月: 2023年1月

What Is an Abrasion Tester?

Abrasion testers are specialized machines used to evaluate the wear resistance of materials under various stresses such as tensile, compressive, and torsional. They’re crucial for testing materials like metals, plastics, and fabrics, simulating real-world conditions to measure properties like strength and hardness.

Uses of Abrasion Testers

These testers are instrumental in the development and quality assurance of products across industries, including industrial and construction equipment, medical devices, and automotive components. They help identify wear-related product failures and facilitate material selection, coating, and lubrication choices.

Principles of Abrasion Testers

Abrasion testers operate by applying a load to two contact surfaces under controlled conditions, including lubrication and temperature, to replicate wear processes. They measure wear amount and friction coefficients, providing insights into the wear mechanisms and material durability.

Features of Abrasion Testers

Designed to mimic the frictional wear surfaces experience, abrasion testers vary significantly to cater to the specific conditions under which materials are used. Despite the diversity in wear testing requirements, standardized methods are relatively few, reflecting the complexity of accurately reproducing wear phenomena.

Other Information on Abrasion Testers

Types of Friction Tests

Abrasion testers conduct various tests like Pin-On-Disk, Ball-On-Disk, Ring-On-Disk, Pin-On-Plate, and Ball-On-Plate, each assessing different wear characteristics such as friction coefficients and wear resistance under changing material conditions.

What Is a Universal Grinder?

A universal grinder is a machine tool belonging to the cylindrical grinder family that allows a single machine to perform a wide range of rotary grinding operations with a high degree of versatility and flexibility. Therefore, as a unique feature of a universal grinder, the grinding wheel head and the headstock of the workpiece can be rotated freely during external grinding, and the angle can be changed at will, providing a wide working range.

In addition to external grinding, the machine can also be used for internal grinding, taper grinding, and end-face grinding.

Uses of Universal Grinders

Universal grinders are usually used to grind the external and internal surfaces of workpieces using a rotating grinding wheel. However, since universal grinders are characterized by their versatility among cylindrical grinders, they can also be used for workpieces that are tapered in shape, even though they are usually cylindrical in shape.

Compared to other centerless grinders, cylindrical grinders are often used when high accuracy is required, especially for the roundness of workpieces and processing dimensions for surface finishing.

Principle of Universal Grinders

Universal grinders are a type of cylindrical grinder, which explains why cylindrical grinders are capable of high-precision cutting.

Unlike centerless grinders, cylindrical grinders fix both ends of the workpiece with a spindle head or centerstock. Since rotary grinding is performed while the workpiece is firmly fixed (chucked), the grinding accuracy is higher than that of the centerless grinder, which has no center and is easily affected by the external shape and roundness of the workpiece.

Another reason for the high precision of grinding is the use of a grinding wheel.

The abrasive grain corresponds to the blade being sharpened. The worn abrasive grains fall off the rotating wheel, making room for new grains on the next surface. Therefore, the grinding wheel does not need to be reground like an end mill (drill). Another feature is that there is no need for regrinding, and high machining accuracy can be maintained.

Diamond particles and CBN grains with high hardness are generally used as abrasive materials. However, it is important to use different abrasive materials for different applications, as they are suited to different workpieces to be ground.

In addition, some universal grinders feature a double-swivel wheel head for greater flexibility in the grinding position. As for the dedicated equipment for internal grinding, the upward flip-up type is common, but there is also a rear-mounted type of wheel head that rotates the wheel head 180 degrees.

In order to improve the versatility of the grinding method, the spindle head must be switchable between rotating and fixed, and the rotational speed must be adjustable.

What Is a Universal Tester?

Universal testers are versatile instruments designed to measure the physical properties of various materials by applying stresses like tension, compression, and bending. They are fundamental in assessing materials such as plastics, metals, and composites for their strength and hardness.

Uses of Universal Testers

These testers are indispensable in material development, quality control, and safety assurance across industries. They adapt to different testing requirements by changing grips and jigs, making them valuable for heavy industry, construction, and evaluating packaging materials.

Principle of Universal Testers

Operating on Pascal’s principle, universal testers exert force on a specimen to elicit a stress-strain response, revealing material properties. The system comprises a movable crosshead and interchangeable jigs for applying various stress types.

Types of Universal Testers

Diverse in application, universal testers include models for specific industry needs—from compact designs for soft materials to large machines for evaluating construction materials.

Other Information on Universal Testers

1. Tensile Test

This test measures the elongation and breaking point of a material under tension, helping to determine its yield and rupture points.

2. Bending Test

Conducted by applying a bending force, this test helps understand material behavior under bending stress, utilizing either three-point or four-point bending methods.

3. Compression Test

This test assesses a material’s resistance to compression, often until the point of fracture. Non-contact sensors like CCD cameras are used (instead of contact-type sensors such as strain gages) to avoid damage to measuring equipment.

What Is an Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV)?

An automatic guided vehicle (AGV) is a cart-type robot that transports goods automatically and unmanned to their destination at factories.

Conventionally, forklifts and other equipment had to be operated by a person, but AGVs can automatically go to the destination, pick up the cargo, and transport it to the designated location. In addition to greatly improving the efficiency of transportation within a factory, this system also greatly reduces labor requirements, making a significant contribution to factory automation.

Since unmanned vehicles do not have operators, they are intended to transport goods such as luggage and are not allowed to be used on roads. In recent years, however, with the advancement of AI and data analysis technologies, an increasing number of AGVs are able to determine their own routes and travel autonomously without the use of magnetic tapes.

Uses of Unmanned Guided Vehicles

AGVs are mainly used at factories and other logistics sites to transport goods efficiently. The first AGVs were introduced around 1990, when magnetic tape was laid down on factory production lines to allow them to travel along a fixed route.

However, this method requires the removal and re-installation of a guideway if the route to be traveled needs to be changed. Although it is possible to change the route, large-scale construction work is required each time.

In recent years, however, autonomous automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) have been gaining popularity because they can set their routes based on image recognition using lasers and cameras, and they do not require a guideway made of magnetic tape. Depending on the product, AI may be able to make independent judgments to ensure that the route is lean and efficient in transporting goods.

Principle of AGVs

The reason that AGVs can reach their destination without human control is that the sensors installed in AGVs can read magnetic tape or magnetic markers that have been pre-installed on the factory floor, allowing them to trace the location accurately and route of the vehicle.

In terms of the principles of AGVs, they are classified into three main types. The characteristics of each are as follows:

1. Route-Guided Automatic Guided Vehicles

This is the most common type of AGV and uses the previously mentioned magnetic tape, magnetic markers, and other guidance devices to guide the vehicle along a specified route. This is the most widespread type of automatic guided vehicle to date, and it offers excellent cost performance due to the low price of the vehicle itself and the low threshold for its introduction.

However, it has the disadvantage that the travel route cannot be easily changed because the magnetic tape of the guideway is embedded in the floor.

2. Autonomous Mobile Rover

Also called an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot), this system transports goods while moving autonomously. With the development of AI technology, this type of vehicle has been rapidly introduced in recent years.

It uses lasers and cameras to measure the distance to surfaces, such as walls and pillars, to determine its own position. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of cost and environmental conditions that do not hinder unmanned vehicles, so the current state-of-the art is that they are being introduced mainly by large companies. 

3. Tracking Type Unmanned Vehicles

This type of vehicle follows a person or vehicle ahead while maintaining a certain distance. As with the autonomous type, there is no need to install a guideway, but since the vehicle can only simply follow, the person or vehicle ahead must be controlled by a separate person.

Types of Unmanned Conveyance Vehicles

Various types of AGVs are available in a variety of cart shapes. Typical shapes are as follows:

1. Cart Type

The cart type is in the shape of a cart and carries cargo on its own.

2. Towing Type

The towing type does not directly load cargo on itself, but pulls cargo to the destination by towing a basket cart or pallet behind it. It can also pull multiple carts like a freight train.

3. Low-Floor Type

The low-floor type goes under the cargo, lifts the cargo up, and transports it to the destination. It can transport basket carts without wheels, pallets, and carts that are difficult to tow.

What Is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

An UPS is a device that supplies power to connected devices for a certain period of time in the event of a power failure due to a power failure.

It has a built-in battery and supplies power to servers, PC electronic equipment, network equipment, etc. in the event of power failure or power supply trouble, for example.

Uses for UPS

UPS are used in a variety of locations to provide appropriate countermeasures on the power demand side in the event of power outages due to power transmission route malfunctions or natural disasters, or power supply fluctuations due to power supply changes caused by large-scale construction projects, etc.

Power interruptions can be delayed for several minutes so that equipment can be processed for normal termination during this time to avoid malfunctions.

In offices, it is used for PCs, OA equipment, network equipment, etc., and in stores, for POS terminals, customer information terminals, crime prevention, disaster prevention equipment, etc. In call centers and data centers, they are used for PCs, servers, communication equipment, and air conditioning equipment. In the financial sector, they are used in ATM terminals and online terminals, and in broadcasting stations, they are used in broadcasting equipment and electrical equipment. UPS are used in a variety of fields to protect power supplies and ensure stable operation.

Depending on the model, UPS can be combined with power management software to automatically and safely shut down or start up equipment in the event of a power failure.

Principle of UPS

UPS generally consists of the following circuits and batteries:

• Converter
  A circuit for converting AC power to DC power.
• Inverter
  A circuit for converting DC power to AC power.
• Bypass
  A circuit for outputting AC power directly.
• Switch
  Circuit to switch between inverter output and bypass output.

UPS are available in a variety of power supply methods, the three most common of which are as follows:

1. Constant Inverter Power Supply System

This is a method in which power is supplied through an inverter regardless of the state of the commercial power supply. Power is supplied by the inverter in both normal and blackout conditions. It is possible to supply stable power at all times while eliminating noise. 

2. Line Interactive Method

During normal operation, power is supplied from commercial power and at the same time the battery is charged via an inverter. In the event of a power failure, the system switches to inverter power supply, but since power is still supplied to the inverter during normal operation, the switching time is shorter than that of the continuous commercial power supply system. 

3. Constant Commercial Power Supply System

This system supplies power directly from the commercial power source during normal operation and switches to inverter power supply from the battery during a power failure. Since the inverter is stopped during normal operation, this is a power-saving system, and since it uses fewer circuits, it has the advantage of being compact and inexpensive. On the other hand, it is not suitable for connection to equipment that requires stability because a momentary power loss of several milliseconds may occur when switching the power supply.

Other Information on UPS

1. Service Life of UPS

UPS has a relatively long and useful lifespan, and generally need to be replaced after about 5 to 6 years; since UPS are constantly energized, the electrolytic capacitors inside them are prone to failure, and it is recommended that long-term use beyond their useful life be avoided.

It is important not to use UPS past their standard service life, as they may catch fire due to deterioration over time. In addition, periodic inspections are necessary, as use in environments with high temperatures will shorten the service life of the unit.

2.The Battery of the UPS

UPS are equipped with batteries inside to supply power to connected devices in the event of a power outage.

There are two types of batteries for UPS: MSE and UPS-only.

The charge capacity of a battery decreases as it is used. It is recommended that they be replaced when their charge capacity drops below 80%. Many models are equipped with an LED lamp to indicate battery deterioration. Battery replacement can be done without specialized knowledge.

What Is a Metal Nameplate?

A nameplate is a metal nameplate on which the company name, product name, serial number, etc. are engraved, unevenly processed, and written on a metal plate. It is used to describe the name, specifications, control number, etc. of the device and attach it to the product.

Usage of Metal Nameplates

The purpose of metal nameplates is for the manufacturer of a product to attach product information to the product as a nameplate, and for the user of the product, it serves as an identification and recognition plate for the product in equipment management. Therefore, nameplates are used on all kinds of products, including all kinds of industrial, industrial, and household appliances.

For example, on industrial equipment and machinery, “etched nameplates,” which are metal plates engraved with the name of the manufacturing company, equipment name, model, serial number, date of manufacture, etc., and dyed black for the engraved characters, are affixed to the equipment and machinery. On buildings and other architectural structures, the name of the building and date of completion are engraved, and on bridges and other civil engineering and architectural structures, the name of the bridge, name of the river, date of completion, etc., are engraved on metal nameplates with the engraved characters in black. Metal nameplates with the vehicle type, VIN number, and other information are also attached to the engine compartment of automobiles.

In addition, acrylic metal nameplates with the names of devices and operations engraved on them are often affixed to control devices and other equipment.

Features of Metal Nameplates

There are several types of metal nameplates, depending on the material of the plate and the method used to display and manufacture the letters.

The materials used for nameplates include metal, resin, and paper. The material is selected in consideration of the environment in which the metal nameplates will be used and the method of production. For example, metal plates are used in most cases where the nameplate is outdoors, exposed to wind, rain, direct sunlight, and high or low temperatures. Acrylic sheets are used indoors or when the temperature is constant and not particularly high or low. terminal block of a control device.

The method of displaying and manufacturing the letters varies depending on the material of the board.
A typical example of a metal nameplates are “etched nameplate.” etched by chemical treatment, and paint is then applied to the recessed areas to express letters, lines, or designs.

Another example is a “cast metal nameplates,” in which a wooden or sand mold is used to create a mold with a lettering, into which molten metal is poured at high temperature and allowed to cool and harden. There are “acrylic nameplates,” which is made by carving letters and other characters into an acrylic plate (or various resins, etc.) and expressing them with uneven surfaces.

What Is a Sterilizer Accessory?

A sterilizer accessory is a device used to kill microorganisms attached to various products.

Sterilizers are widely used especially in the field where hygiene must be ensured. Typical examples include autoclaves that use steam at high temperatures and pressures, electric ovens that sterilize by drying at high temperatures, and gas sterilizers that use ethylene oxide gas. The optimal method is selected in consideration of the material to be sterilized, sterilization cost, and environmental impact.

Uses of Sterilizer Accessories

Sterilizer accessories are widely used in medical institutions and food manufacturing sites where hygiene must be ensured, and in research laboratories where accuracy must be maintained. The most suitable sterilization method is recommended by the manufacturer, depending on the level of sterilization required and the material to be sterilized.

Autoclave sterilization is often preferred in medical and research institutions due to its superiority in terms of running cost and time efficiency compared to other sterilization methods. Electric ovens, etc. are used next, mainly for glass and other materials that are resistant to high temperatures.

Ethylene oxide gas sterilizers and ultraviolet sterilizer accessories are used for plastic and rubber products with low heat resistance.

Principle of Sterilizer Accessories

Typical sterilizers include autoclaves and gas sterilizer accessories. Based on the principle of sterilizers, they can be used differently depending on the material to be sterilized.

1. Autoclave

In the autoclave, a typical sterilizer accessory, target materials are placed inside a pressure cooker-like sterilizer, which maintains an environment above atmospheric pressure for a certain period of time to produce steam at 2 atmospheres and a high temperature of about 130°C to sterilize the materials. Autoclaves are also called high-pressure steam sterilizers.

According to the European sterilization standard (EN13060), sterilizer accessories are classified into three levels of performance: Class B, Class S, and Class N. Which class of sterilization should be used depends on the target instrument.

• Class B
  The highest level of sterilization is achieved. It can be used for all types of instruments, including solid, porous, hollow, and non-packaged instruments.
• Class S
  Sterilizable with manufacturer-specific products that can be sterilized in Class N.
• Class N
  Sterilizable for non-packaged solid instruments. After sterilization, they should not be stored and must be used as soon as possible. This is the most common type used in the majority of medical institutions.

When disinfection is performed by boiling with steam at 100°C under atmospheric pressure, some microorganisms such as Clostridium bacteria can survive. However, steam at 120°C has high thermal energy and accelerates hydrolysis reactions, which can kill these microorganisms. Sterilization is possible at lower temperatures than in electric ovens. It can be used for materials that are sensitive to high temperatures. Another advantage is that purified water is used, and only heat and steam are emitted, so there is little impact on the human body.

2. Gas Sterilizer Accessories

Gas sterilizer accessories are used for materials that are particularly sensitive to high temperatures. Instead of high temperatures, gas sterilizers utilize the high nucleophilic effect of ethylene oxide. When microorganisms are exposed to ethylene oxide, they cause an alkylation reaction in proteins and nucleic acids, which denatures and kills them.

Since ethylene oxide affects not only microorganisms but also the human body, it is necessary to control the work environment and select the equipment to be used. It is advisable to consider the target equipment in terms of sterilization level (Class B, S, N), size of the equipment to be sterilized, sterilization method, installation cost, installation location, and running cost.

Other Information on Sterilizer Accessories

Difference From Sterilization, Sanitization, and Disinfection

Sterilization is defined as the reduction of the probability of survival of all microorganisms, whether living pathogenic (including spores) or non-pathogenic, to less than one in a million.

Similar terms to sterilization include sterilization, sanitization, and disinfection.

• Sterilization
  This term is widely used in the general sense of simply killing microorganisms. Furthermore, it is used when referring to objects such as equipment, while “sterilization” is also used for the microorganisms themselves.
• Sterilization
  Sterilization is the process of reducing the number of bacteria that can grow on an object by physical, chemical, or biological action.
• Disinfection
  Refers only to killing pathogenic bacteria that are harmful to humans or inactivating (killing) pathogens.

Each requires a different response, depending on the degree to which the bacteria are reduced.

What Is Woodworking Machinery?

Woodworking machinery is literally a machine for processing wood. They are used to process wood into the required shape and size for furniture, building materials, and other components.

Machines are classified according to processing methods, and the main types include cutting machines, polishing machines, drilling machines, and presses.

There are stationary machines used in factories, etc. and hand-held electric tools, but this explanation is limited to the former.

Uses of Woodworking Machinery

Typical applications for woodworking machinery include parts of wooden buildings, wooden furniture, tableware, and toys.

When cutting long materials to the required length, circular sawing machines, panel saws, and band saws are used for the cutting process.

After cutting, the surface is shaped using a grooving machine or planer. Then, holes are drilled with a hole-punching machine, the surface is finished with a planning machine, and engraving or marking is done with a router or laser-cutting machine.

Features of Woodworking Machinery

Woodworking machinery is optimized for processing wood.

Compared to metalworking, a higher feed rate is used due to the smaller processing load. This lighter load allows simultaneous machining of multiple surfaces, and some machines can easily achieve right angles and parallel surfaces.

As is common with all woodworking machinery, the large amount of cutting allowance generates a large number of wood chips, so a dust collector that can collect a large volume of wood chips is often used in combination with a dust collector.

Since the work material is wood, it is necessary to select a machine that takes the characteristics of the wood into consideration. For example, there is a big difference in the surface finish between shaving with a rotary blade like a router and with a single blade like a planer. The surface of a machine shaved with a rotary blade will have fine fluff, whereas the surface of a plane blade will be shiny and smooth.

Generally, if the surface to be processed is to be used as a product, finishing is done with a planning machine.

What Is a Medicine Cabinet?

A medicine cabinet serves as a secure storage solution for reagents used in research and manufacturing. These cabinets are essential in settings like university and corporate laboratories, where they ensure the safekeeping of chemicals in compliance with various laws and regulations.

Uses of Medicine Cabinets

Medicine cabinets are designed for the organized storage and management of chemicals, safeguarding them against unauthorized access and environmental release. They are particularly crucial for storing toxic substances, with locking mechanisms frequently mandated by law.

Principle of Medicine Cabinets

These cabinets are constructed to be lockable, durable, and corrosion-resistant, accommodating the corrosive nature of many reagents. Materials like stainless steel and concrete are commonly used for their robustness and resistance to corrosion.

Types of Medicine Cabinets

Varieties include glass-fronted cabinets for easy visibility, drawer-type racks for secure storage, and dedicated rooms designed as comprehensive medicine storage solutions, each selected based on specific storage needs and safety considerations.

Other Information on Medicine Cabinets

1. Storage Guidelines

Reagents are typically organized by their chemical nature (acids, alkalis, solvents) and stored separately to prevent cross-contamination. Special attention is given to vapors and potential reactions between stored chemicals.

2. Disaster Preparedness

Securing reagent bottles to prevent tipping during earthquakes and managing flammable materials are critical disaster countermeasures. Divider racks and secure mounting options help minimize the risk of spills and mixing of chemicals.

What Is a Hydraulic Jack?

A hydraulic jack is a device that leverages hydraulic pressure to lift heavy objects, enabling the lifting of objects weighing several tons with minimal human effort. It’s a critical tool in various industries, enhanced by IoT technology for remote monitoring via smartphones or PCs.

Uses of Hydraulic Jacks

Primarily used for vehicle maintenance, hydraulic jacks are preferred for lifting medium to large vehicles. Their applications extend to disaster rescue, construction, and assembling large machinery due to their versatility in performing lifting, pushing, and positioning tasks.

Principle of Hydraulic Jacks

Operating on Pascal’s principle, hydraulic jacks amplify a small force applied to a small piston into a larger force on a larger piston, enabling significant lifting capability through hydraulic pressure.

Types of Hydraulic Jacks

Common hydraulic jacks include:

1. Scissors Jacks

Hydraulically enhanced pantograph jacks that are compact and portable, ideal for in-vehicle use.

2. Floor Jacks

Characterized by their stability and suitability for lifting large vehicles, floor jacks require more workspace and are heavier, making them less portable than scissors jacks.

How to Select a Hydraulic Jack

Selection criteria for hydraulic jacks include:

1. Load Capacity

Choose a jack with a maximum load capacity greater than the weight of the object to be lifted to ensure safe operation.

2. Maximum and Minimum Height

Select a jack based on the vehicle’s clearance and the required lifting height, considering both the lowest and highest positions.

3. Material

For garage work, steel jacks offer sturdiness, while aluminum jacks provide lightweight portability for on-car mounting.