Basic knowledge

Properties of plastics – Which plastics are suited for mechanical engineering?

Technical plastics are an indispensable part of modern industry. In custom machine construction in particular, they find a wide range of applications because they have a high degree of flexibility and formability. It is important to know what properties plastics must have in components and standard parts in custom machine construction. This article describes the most important applications for plastics in mechanical engineering.

4 Minutes read

Tutorial: Modulus of elasticity of steel – Materials science

Steel is an important material in modern industry and is used for a variety of applications. A crucial property to consider when using steels is their elasticity. The modulus of elasticity or Young’s modulus indicates how much stress is needed to achieve a certain degree of elongation. In this article we will look at the different types of steels and their respective elastic moduli.

5 Minutes read

Form and position tolerances iaw. ISO 1101 and Japanese standard JIS B 0001: The most important information

Form and position tolerances are technical specifications that ensure uniform handling of dimensions and tolerances in manufacturing. They are mainly used in the manufacture of components in order to ensure the accuracy of parts.

6 Minutes read

Tolerance classes iaw. ISO 22081 and DIN ISO 2768: Optimized use of general tolerances

Tolerances are an essential aspect for manufacturing mechanically moving parts, as they ensure the correct interaction of components. General tolerances and their tolerance classes are used to simplify drawings. The standard DIN ISO 2768 specifies tolerances. Many design engineers use general tolerances as a simplified variation of tolerances to facilitate the design process.

10 Minutes read

Screws – Overview of standard

There are different designation systems for the properties of screws. The underlying standards form the basis for classifying and designating screw types. This article briefly presents some of the different screw standards and their differences, and provides a general overview of screws in the European region.

16 Minutes read

Fit types and tolerances – An overview

Tolerances and fits are critical in the manufacturing industry. In the technical sense, tolerances define a permissible deviation from a defined property, such as a nominal dimension. They ensure that products and components meet the required quality standards.

8 Minutes read

Positioning Stages as Optimal Guide in the Machine – Overview and applications

This article explores the different types of manual stages and their applications. Manual stages are special tables that are used, among other things, in quality assurance and automated measuring technology for calibration and process monitoring.

5 Minutes read

Gripper Systems for Material Handling in Mechanical Engineering

Particularly in large production plants and production chains, it is imperative to deal with handling techniques for materials and workpieces. Due to the weight alone, it is e.g. almost impossible to move materials manually. This is where material handling starts: Gripper systems or conveyor belts, for example, facilitate the movement and control of materials and increase efficiency. In the following, we will take a closer look at various gripper systems and how they are utilized.

10 Minutes read

Standard Parts in Tool Manufacture – Knobs, Levers and Handles

Standard parts are indispensable building blocks in tool and mold manufacture. They are the foundation for the production of precise molds, tools and devices. Standard parts are standard components and are used to increase efficiency, reduce costs and ensure the interoperability of manufacturing processes. This article describes how standard parts are defined, what distinguishes them from standard parts, and where standard parts such as knobs, levers, and handles are used.

9 Minutes read

Milled parts as freely configurable components through Make-to-Order – Flexibility in contract manufacturing

Make-to-Order (MTO) is the classic production process for customised production. Make-to-Order means contract manufacturing. In this process, production takes place according to individual customer requirements and only begins after the customer has placed an order. Unlike Make-to-Stock (MTS), where production and stock levels are pre-determined, MTO components are only manufactured after receipt of a customer order.

7 Minutes read

Turned parts – Precisely configurable Make-to-Order (MTO) components

Make-to-Order (MTO) turned parts and components are an important part of the modern manufacturing industry. Make-to-Order means contract manufacturing. This means that production only begins when a specific order is available. In contrast to Make-To-Stock (MTS), where products are produced for stock, MTO components are only manufactured after order receipt.

6 Minutes read

Intrinsic Vibration Behavior of Springs

In mechanical engineering, tension and compression springs are an important part of the design of mechanical systems, applications and uses. The properties of springs, such as their return force and spring constant, influence the performance and functionality of machines. In order to understand these properties and the vibration behavior of spring systems, we look in this article at the physical relationships between spring systems and the relationship between the natural frequency and resonance.

7 Minutes read

How to select the right component surface – Basic knowledge about surface roughness

Surface roughness and surface hardness are important properties that must be considered when selecting components. Although there are various methods to measure roughness or surface roughness of the surface of a component. However, these measurements often have to be converted to a standard dimension.

5 Minutes read

Cam followers and roller followers - basic knowledge and intended use

From conveyor systems to robot-controlled production lines, cam followers enable the effortless movement of loads. A smooth process in industrial manufacturing and material handling depends on efficient and precise movement systems. Cam followers and roller followers play a decisive role here. Here, cam followers and roller followers ensure reliable guidance of linear movement. In this blog article, we dive into the basic knowledge of these components and examine their intended utilization in industrial practice.

7 Minutes read

The strongest surface treatments for metals – Indestructible, durable and low-maintenance

The choice of the right surface treatment depends largely on the requirements placed on the surface. There are a number of different surface treatments that can be used depending on your needs. In this blog article, we present the strongest, hardest and most durable surface treatments.

4 Minutes read

Metals and surface treatments – An overview

Industrial surface treatment is a process in which the surface of a workpiece is machined to improve or change its mechanical, chemical or visual properties.

7 Minutes read

Types, properties and utilization of retaining rings

The retaining ring is one of the most important tools in construction. It is used to secure individual components and prevent axial movement. In this article, we will take a look at the different types of retaining rings, their features and their utilization.

3 Minutes read

Manual locating units – Precision in small spaces

Locating units play a central role in mechanics and are essential for designers in many different applications. In this article, we will review how locating units, their different types and their applications work.

7 Minutes read
Image - Slotted coupling with encoder

Transmission of rotational movements – Basics of couplings

When shafts and axes are coupled in a machine, there is always a misalignment between the centre points of the shafts. The coupling compensates for this alignment error by the elasticity of the component or mechanical element during rotation or power transmission. Whether you are an experienced engineer or just diving into the world of mechanical engineering, this article gives you a comprehensive insight into the basics of couplings.

4 Minutes read

Friction and friction coefficient determination of friction values of materials

The friction coefficient is a physical variable derived from the field of tribology for the friction between two objects. The friction coefficient sets the force that occurs during friction (frictional force) in relation to the force with which the objects are pressed together (pressing force). The friction coefficient is thus an important parameter when examining material wear and sliding properties. This article explains the basics of the friction coefficient, its measurement methods and its applications in technology.

9 Minutes read