Chains and sprockets: How they work together

Chains and sprockets are important elements in the design and mechanisms of machines and equipment. They are indispensable when it comes to the mechanical transfer of motion and force. But what types of chains and sprockets are there and what are their specific characteristics?

10 Minutes read

Testing technology - Testing of printed circuit boards (spring contact pins)

Reliable test methods are essential in electronics manufacturing. Spring contact pins serve as a precise interface for testing connections in electronic assemblies. But how exactly are spring contact pins used and which variants are available? In this article, you'll discover the many uses and different designs of these precise testing tools.

8 Minutes read

Conveyor technology - Specifications and selection of conveyor timing belts

Conveyor timing belts are a particularly efficient and versatile drive solution in conveyor technology. Unlike conventional conveyor belts or chain drives, they offer synchronized and therefore slip-free power transmission. They are indispensable in many applications. However, there are a few factors to consider when selecting.

7 Minutes read

Contact corrosion: Chemical affinity and its impact

Corrosion is much more than just superficial rust. When incompatible metals are joined, their direct contact can cause profound damage due to galvanic corrosion. The process behind galvanic corrosion is based on electrochemical processes and preferentially occurs in wet, salty, or aggressive environments. Under these conditions, it leads to the inevitable degradation of the less noble metal. In this article, we show how contact corrosion works, which materials are particularly affected and which preventive measures are effective.

14 Minutes read

Steel Hardening Processes - An Overview

Steel is a versatile material in industry and is particularly popular for its robustness. However, this robustness is not a fundamental property of steel, but rather the result of purposeful hardening processes. In this article, we introduce the processes of steel hardening, provide an overview of hardening methods, and list common errors and problems.

2 Minutes read

Pneumatics - Selecting a compact air cylinder in 6 steps

Pneumatic cylinders are versatile drive elements that produce precise linear motion by using compressed air. Depending on the application, different technical properties are required. For example, vacuum valves with volumetric flow restrictors enable precise control of airflow, while integrated anti-rotation devices increase operational reliability. But how do I choose the right compressed air cylinder for my application? This article gives you a comprehensive overview of what is involved when selecting pneumatic cylinders or compressed air cylinders so that you can make informed decisions in the future and select the cylinder that best suits your needs.

12 Minutes read

Spring plungers overview - Functions, types, materials and mounting types

From locking, positioning to ejecting - spring plungers are small but crucial components in machines, fixtures and automated systems. Their variety of designs, materials and mounting styles makes them extremely versatile - but also require explanation. In this article, you will obtain a practical overview of the most important functions, types and materials as well as valuable information on the correct selection and professional installation.

14 Minutes read

Durable plain bearings and rolling bearings: How purposeful material selection minimizes friction, wear and corrosion

Bearings are central functional components in almost all machines and systems. However, their service life depends not only on design and lubrication, but significantly on an often underestimated factor: the right material pairing. Friction, wear, and corrosion are among the most common causes of bearing failure, with significant consequences for efficiency, maintenance, and operational safety. Understanding their causes and already counteracting these in a purposeful way in the material selection can extend service life, reduce energy losses, and increase the reliability of entire systems. In this article, we show how basic tribological principles, suitable metal pairings, and purposeful protective measures work together – and why the choice of materials in bearing technology is far more than merely a strength decision.

12 Minutes read

Cooling and cleaning in production - Air nozzles and spray nozzles

From machining, to welding processes or along the conveyor: In modern manufacturing, precise cooling and reliable cleaning are essential for quality, process reliability and productivity. Air nozzles and spray nozzles offer flexible solutions - from precise blow-off to liquid surface wetting. In this blog, you will learn which nozzle types are suited for which applications, how jet shape and spray angle impact the effect and what really matters when selecting, designing and integrating into the system.

12 Minutes read

Lock nuts and other types of screw locks

In industrial applications, inconspicuous details often determine operational reliability, maintenance and product service life – including screw locking devices. Whether in mechanical engineering, material handling or robotics, a loosened screw can have costly consequences. In this blog, we take a real-world look at locknuts and introduce alternative locking methods – from locknuts to adhesives to interlocking solutions – with an analysis of their efficacy and a clear classification according to locking principles.

16 Minutes read

Guide to reading micrometers

When components are manufactured within tight tolerances, the precise handling of micrometers is very important. But correct reading has to be learned: What scales are there? What does the reference line show? And how is the measurand actually determined? In our current blog post, micrometers are explained in detail. We show you step by step how to read analog micrometers correctly – with hands-on examples, typical sources of error and tips from manufacturing engineering.

12 Minutes read

Pneumatics - Calculating air consumption and required air volume for pneumatic cylinders

How much compressed air does a pneumatic cylinder really need? In this article, you'll learn how to calculate the air consumption of double-acting cylinders and which influencing factors are critical. In industrial applications of pneumatic systems, precise analysis of air demand is essential to conserve energy and increase plant efficiency. In practical terms, we show what matters in the calculation, including the formula, an example, and tips for optimization.

8 Minutes read

Types of proximity switches in mechanical engineering quality assurance (high-precision switches)

High-precision switches are used in mechanical engineering when the task at hand is determining exact positions, checking manufacturing tolerances, or for process monitoring. Depending on the application, there are different types of switches that this article presents in detail.

5 Minutes read

Temperature sensors and thermostats

Temperature sensors and thermostats are technical components that provide precise temperature monitoring and control in industry, households, and automation. From thermocouples, RTDs, or bimetallic switches, each system has specific strengths and applications. This article provides an overview of the various components for accurate temperature measurement and temperature monitoring and shows differences and typical applications of the most important temperature sensors and thermostats. Find the right solution for your temperature measurement needs.

12 Minutes read

Avoiding cable breakage - Selecting the right energy chain

Many industries use machines or industrial robots. A stable power supply to these machines is essential to ensure trouble-free operation. Cable breakage and premature wear can lead to costly downtime. Energy chains provide reliable cable routing, increase the service life of the energy lines and improve operational reliability. But which energy chain is right for your application? This blog provides step-by-step guidance on how to best design your energy chains to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal maintenance.

9 Minutes read

Types of switches as safety devices in mechanical engineering

Safety switches play an important role in mechanical engineering. They minimize accidents by reliably interrupting or preventing hazardous movements and processes in the event of an emergency. Depending on the application, different types of safety switches are used. This article provides an overview of various safety switches, their functions and their applications.

4 Minutes read

Conveyor technology - Flat belts, conveyor belts and material chutes

Conveyor design and configuration play an important role in material handling. Physical parameters such as the coefficient of friction between the belt and the transport material as well as the surface structure of the transport material determine the maximum inclination angle. This article explains the relevant physical relationships and presents field-proven optimization measures for long-lasting systems.

7 Minutes read

Conveyor technology - Wear indicators of synchronous belts / tolerances of timing pulleys

Synchronous belts or timing belts are installed as drive elements in a wide variety of applications. They are characterized by extremely precise synchronization and efficiency. This feature is used in applications where accurate timing is important, such as positioning tasks or a conveyor belt in the packaging, food or automotive industries. However, it is particularly important in these areas to detect and correct signs of timing belt wear early. In this article, you will learn about the typical signs of wear that occur with synchronous belts and what measures you can use to specifically extend their service life.

8 Minutes read

Correct selection of gearbox synchronous belts

A precisely designed synchronous belt drive is key to efficient and durable power transmission in industrial applications. However, what is important when choosing the right belt? From calculating the rated power to determining the optimum belt width to verifying the center distance between shafts, each step affects the performance and service life of the drive system. Excessive tension can overload components; insufficient tension can cause slippage or tooth failure. That’s why the right belt tension is critical for reliable operation. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to determine the ideal belt configuration step-by-step, which calculation formulas are available to assist you, and what to look for during adjustment and maintenance.

28 Minutes read

Aluminum groove profile - Overview and calculation of deflection

Aluminum construction profiles and system profiles act as load-bearing frame profile in mechanical and process engineering. Together with the respective attachments, the aluminum profile forms a stable and lightweight structure for housings and structural and functional tasks. In this article, you will get an overview of available aluminum construction profiles and how to calculate deflection.

12 Minutes read