Power transmission and gear components must meet extreme performance and reliability demands in order to prove effective on the battlefield. That’s because they are the heart of rotating mechanisms used to rapidly detect threats, home in on targets and quickly fire projectiles aboard combat vehicles and ships. In these situations, lives and mission success often …
In wire and cable manufacturing, dual-wheel capstans are used to pull crush-sensitive materials through a processing line at a constant linear speed. If the diameters of the two capstan wheels are slightly different and driven directly by standard speed reducers, the linear speed of the product will be different on each capstan. This can cause …
In wire or cable manufacturing, “caterpillar”-type linear capstans employ two belts that rotate at the same speed to pull the product through the processing line at a constant tension. If the capstan’s cable tension is unstable, equipment used for extrusion, winding, paying off or other processes down the line will be out of sync, resulting …
For wires and cables requiring extra protection against harsh and damaging conditions, armored cable eliminates the need to run conduit and simplifies installations. However, if the armoring equipment twists the sheathing material unevenly, it can ultimately compromise the cable’s ability to withstand punishment. In order to ensure consistent twisting, or lay, of the protective sheathing, …
When it comes to twisting and bunching wire and cable, consistency is key. For example, the amount of insulation required for residential wiring depends on the wire’s lay — the distance between its twists, which is also known as the pitch. Without tight control during the wire bunching process, lay variations occur. As a result, …
As modern tanks employ automated systems and heavier artillery for present and future combat missions, turret systems need high-performance gear mechanisms to handle the rotational speed necessary to locate targets and allow rapid firing of projectiles in any direction. However, not all motion components can accurately maneuver heavy payloads and withstand punishing conditions and be …
Planetary gearboxes are a cut above other gearbox types, thanks to a long list of advantages that includes exceptional power density, speed and space savings. But when it comes to high torque, precision, repeatability and backlash-free operation, not all planetary gearboxes are the same. A new white paper, Planetary Gearbox Considerations for High-Performance Applications, explains …
Rotating radar systems have proven effective on the battlefield and at sea, helping warfighters track incoming and outgoing missiles. Whether mounted aboard trucks or ships, the antennas used to track these targets revolve by means of a mechanically rotating ring gear and a planetary gearbox. Not only are the antennas heavy, they impose various forces …
Automation has come to the military like many other sectors, and vehicle-mounted mortar fire is no exception. The newest systems are compact in size and can rapidly fire 81-millimeter or larger shells. Computer-controlled, they operate with greater accuracy, longer range and less recoil. Given these advances, infantry units can “shoot and scoot” before an enemy …
Seven-axis articulated arm robots are a perfect option for operations looking to perform automated tasks with optimal speed, efficiency and productivity. Despite the undeniable advantages that adding a seven-axis system offers, system maintenance presents challenges that can cut into those benefits. For example, lubricating the rack and pinion systems, as well as the linear guides …