Rotron® brand regenerative blowers designed for commercial spa agitation have been engineered to develop ideal air flows and pressures for optimized aeration in spas and hot tubs. This specialty family of blowers includes five standard models available with a wide range of options and accessories to meet the most demanding application requirements. [Continue Reading Article]

In order to provide a wide variety of motion control solutions, the Super-K Model Kinechek is being offered. Super-K Kinechek models offer the advantages of a long 4 inch or 6 inch stroke unit within a short overall length. These leak proof Kinechek models can handle loads of up to 1200 lbs. Super-K’s have been used extensively in robotics, food processing equipment and packaging machines. [Continue Reading Article]

Space ships and refrigerators really aren’t so different. Sure, one is used in every home to keep perishables cold and the other is a vessel that costs millions and millions of dollars for outer space exploration, but without gaskets, both would break down almost immediately. There would be rotten food and astronaut casualties everywhere. Now that you know how important they are, you might be surprised at how simple they are—gaskets are merely round, flexible little rings with a flat profile, essentially used to create a mechanical seal by filling the space between 2 objects. They prevent liquid and gas leaks while under pressure, maintain proper part spacing and dampen vibration. They’ve been used for a better half of a century, and are made of many different flexible materials, including rubber, silicone, Teflon and plastic. [Continue Reading Article]

I think we can all agree that the last year hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park for any business. Unemployment hit double digits, the GDP shrank, and manufacturing revenues decreased by almost 11%. But that was 2009. After ringing in the new year, the big question on everyone’s mind, especially in manufacturing is this: will 2010 get any better? A small turnaround started late last summer with GDP expansion pace of more than 5% in the 4th quarter of ‘09, and economic activity expanded every month since August in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Tiny numbers, but still, we’re seeing growth for the first time since 2007. Now, the glass may not be half full quite yet, but the water is starting to flow. Most forecasts are leaning on the optimistic side for this next year—90% of predictions state that 2010 will be the same or better than 2009. [Continue Reading Article]

When I’m in the self check-out line at the grocery store, I can’t help but feel a little bitter. In school, I worked part time as a cashier, and here we have this machine that has completely replaced my fine skills. It remembers all the vegetable PLUs, always gives correct change, and even tells me to have a good day. Someday, the cashier may become obsolete, being completely replaced by automation equipment. On one hand, that’s a lot of lost jobs—cashier is the most common occupation in the United States, and if they all become automated, there will no longer be a need for humans. On the other hand, though, the grocery store doesn’t have to pay workers, the machines never make mistakes, and the line moves much faster. [Continue Reading Article]

When was the last time you cleaned behind your refrigerator? Perhaps never, but for those diligent cleaners out there that have, I bet it wasn’t too difficult to move that 400 pound appliance all by yourself. That may seem like an amazing feat, but really, it was those small wheels attached to the base of the fridge that did all the work. They’re called casters, and these simple devices have revolutionized more than just deep cleaning your house—they can help virtually any piece of furniture move with ease, eliminating the need to lift hundreds of pounds with a light push or pull movement that almost anyone can accomplish easily, even my Grandmother. I’m sure you’ve seen them all over the place. They’re the small black rubber wheels on the bottom of shopping carts, and, since you’re using a computer at this very moment, there’s a good chance they are supporting your weight as you read this. Does your chair move back and fourth with a little push off the desk? If so, look down…casters! They are everywhere. [Continue Reading Article]

To all extreme feminists out there, I apologize, but I readily admit that there are some things I would rather just have a man do for me. I’m all about being an independent woman making a living and supporting myself; however, when it comes to things mechanical or electrical…that’s just what they are to me – thingies. Say I encounter a pressure gauge in real life: I wouldn’t give much thought to the thingy. I’m good just as long as my tires have the right pressure and my doctor says I have healthy blood pressure. I did, however, discover some tips for selecting pressure gauges. [Continue Reading Article]

A new vibratory screener that discharges oversized particles 360° around the periphery of a circular screening deck increases capacity, improves efficiency, minimizes screen blinding and prolongs screen life, according to Henry Alamzad, president, Kason Corp. [Continue Reading Article]

There’s a statistic out there that claims we use only 20% of what we own, and when I look around the office and think about my full-to-the-brim closet at home, that sounds about right. I think it’s also true for factories and warehouses, probably more so. The other 80%, whether in your home or workplace, must be stored somehow. And if you want to make your life a whole lot easier, it should be organized. In industrial environments, where large amounts of bulky, heavy boxes and equipment require tough steel shelving, there are tons of different options out there to consider for organizing unused inventory, equipment and supplies. Before you get too overwhelmed and choose the wrong system, peruse these options and decide which best fits your workspace, time and weight capacity. [Continue Reading Article]

Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions, Inc., a leading manufacturer of linear motion products, introduces the G4 37000 Series Can-stack Stepper Motor Linear Actuator, built for extended reliability and high performance. [Continue Reading Article]

Almost all the metals we use today—silver, aluminum, brass, even steel—are alloys, a homogenous mix of a metal and one or more other substances that enhances or changes its properties. In fact, very few metals are actually put to use in their pure form. From ancient times till now, humans have been experimenting and engineering alloys so they exhibit certain properties for thousands of years. There are literally an infinite number of combinations, all resulting in very different structural properties. In a way, metals and elements team up, work together and pool their strengths to make different metallic substances. Alloys may be a homogenous solid solution, a heterogeneous mix of tiny crystals or a true chemical compound. [Continue Reading Article]

Wire mesh is a pretty useful household material—not only does it help wash foods and drain pasta, it keeps pesky bugs out while allowing a cool summer breeze in. It functions decoratively inside cabinets and protects furniture and people from flying embers in a fireplace. It’s found in all sorts of filtration systems, vents, sifters and screens to keep the air/water flowing and the dust and particles trapped. For a moment, think about a world without any wire mesh. Bugs flying freely indoors and dirt in our water, life would be a lot filthier and less sanitary. Wire mesh is essentially composed of a series of thin, perpendicular wires that are woven or welded together. These two manufacturing processes determine the strength, complexity, and different applications in which wire mesh is used. [Continue Reading Article]