Schaeffler Aids Wave-Energy Converter Development

Working with Pelamis wave power, Schaeffler has enabled a breakthrough in the design of the next generation of renewable wave-energy converters. The 'P2' design is said to be more efficient and cost effective than its predecessors. The main tube structures are connected by the main bearings units, which use a combination of Schaeffler bearings, and there are four hydraulic rams at each main joint, pivoting on precision bearing arrangements.

Key to the success of the joint concept was a low-friction material designed and developed by Schaeffler. This modified PTFE fabric liner is part of the Elgoglide range, with low-friction characteristics that have effectively eliminated 'stick slip'. This has allowed the operating envelope of the machine to be extended beyond the capabilities allowed by standard bearing materials, according to the company.

Schaeffler Catalog Details Large-Size Bearings

A 1,100-page technical compendium on large-size bearings is now available from Schaeffler (UK). Catalogue GL1 provides original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users with an overview of the range of large-size bearings available from Schaeffler for heavy machinery and equipment.

The catalogue provides technical information on more than 10,000 bearings under the INA and FAG brands with outside diameters (ODs) of up to 2,800mm. It is designed to complement the company's existing HR1 rolling-bearings catalogue, which includes rolling bearings with ODs of up to 1,300mm. The new catalogue also contains bearing accessories, special rolling bearings, spherical plain bearings and bearing housings.

Schaeffler's INA- and FAG-branded large-size bearings are suitable for heavy industry applications, including steel, paper, mining and mineral processing, industrial power transmission, wind turbines, rail, production machinery and the energy sector. In most of these industries, large-size bearings are critical in ensuring the high reliability, energy efficiency and correct functioning of drive systems and other important machine components, according to the company.

Catalogue GL1 shows which products are suitable for specific bearing arrangements and which factors need to be considered during the design process, the tolerances required of the adjacent structures and how the bearing can be sealed effectively in light of the application conditions. The catalogue also provides detailed information on service life calculations, operating temperatures and loads, lubricant selection and suitability and how the products should be mounted, dismounted and maintained.

HMK Incorporates Schaeffler Actuators Into Range

HMK has teamed up with Schaeffler UK to incorporate Schaeffler's INA range of mechanical actuators and driven linear units into HMK's portfolio for the machine building and factory automation markets. For customers, the partnership brings together the bearings knowledge and mechanical engineering expertise of Schaeffler with the systems integration, automation and electro-mechanical expertise of HMK.

HMK's application engineers design, build and commission complete automation systems for OEM machine builders, systems integrators and blue-chip end users, across a range of sectors, including food and beverage, life sciences, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, utilities, quarries and aggregates, plastics and rubber, aerospace and entertainment. HMK's service covers all aspects of electro-mechanical motion control solutions, from consultancy and product supply supported by software development, through to the test and commissioning of complex, engineered projects.

HMK engineers are also able to design and build panels for bespoke projects or serial machine production, as well as tailored mechanical assemblies for part-machine solutions from flange plate interface to complete handling robots. Schaeffler's range includes belt and ballscrew driven linear actuators, linear tables, fasteners, connectors and mounting brackets. INA linear actuator designs are based on either a track roller, recirculating ball monorail (with two, four or six rows of balls) or on a plain guidance system.

These units can be driven by toothed belts for high speed requirements, or by a ballscrew drive, where the principal requirement is for high positional accuracy. The actuators can also be supplied with new corrosion-resistant coatings and materials for harsh operating environments, such as in food and beverage production machines and machine tools. More complex designs include a telescopic version, a quill type with a stationary drive housing and moving support rail, and a tandem design in which a wider support rail accommodates two guidance systems and three toothed belts.

For moving larger masses in one or multiple axes, Schaeffler offers its INA linear tables or stages. These are capable of supporting high torques and are available with ballscrew drives or trapezoidal lead screws. To complement Schaeffler's range of mechanical actuators, the company also offers a range of precision direct-drive solutions including linear, rotary (torque) motors, planar drives, high-performance servo drives and amplifiers.