Mechanical Components Features

Veteran First World War warrior springs eternal

Even the tiniest detail counts in any worthy restoration project. Case in point is the venerable Sopwith Dolphin, a restored First World War aircraft, now on display in the Claude Graham-White building at RAF Museum Hendon, which has had a new set of extension springs specially manufactured for its replica Lewis guns.

SKF bearings to support world’s tallest observation wheel

SKF is preparing two giant bearings for the Las Vegas High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel. The two SKF spherical roller bearings for the hub of the 143m diameter wheel will be the largest ever produced at SKF's manufacturing facility in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Mountain bike suspension poses extreme test for bearings

Contrail MGN full-suspension bike from Bergamont is a top mountain bike model. It uses innovative technology, such as butted frame tubes with various wall thicknesses, as well as carbon fibre frame components to deliver Olympic winning performances. No less important, light polymer plain bearings also handle the severe stresses of the bike’s rear suspension.

Bearings for thermal and kinetic energy recovery systems

In automotive and industrial applications, super precision bearings are playing a key role in both thermal and kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS), helping OEMs develop greener, more energy efficient systems.

More Mechanical Components Features Features

Building a stronger UK automotive supply chain(11/02/2013)

With a resurgent UK automotive sector, now is the time to invest and innovate, says Schaeffler UK’s head of automotive, Richard Hall. The UK automotive sector is hugely important to the UK economy, employing more than 700,000 people and investing over £1.5bn in R&D every year. The strength and capability of the automotive supply chain is a critical factor in driving growth and attracting inward investment.
Purchasing bearings: it can be a risky business(18/12/2012)

Despite some strong and successful moves to stop them, counterfeit bearings are still posing problems in the engineering industries. SKF's Phil Burge looks at how the market-leading bearing manufacturers with reputations to maintain are fighting to combat the trade in fake bearings and why it is so important for customers to remain vigilant.
What's new: bearings and linear systems(18/12/2012)

Whether you want a fully integrated linear system, or just the linear guides, this selection of new product introductions chosen by editor Les Hunt may be able to help you with your search. There's news, too, from suppliers of rotary bearings.
Bearings perform the splits on ice(18/12/2012)

Split roller bearings (SRBs) have been specified for a refurbished icebreaker’s diesel electric propulsion system, recently refitted in the Ukraine. The SRBs – supplied by UK manufacturer, Revolvo – were chosen because they are quickly and easily changed in-situ, preventing unplanned layovers or dry docking, should a bearing need replacing when the vessel is in service.
Drive train innovations for a lighter gearshift(18/12/2012)

Lightweight vehicle designs are quickly becoming fundamental to future sustainable mobility, not only for conventional drive systems, but also for electric vehicle concepts. One key area in which developers are currently focusing their efforts is in the optimisation of vehicle drive systems in order to contribute to the overall weight saving. Tier Two automotive supplier, Schaeffler has achieved notable successes in the development of shift masses, transmission selector hubs and gearshift forks.