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Glossary

B

Ball bearings

Ball bearings are bearings where the friction resistance is reduced in the rolling body between a so-called inner ring and an outer ring. They serve as fixing for axes and shafts, in which they absorb radial and/or axial forces depending on the design, while enabling rotation of the shaft or the components supported on an axis. Since the rolling bodies in the inner and outer ring roll on hardened steel surfaces with optimised lubrication, the rolling friction of these bearings is relatively low.

 

C

Cardanic load suspension

Cardanic suspension is a bearing in two intersecting right angled rotary positions. The focus of the object to be borne is located below the intersection of the rotary axes. The object to be supported can be pressed away at any time without moving the suspension arm. This is primarily a specified safety function in medical technology. In the reverse conclusion, the load swings in below the cardan joint. This can result in an oblique position in the case of asymmetrical load distribution on the suspended object, which has to be compensated by a displacement of the centre of gravity.

 

Coil springs

These are wound from a cylinder, cone or canister shape as  so-called miniblock springs (MBF). One can differentiate between tension and compression springs depending on the external load. The main direction of load is in the direction of the spring axis, where the spring ends can be slightly twisted against each other. The wire cross section is under torsion upon loading. Its characteristic can be designed using sections with variable wire diameter, variable pitch, or variable spring diameter (helical spring in the shape of a truncated cone).

 

E

Extruded aluminium profile

Extrusion is a forming method for producing irregularly shaped prismatic profiles. A pressed piece (block) heated to forming temperature is pressed by a die with a stamp. The block is surrounded by a recipient here – a very thick-walled Tube.  The external shape of the extruded piece is determined by the die. Cavities can be created by differently shaped mandrels. Extruded profiles reach up to 60 m length. The advantages of extrusion are, in particular, the option of producing the profiles in complex shapes.

 

F

Flexion

Flexion results due to a bending moment. If flexion acts on a component, its material will be loaded in the load direction with respect to tension and pressure Tension or compressive strain results in the material.

 

G

Galvanisation

Zinc is deposited onto steel parts using electricity during galvanisation. The resultant zinc coatings are at least 5 micrometers. Galvanising is therefore primarily used in mildly corrosive environments.

 

Gas springs

A gas–operated compression spring (in short gas spring) is a pneumatic spring that uses highly pressurized gas to provide spring resistance. Advantages over coil springs are the almost independent force from the spring path, the low space requirement, and the option of being able to integrate a damping mechanism in the springs.

 

P

Parallel-guided load suspension

In contrast to the cardanic load suspension, the load cannot „swing out“ in the case of restraint-guided load suspension. The vertical interface of an integrated control always remains in the vertical direction above the stroke of a lift, for example.

 

Plain bearing

The two parts moving relatively to one another have direct contact in the sliding bearing. They slide onto one another against the resistance caused by sliding friction. The friction may limit the service life. One accompanying effect of the sliding bearing is the so-called “slip-stick effect”: A high adhesive friction must be overcome from stationary, this transforming into a lower slide friction. This phenomenon can result in a „jerking“ at very slow movement.

 

Protection classes

The protection class indicates the suitability of electrical operating equipment for various environments, as well as the protection of people from potential hazard during use. IP 54: Protected against dust in harmful amounts. Complete protection against contact. Protection against splash water from all sides.

 

T

Torsion

Torsion describes the twisting that results from the effect of a torsion moment. If torsion acts on a component, its material is moved around a virtual axis of rotation, resulting in slide tensions in the material.