General Info

Cutting Tools - A small introduction

Whether it’s building machines, repair work in trades, or manufacturing precision components, cutting tools are used everywhere. Turning tools, milling tools, drilling tools, and grinding tools are used whenever material needs to be removed in the form of chips. This article explains the types of cutting tools available and what matters when using them.

Basic knowledgeMaterialsStandard parts
11 Minutes read

Safety devices in mechanical engineering

Work accidents when handling machines can never be completely ruled out – but can be significantly reduced by appropriate measures. Guards on machines and equipment prevent access to hazardous motion or areas. Not only do they protect against direct hazards, but they also make manipulation difficult and thus increase operational safety. The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC as well as standards such as DIN EN ISO 12100 and DIN EN ISO 14119 recommend the use of such safety devices already in the design phase. In this article, you will get a compact overview of different types of protective devices and learn which solutions are suitable for your applications.

Basic knowledge
8 Minutes read

Test technology - Positioning

Precise workpiece positioning is essential for reproducibility of measurement values in metrology, testing and gauge construction. Only when workpieces are precisely positioned and fixed can actual and target conditions be reliably compared to each other. This article highlights the challenges of positioning, introduces key components, and demonstrates how modern testing methods ensure accurate alignment.

Basic knowledgeInspectionPositioning
8 Minutes read

Machine vibration - Know and control mechanical vibrations

Whether damping, diverting or using them in a targeted manner: Mechanical vibrations can usually be controlled using suitable technical measures. If you understand the causes of vibration, components, machines and systems can not only be protected, but also specifically optimized. In this article, you will learn how mechanical vibrations can be influenced and the role of vibration types, damping components and modal analysis in mechanical engineering. You also gain insight into avoidance strategies, from limiting degrees of freedom to the targeted use of vibration dampers to designing vibration paths.

Basic knowledgeDamping
9 Minutes read

Energy in Mechanics - Kinetic, Potential and Thermal Energy

Energy is the central quantity of mechanical processes. It allows movement, acceleration, and the overcoming of forces. The article shows the differences in potential and kinetic energy and explains how to calculate mechanical power for different use cases. A particular focus is on energy conversion and typical loss mechanisms due to friction, damping, and deformation. In addition, it is shown how energy density and power density influence the efficiency of technical systems.

Basic knowledge
8 Minutes read

Damping Materials - Rubber and PU Rubber

Effective damping of mechanical oscillations, shocks and vibrations is a central criterion in the design of technical systems. Materials such as rubber and polyurethane rubber (PU) are characterized by high damping power, viscoelastic behavior and adjustable mechanical characteristics. Their targeted selection and modification allow for application-specific adaptation to dynamic loads, environmental conditions and service life requirements. We highlight the typical material properties, use cases and current developments in the area of damping polymer materials.

ConstructionDampingMaterials
21 Minutes read