June 2016

Publisher's Page

Motors and More

Electric motors are often considered a mature industry— one whose basic technology wasinvented more than a century ago and whose fundamental concepts haven’t changed much since. But new applications continue to demand change. Engineers want greater efficiency, more precise control and improved reliability.

Technical Articles

Alternative to Ni-Bearing Carburizing Steels

Standard carburizing steel 18CrNiMo7-6 is often used when high hardenability is required, but due to its highly fluctuating price, there has always been an incentive to develop Ni-free steel grades. The 23MnCrMo5-5-2 — or Jomasco 23mod — has been developed for this purpose. But to ensure smooth substitution within existing production lines, a number of points must be addressed: first, checking the response to carburizing treatments; and second, having similar mechanical properties with identical tooth root bending performance on gears. The latter is the purpose of this paper.

Acoustic Analysis of Electric Motors in Noisy Industrial Environment

This paper presents a method for the acoustic analysis of electric motors in noisy industrial environments. Acoustic signals were measured via acoustic camera 48-microphone array, which has the capability to localize a sound (or sounds) source and, in turn, separate those sounds from intrusive background noise. These acoustic analysis results are then compared with vibration measurements; vibration monitoring is a well-known and established technique used in condition monitoring, and in this work vibration measurements were used as a reference signal for assessment of the value of the acoustic measurements. Vibration signals were measured by piezoelectric accelerometers. Two induction motor cases were examined — a healthy motor case, and a combination of static eccentricity with soft foot case. As shown, acoustic analysis appears to be a valuable technique for condition monitoring of electric motors — particularly in noisy industrial environments.

Leaky Shaft Seals

conveying system on the varnishing line for a manufacturer of high-end kitchen cabinets were leaking. Oil was dripping on the cabinet parts — ruining the finish. Why were half of the gearboxes leaking?

Feature Articles

Can You Develop Your Own Custom Motor-and-Motion System

In this century’s complex, ever- changing world of manufacturing, such capabilities as hardware and software expertise, effective location and distribution, business savvy and yes, even luck, are some of the cardinal requirements for running a successful business.

Closer to the Sun

Without the sun, there would be no Earth and no life. However, our knowledge about our home star is still very limited. This is about to change. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) will send its Solar Orbiter into space, equipped with a thick heat shield.

Guide to Selecting and Replacing Synchronous Belts

Just as we now consider rotary dial phones archaic, so are many installed synchronous belt drives. That they continue to operate is testimony to their durability. But that should not prevent you from taking advantage of newer synchronous belt drive technology that can improve both equipment design and field installations.

Bringing Nadcap to the Medical Industry

The medical device industry today has numerous standards and regulations to follow, most notable amongst them being ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. However, these requirements have a shared blind spot: critical processes (heat treating, sterilization, etc.). In the medical industry, all of the standards and audits suppliers need to adhere to focus on general system quality. If the critical processes aren’t being looked at equipment can still fail because of poor craftsmanship.

Ask the Expert

High Gear Ratio Epicyclic Drives

Referencing a June 2014 Article, “High Gear Ratio Epicyclic Drives Analysis,” by Dr. Alex Kapelevich: I have designed a small compound epicyclic gearbox with common planets. Sun = 10 teeth Planet = 14 teeth Ring Gear stationary = 38 teeth Ring gear output = 41 teeth profile shifted onto a 38 tooth pitch diameter. Carriers are simply cages for the planet alignment and location. According to your article, and according to my calculations and the prototype I have built, my inputto- output ratio is a reduction of 65.6:1. I am using a ~ VG1 viscosity grease and Nylatron materials for the gears and carriers.

Power Play

The Stage Where It Happens

Although David Korins had an impressive resume of Broadway, film, television and music credits, the New York-based production designer had something to prove when interviewing for the pop culture phenomenon Hamilton. “I prepped for the interview like crazy, sketching out my ideas, presenting a scene breakdown, basically doing everything I could short of begging for the job,” Korins said. “Lin Manuel Miranda (the show’s creator and star) had developed an incredibly effective blueprint. I just wanted the opportunity to help tell his story.”