Mechanical Products

Corrosion-resistant universal joints for high-vacuum apps

Belden Inc., manufacturer of universal joints, offers corrosion-resistant universal joints and complete shaft assemblies for Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) applications. For use in an UHV environment, special materials, extreme cleanliness, and baking of the entire system to remove traces of water and gases are required.

Universal joints and complete shaft assemblies are manufactured from a variety of stainless steel grades, including AISI 303 (1.4305), 304 (1.4301), and 316L (1.4404) to prevent outgassing. Outgassing is a major issue for UHV systems and is minimized by utilizing materials with low vapor pressure, such as stainless steel. The yokes of the universal joints as well as the pins and block are machined from the same selected stainless steel. The joint can be supplied free of grease and lubricants to minimize the effort necessary to clean the parts for installation.

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Belden

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Bend and stretch flexible latex rubber tubing

Natural latex rubber tubing is now available from NewAge Industries for applications requiring repeated flexing and stretching. Long used in the healthcare industry, it has expanded into the food, toy, instrumentation, exercise equipment, and sporting goods fields.

Known for its extreme flexibility, latex is among the most elastic rubber materials in use today. Resiliency is another quality of latex tubing, allowing it to maintain memory after repeated elongation, distortion, and pulsation. NewAge’s latex tubing, called Newtex, also withstands repeated sterilization with steam, Ethylene Oxide, or gamma radiation. There are no added plasticizers, coagulants, or fillers to migrate and contaminate the stream or cause tube hardening. Newtex remains flexible even at cold temperatures approaching -60°F (-51°C).

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NewAge Industries

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Remote air pilot valves control media separated solvents

The Spartan Scientific Series APV-10 is a two-way, two-position, air piloted valve that can be controlled by either a three-way, four-way solenoid valve or a hand pilot valve. Its media separated reciprocating piston operator controls air, fluids, fluid emulsions, water, or any other media that is compatible with the valve body materials. With standard sealing materials including Buna, Viton, or PTFE, the versatile APV-10 is suitable for almost any application involving media control of solvents, water, water with suspended particles, and coolants.

The APV-10 is offered in normally open or normally closed versions as well as a double-acting version.

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Spartan Scientific

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Conveyor chains provide reliable transport for hard plastics

“Spike” chains available from SKF provide reliable solutions to transport thermoformed and other hard plastics widely used in packaging applications. Their uniquely angled spikes precisely puncture the plastic along the “discard” side and then pull the material smoothly during the conveying process.

These high-performance conveyor chains feature double strands for superior rigidity and optimum support of packaging materials. Pitches range from 1/2 in. to 5/8 in. to satisfy typical application requirements.

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SKF

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Universal three-finger centric gripper

The JGZ centric gripper is the first three-finger gripper in SCHUNK’s new “Compact Class” that offers all essential functions and an excellent price-performance ratio. This universal gripper is intended for use in clean to slightly dirty environments, and is available in sizes 64 to 160.

With its large piston, wedge-hook kinematics, and sturdy T-slot guidance, the JGZ grippers achieve gripping forces from 130 lb to 1,819 lb and weigh between 0.95 lb and 17.6 lb.

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SCHUNK

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New self-lubricating flanged linear ball bearings

MISUMI USA offers round, square, and compact flange-style, single or double linear ball bushings for a variety of industrial applications. These products are available standard in 52100 bearing steel (with or without electroless nickel-plated surface) or 440C stainless steel cylinder and ball construction, with resin or stainless steel retainers, Nitrile rubber seals, and operating temperature ranges from –20°C to 120°C (~ -4°F to 248°F).

These bearings feature tight tolerances on all critical dimensions, a necessity for handling shafts in continuous operation or rugged environments. Misumi flanged linear ball bushings accept shaft diameters from 6 mm to 50 mm and easily surface mount through four predrilled holes in the flange. Depending upon the size, a two-hole or four-hole style is offered in the compact flange design.

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Misumi

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Parts resist bleaching and SIP/CIP

Custom-machined Eratalyte TX parts that are strong, dimensionally stable, and bleach-resistant for meat, poultry, food, and pharmaceutical processing applications are being introduced by Slideways, Inc.

Slideways’ Eratalyte TX parts are machined to customer specification for applications that require parts that are highly wear resistant and can withstand bleaching and SIP/CIP. Suitable for indirect and direct food contact, these internally lubricated parts wear up to five times better than standard Delrin acetal, claims the firm.

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Slideways

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Humidity indicator plugs install easily to monitor closed containers

A full line of desiccator plugs, humidity indicator plugs, and windows that can be installed on rigid and flexible containers to monitor the humidity inside is available from Sphinx Adsorbents.

Sphinx Desiccator Plugs, Humidity Indicator Plugs, and Windows can be installed on rigid metal containers, fiber drums, and vapor-proof bags to provide a visual indication of the humidity levels inside without breaking a seal. Ideal where the long-term preservation of container contents is critical, they are adaptable to virtually all applications for Method II packaging of MIL-STD-2073-1D Method 50 and AS26860 aerospace specifications.

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Sphinx

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High airflow for high-static-pressure applications

SPAL USA introduces AP90 High Output (H.O.) Series electric cooling fans to improve airflow in high-static-pressure applications including diesel trucks, racing, off-road vehicles, and buses.

Like all SPAL fans, the AP90 models feature rigid, glass-filled nylon blades — dynamically balanced internally and externally to minimize vibration. The fan motors are sealed and individually balanced, and the entire assembly is high-heat resistant, meaning the fan can be expected to outlive the vehicle in which it is installed.

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SPAL USA

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“Minimum Quantity Lubrication” video

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) announces the release of "Minimum Quantity Lubrication," part of the SME Manufacturing Insights Video Series. Hundreds of manufacturing operations are finding that methods and tools that support near-dry machining, or minimum quantity lubrication (MQL), provide numerous benefits in both metal cutting and forming operations.

This video surveys four very different manufacturers that use MQL to apply only the minimum amount of lubricant needed for each job: Ford Motor Company, Amerimax, Advanced Mold, and World Machinery and Saws System Co. Each of these companies had once relied on traditional flood-coolant methods that supply large amounts of fluids to the machining process — creating high handling, cleaning, and disposal costs, as well as hazards to plant workers' skin and lungs.

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SME

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Space-saving safety light curtains simplify installation

F3SJ Safety Light Curtains from Omron Scientific Technologies make selecting and installing a safety light curtain easier than ever. Users need only specify the required configuration type and sensor length. F3SJ safety light curtains are available in finger-protection, hand-protection, or hand/limb body-protection configurations. Sensors with protective heights of up to nearly 2.5 m are available for applications that involve large-size workpieces.

The F3SJ safety light curtain is 6 mm thinner than previous models. The low profile allows users to add safety to existing equipment without the safety light curtains getting in the way. F3SJ cables (0.3 m) have M12 connectors, a 5-mm bending radius, and can be routed in literally any direction for simplified wiring. Up to four sets, or 400 beams, can be connected in series.

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Omron STI

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Lifting rings, locking pins, and spring plungers meet DoD requirements

Jergens, Inc. has announced that three of its major product lines can be compliant with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.225-7014 Alternate 1 Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals. The requirements stipulate that certain specialty metals used in parts supplied to the Department of Defense by a U.S. company be melted in the U.S. or certain qualifying countries.

“We are pleased to offer domestically sourced specialty metal products to the DoD and other customers,” says Jack Schron Jr., Jergens’ president. “Although any item Jergens sells has the potential to be purchased as a DFARS item, we expect the most commonly requested items to be our Kwik-Lok Locking Pins, lifting rings, and spring plungers.”

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Jergens

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Fluoropolymer etched tubing has increased shelf life by 50%

Parker-TexLoc now offers etched Fluoropolymer tubing with 50% more shelf life than conventional etched products and a 20% higher dyne rating. The added strength that lengthens the shelf life also strengthens the intensity of the etch, thus creating a stronger bond when fused to other objects. Typically, the improved Fluoropolymer Etched Tubing, made to Parker TexLoc standards, has a 10% to 30% deeper etch than products etched with a similar medium and in a similar fashion. Etch depth is measured in angstroms.

Because the lubricity of the Fluoropolymer tubing surface hampers its bondability/wettability, etching is required to alter the molecular structure of the surface. The chemical reaction between the etch medium and the tubing strips the fluorine molecules exposing the carbon molecules. Once the surface lubricity has been altered, the tubing can be bonded to almost any surface.

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Parker-TexLoc

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Get flexible material handling with vacuum gripper systems

The VGS (vacuum gripper systems) series from PIAB is comprised of three gripper system sizes that allow users to increase productivity and lower operating costs. With varying levels of vacuum flow, the units provide a range of flexible material handling solutions that reduce energy consumption, have faster response times, and improve reliability. The VGS series is ideal for applications throughout the production line like pick-and-place, injection molding, and palletizing.

Each system utilizes an integrated COAX cartridge, designed to position vacuum power precisely where it’s needed, making maximum use of energy and increasing speed by eliminating line losses and inefficiencies. Vacuum flow levels are dependent on the size of the cartridge integrated in the system. The VGS series also features DURAFLEX suction cups in varying sizes, ensuring a strong and reliable seal on difficult to handle materials like plastic bags and cardboard boxes.

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PIAB

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Synthetic coolant provides exceptional lubricity

Rustlick Vytron-N is a universal synthetic machining coolant valuable in a wide range of applications, including grinding, sawing, tapping, drilling, turning, and milling. Not only is Rustlick Vytron-N low foaming and provides excellent lubricity, but it also contributes an extraordinary level of rust protection.

The exceptional biostability and superior way-lube rejection of Rustlick Vytron-N keeps the coolant cleaner to promote long-term sump life and prevent rancidity when properly maintained. Furthermore, Rustlick Vytron-N’s transparent solution allows for fast settling of fines and easy visibility of workpieces. Rustlick Vytron-N is good for all-purpose machining and grinding on ferrous metals and is available in 1-, 5-, or 55-gallon containers.

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ITW ROCOL

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Battery-free infrared touch probe

For users looking for an alternative to battery-operated touch probes for machining applications, HEIDENHAIN Corporation offers the TS 444 infrared touch probe. The new TS 444 can be powered by an alternative energy source in the form of compressed air supplied through the spindle of the machine tool, and can be of use with all HEIDENHAIN control systems.

To operate the TS 444 touch probe, compressed air is introduced into the touch probe via the taper shank and powers a turbine wheel inside the unit. The turbine wheel generates electrical energy (stored in high-power capacitors) through changes in the magnetic field.

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HEIDENHAIN

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Double-coated tapes cover a broad range of foam bonding needs

Designed to bond to most foam and gasket materials, the 3175M tape system is ideal for automotive, construction, electronics, foam fabricating, industrial, and sound attenuation applications. 3175M consists of rubber-based adhesive on the exposed side that bonds to a wide variety of polyurethane and polyethylene foams, felt, rubber, sponge, cork, abrasive, and gasket materials.

Adchem Corporation offers two double-coated tape systems that provide bonds to 90% of tested urethanes, neoprene, and polyethylene foams, as well as excellent bond strength to most corks and rubber materials. The 3175M double-coated aggressive rubber polyester film tape systems and the 5944M double-coated rubber and acrylic tape systems are available in several widths and liner options to meet most fabricating requirements.

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Adchem

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Extreme-grade gaskets maximize safety

Garlock Sealing Technologies announces its Extreme Grade line of gaskets for critical service applications. Rated Best in Class for sealability, load retention, adhesion, and fire safety, the Extreme Grade line is designed to maximize safety and environmental compliance.

The new Extreme Grade line seals 20% more effectively than the original design to help plants meet emissions standards and increase efficiency. Featuring a new anti-stick coating that prevents the gasket from sticking to flanges, the gaskets cut maintenance costs, reduce flange damage, and dramatically cut downtime. Further, the new material expedites gasket removal and installation and reduces outage cycles.

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Garlock

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Gantry robot for mixing and spray applications

I&J Fisnar gantry robots are heavy-duty machines ideal for integrating with two-part fluid metering and mixing systems. The I&J9000 series of machines are Cartesian gantry designs selected for conveyor-fed processes or when it is desirable that the robot movement is above the work, such as in a spray application. A remote meter and mixing head unit can be mounted on the robot’s z-axis arm, which is capable of carrying up to 7 kg running at 1.000 mm/sec.

I&J Fisnar gantry robots are capable of storing up to 100 programs of 3,000 points per program. Repeatability of 20 microns and resolution of 10 microns make the I&J9000 suitable for very fine dispensing operations in addition to larger applications of up to 800 mm x 600 mm (larger on request).

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I&J Fisnar

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Duct stays in place, once bent

Flexaust Pliaduct is a 100% rigid, self-supporting PVC duct with a ribbon-lock construction that lets users expand the diameter up to 25% by twisting it, using both hands, to fit nozzles, funnels, or fittings. Ideal for spot cooling applications, this wireless, flame-retardant duct may be reshaped and spliced together without tools and stays in place once bent.

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Flexaust

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