, variable-speed operation for simplified installation and lower energy consumption.
For every online retailer, warehouse logistics is part of the critical infrastructure: If the conveyor lines come to a standstill, it generally won’t be possible for any more packages to get out. To prevent this, an Australian office equipment supplier has retrofitted the warehouse logistics installation of its central warehouse. In its role as project manager, Layer Seven Automation replaced the proprietary decentralized controllers of the conveyor lines with PC-based control from Beckhoff, based on powerful EtherCAT communication.
IKO is pleased to announce its LT170H2 direct drive linear motor stage for dynamic applications such as semiconductor fabrication which require high thrust forces and long strokes.
The LVCM-013-019-02 (Imperial version) and the LVCM-013-019-02M (Metric version) linear motors released by Moticont feature high acceleration/deceleration, and low inertia. Two brushless high speed linear servomotors with a 0.75 in (19.1 mm) long stroke, have a high-force-to-size ratio of 2.9 oz (0.81 N) and a peak force of 9.0 oz (2.51 N) at a 10 percent duty cycle. Operated in a closed loop as a DC servomotor, these miniature linear servomotors have high accuracy and high repeatability, and are clean, quiet, reliable, and efficient.
RTEC Engineering Ltd. is on a mission to redefine accuracy standards for dynamometers amid the growing global interest in enhancing engine efficiency and performance.
GWJ Technology is starting a new seminar schedule in 2025. This year, GWJ is once again offering a wide range of different seminars that can be booked as online seminars or, if desired, as traditional face-to-face events. The online seminars are designed to be interactive and provide a comprehensive insight into the respective topic. Practical exercises deepen the content. Online seminars take place over two or three days and last two hours each.
ABB has appointed Susana Gonzalez as chief sales officer, machine automation division, B&R (A Member of the ABB Group), effective February 2025. Gonzalez, who has over 25 years of global experience in industrial automation and manufacturing, will lead B&R's global sales organization and serve as a member of the division management team. She succeeds Luca Galluzzi who held the position for the past five years.
The Timken Company recently announced that Christopher A. Coughlin, executive vice president and president, industrial motion, will retire at the end of the year after 41 years with the company.
WEG recently inaugurated the expansion of its automation products factory in Atotonilco de Tula, Mexico. With approximately 4,900 square meters of built area, the structure represents the expansion of the existing factory, which previously operated in a shared building and now has a dedicated space, ensuring greater efficiency and production capacity to meet the growing demand of the local market.
As a part of David Brown Santasalo’s (DB Santasalo) ongoing commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global gear manufacturer introduced “Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) Cradle to Gate CO2 equivalent” reporting for all their mining products in early 2022. Since that time, they have introduced the CFP Cradle to Gate CO2eq for their segmented girth gear range of products.
BorgWarner continues to expand its new energy vehicle motor business and has recently secured four new projects with three major Chinese domestic brands. The projects include the supply of 400V high-voltage hairpin (HVH) motors to a prominent Chinese new energy vehicle supplier for their 200kW hybrid rear-drive platform, with production planned to commence in August 2025. BorgWarner will also provide motors for a top Chinese domestic OEM’s 150kW pure electric platform, scheduled for mass production in March 2026. Additionally, the company will supply electric motors for the next-generation vehicles of another major Chinese domestic OEM, covering both range-extended and plug-in hybrid models, with production anticipated to begin in August and October 2025.
Atlantic Bearing Services will take part in the U.S. Caribbean Business Conference 2025 as a bronze sponsor, reinforcing its growth and commitment to strengthening business relationships in the Caribbean. As one of the leading engineering companies participating, ABS joins top companies from various industries in a key event to explore new opportunities in the region.
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Power Transmission Engineering is THE magazine of mechanical components. PTE is written for engineers and maintenance pros who specify, purchase and use gears, gear drives, bearings, motors, couplings, clutches, lubrication, seals and all other types of mechanical power transmission and motion control components.
