月: 2023年2月

What Is a Screw Pile?

A screw pile is a type of pile used for ground improvement.

Screw piles are driven into the ground while rotating a screw-shaped steel pipe to increase the strength of the ground by integrating the pile with the ground.

Compared to conventional pile driving methods, this method has the advantages of less noise and vibration, and a shorter construction period. It is costly and time-consuming to pour concrete and install a foundation on a large site. However, a strong foundation can be easily installed by driving screw piles while rotating them with heavy machinery.

Compared to the foundation at the time of concrete placement, the accuracy of the screw piles may deviate due to the driving method. For this reason, the mounting holes for the upper flange of screw piles are often long holes. The long holes also allow for fine adjustment during installation of the trestle, which is a feature that makes it easy to work with.

Uses of Screw Piles

Screw piles are mainly used in civil engineering and construction projects. Screw piles can be easily installed in narrow spaces or on slopes where conventional pile driving methods are difficult. Because of this feature, these piles are widely used in outdoor solar panel installation work.

In order to install solar panels in the field, a frame must be installed. If the frame is simply placed on the ground, it will be blown away when a typhoon or gust of wind blows. A sturdy foundation is essential for a strong trestle, and screw piles can be used to lay the foundation inexpensively and in a short period of time.

Screw piles are also used in docks and offshore platforms. Screw piles can be driven into fragile ground such as rivers and seabeds, making them useful for laying foundations for docks and offshore platforms. Screw piles are especially suitable for offshore platforms because of the high durability required for such platforms.

Other applications include small buildings and ground improvement. Screw piles increase the strength of the ground, prevent ground subsidence, and improve the earthquake resistance of buildings.

Principle of Screw Piles

The principle of screw piles is to integrate the pile with the ground by driving a screw-shaped steel pipe attached to the end of the pile into the ground while rotating it.

Screw piles tighten the ground with the rotating screw piles. This increases the density of the ground and the strength of the soil. The screw pile is resisted by the frictional force of the ground, and as the driving progresses, the ground and the pile become one.

Generally, a hydraulic motor is used for driving. Piles of appropriate length and diameter can be selected to suit the ground conditions, allowing for a highly flexible installation. In most cases, they are hot-dip galvanized, so they will not rust or corrode even after prolonged outdoor use.

Types of Screw Piles

There are various types of screw piles. The following are examples of screw pile types

1. Ground Screw Pile

This is a commonly used type of screw pile. It is shaped like a large wood screw and has a spiral projection on about half of its overall length. This type is the least expensive.

It is used especially for lightweight structures such as gardens, playground equipment, and signs. These are relatively small piles, and the diameter of the steel pipe is generally a few dozen centimeters. On the other hand, other screw piles used for building foundations can be as large as one meter or more in diameter.

2. Large Screw Pile

Large screw piles have larger spiral wings than ordinary screw piles. The wider wings provide stronger anchorage to the ground and increase the vertical strength of the pile. They are best suited for use in agricultural land where the ground is relatively weak and soft.

3. Spiral Pile

Spiral piles are more like screws themselves than screw shapes. Leaving the top flange and a single pipe section of several tens of centimeters, all the rest of the pile is formed in the shape of a screw. This shape gives a very high stabilizing effect in any kind of ground.

What Is a Zirconia Bead?

Zirconia beads are a type of beads used in a device called a bead mill, in which a slurry of material to be ground is stirred together with beads to break the material in the slurry into smaller pieces.

Zirconia beads are characterized by the use of zirconia ceramics as a material.

Uses of Zirconia Beads

Zirconia beads are used in a device called a bead mill. The main components of a bead mill are a feeding section, a stirring section with a stirring device, and a separation section. Zirconia beads and other beads are enclosed in the stirring section. The process is as follows.

1. A slurry of finely crushed material to be ground is fed into the liquid.
2. The slurry is fed into the stirring section where the beads are enclosed.
3. The beads are agitated by rotating at high speed with the slurry.

In process 3, the collision of the beads with the particles or powders of the material to be ground occurs. This collision allows for an even finer grinding of the milled material, surface polishing, or uniform dispersion in the slurry.

Zirconia beads are made of zirconia, which has inherent wear resistance, high strength, and good toughness. They are therefore used for the dispersion and pulverization of electronic materials such as derivatives and piezoelectric materials, dispersion and pulverization of pigments, inks, and paints, and dispersion and pulverization of nanotechnology materials. They are also suitable for the dispersion and pulverization of pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs due to their high strength and safety, as they do not break in the slurry.

Processing Principle Using Zirconia Beads

When zirconia beads are rotated and agitated at high speed in the agitator of a bead mill, centrifugal force is generated, which in turn exerts a force on the zirconia beads and generates pulverization energy. The magnitude of this pulverization energy determines the degree of processing in a single collision, and the number of collisions allows the characteristics of the processing to be controlled.

Large diameter zirconia beads are used when the particles to be ground are large, and smaller diameter zirconia beads are used as the particle size of the material decreases. This is because the larger the particles to be ground, the greater the degree of processing required by a single impact of the zirconia beads.

As the particles become finer, smaller diameter zirconia beads are used to increase the frequency of contact between the zirconia beads and the particles to be ground, thereby increasing the milling effect. Care should be taken when using beads with too small a diameter, as the mass is too light and the milling energy is minimal. In this case, selecting beads made of a material with a higher density and increasing the mass without changing the size will improve the milling energy.

Other Information on Zirconia Beads

1. Material of Zirconia Beads

Zirconia, which makes up zirconia beads, refers to zirconium oxide with the chemical formula ZrO2 and is classified as a ceramic as zirconia ceramics. Zirconia is a material that forms the most stable monoclinic crystal structure at room temperature, which changes sequentially to tetragonal and cubic as the temperature increases.

By reacting zirconia with stabilizers such as yttrium oxide (Y2O3), calcium oxide (CaO), cerium oxide (CeO2), and magnesium oxide (MgO), the cubic crystal structure becomes stable at room temperature. Zirconia with stable cubic crystals at room temperature is called stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia.

2. Zirconia Beads Production Method

Zirconia beads are manufactured by processing zirconia into microscopic spheres. Among zirconia beads, stabilized zirconia has high strength and high toughness and can be processed into minute sizes.

The rolling and pressing methods for processing into beads include the rolling method and the pressing method, but these methods have the disadvantage that it is difficult to manufacture microscopic beads. For this reason, the use of cross-linked liquids such as water and the liquid granulation method that combines water and a liquid such as alcohol have been proposed as methods for manufacturing even finer beads.

What Is a Sheet Pallet?

A sheet pallet is a thin sheet pallet made of special kraft paper or synthetic resin.

While conventional pallets are about 6 inches thick, a sheet pallet is generally 1 to 5 mm thick and can be stacked in tiers. They are used for transporting and storing corrugated boxes and other items in food, industrial products, and other fields.

Specialized lifts (lifts with push-pull attachments) are used for loading and unloading sheet pallets.

Uses of Sheet Pallets

Sheet pallets are used in a wide range of fields and cargo types. Specific applications are as follows:

• Flexible containers for storing chemical products
• Resin bags
• Carton boxes for storing frozen foods, general foods, etc.
• Paper bags for storing rice, etc.
• Brackets for storing fruits and vegetables
• Corrugated boxes for industrial products such as home appliances

Because they are thinner than conventional pallets, there is less waste due to pallet thickness in relation to stacking height. In addition, because they are lightweight, sheet pallets can be carried by hand, improving work efficiency.

Principle of Sheet Pallets

Sheet pallets require a special lift, not a forklift. This lift is equipped with a plate loading platform called a platen, generally 15 to 18 inches wide, and a gripper that grabs the tabs on the edge of the sheet pallets. The sheet pallets are loaded using a push-pull attachment consisting of a faceplate that moves back and forth hydraulically.

Being a single thin sheet, it is extremely lightweight. Reduced transportation load reduces CO2 emissions and contributes to environmental preservation. Other features include resistance to moisture and chemicals, with most resin sheets being made of PP. Since fumigation is not required, no odor attaches to the cargo. In addition, PP pallets are hygienic as they do not harbor bacteria.

Other Information on Sheet Pallets

1. Attachments for Sheet Pallets

To transport sheet pallets, an attachment called a push-pull is attached to the forklift. The push-pull attachment enables the operator to “grab,” “pull,” “release,” and “push” the sheet pallets.

First, the gripper grabs the tabs on the edge of the sheet pallets and pulls the entire sheet pallets and their cargo onto the platen. At that point, the forklift is moved forward to minimize the movement of the cargo. The platen is a large steel plate attached to the push-pull.

When unloading the entire sheet pallets of cargo, tilt the attachment forward so that the end of the plate lightly touches the floor. The load can be placed at the target point by pushing the load out with the faceplate and moving the forklift backward.

2. Disadvantages of Sheet Pallets

The disadvantage of sheet pallets is they are vulnerable to water damage if the material is paper. Another disadvantage is that a lift equipped with a push-pull must be used to load and unload sheet pallets, and regular pallets cannot be used at the same time.

In addition, handling sheet pallets loaded with cargo requires a knack for handling them. Some companies are now offering assistance in acquiring the skills necessary to handle sheet pallets.

What Is a Thin Washer?

A thin washer is a type of screw. Like a pan head screw, the head of the screw has a flange, and when it is driven into a base material such as steel plate or wood, it can hold the base material securely and firmly without a washer.
　　　
Compared to truss screws and pan head screws, the screw head is flatter, which is a major feature of this type of screw.
　　　
They are used in building siding work, for example, when installing insulation panels.

Uses of Thin Washers

Thin washers are mainly used to fasten thin plate materials to base materials, such as machine parts covers and building exterior walls.
　　　　　
Many thin washers have a drilled tip on the threaded part or a tapping screw with coarse threads and can be driven into the base material using an electric screwdriver, even if the base material does not have a female thread or a tap.
　　　　　
In the case of tapping screws, a pre-drilled hole is made using an electric drill, etc. before driving the screw into the base metal, but drilling screws can be driven directly into the base metal without pre-drilling.

Principle of Thin Washers

Thin washers have a flatter screw head than truss screws or pan washer screws. They are used when the screw head needs to be as flat as possible, such as when installing insulated sandwich panels on metal siding or when driving aluminum sashes into C-shaped steel.
　　　
In terms of applications where the head of the screw is to be finished flat, pan-head screws have the same characteristics. However, in the case of thin washer screws, the screw head has a flange that holds the base metal more strongly than a pan head screw, providing a stronger holding force.
　　　
This is a property common to screws that are driven directly into the base metal, such as drilling screws and tapping screws, but they are not suitable for fixing steel plates and other materials that have a certain degree of weight, so thin washer screws are best used only for fixing thin plate-like objects.
　　　
When used outdoors, gaps may occur between the screws and base metal, causing leaks, so caulking may be applied as a preventive measure.

What Is a Shore Hardness Tester?

A Shore hardness tester is a measuring instrument for measuring hardness, called “Shore hardness”.

Shore hardness mainly represents the hardness of metallic materials. Hardness is the property of a material to resist external forces. In everyday life, it is understood in the sense that steel is hard and rubber is soft. By using a shore hardness tester, the hardness of a material is quantified and expressed as “HS + number). The higher this number is, the harder the material is.

Compared to other hardness measurement methods, the measurement time is short and the measuring instrument is portable and easy to use. Therefore, it is used at various manufacturing sites.

Uses of Shore Hardness Testers

Shore hardness testers are used in a variety of industries. For example, they are used to select materials of appropriate hardness when making parts for automobiles and aircraft. They are also useful in checking the quality of rubber products such as shoes and tires.

In addition, it is indispensable when developing new materials in the field of research and development. To evaluate the performance of new materials, hardness is measured and compared with other materials. Shore hardness testers are also useful in quality control of products and in investigating causes of failure.

However, in Europe, the Shore hardness tester is not used much anymore. Instead, Vickers hardness testers, which can measure hardness more accurately, tend to be preferred. On the other hand, the Japanese JIS standard uses a method of converting Shore hardness to Vickers hardness. This is one of the reasons why Shore hardness testers are widely accepted in manufacturing sites in Japan.

Principle of Shore Hardness Testers

The Shore hardness tester determines Shore hardness by striking a sample with a hammer attached to a diamond hemisphere from a certain height and measuring the height at which the indenter bounces up after impact. The higher the bounce height, the higher the Shore hardness.

Since the Shore hardness tester mainly measures the amount of kinetic energy of the indenter, if the sample is too small, some of the kinetic energy is consumed by the vibration energy and accurate measurement may not be possible. The effect of the mass of the sample is called the “mass effect”. The Shore hardness tester is a measurement method with a large mass effect.

Another disadvantage of the Shore hardness tester is that there are many factors that can cause measurement errors, such as the need to drop the indenter perpendicularly to the sample and the surface in contact with the indenter must be horizontal. However, if you understand these features and are able to make as accurate a measurement as possible, the shore hardness tester, which can easily measure hardness, can be a useful tool in a variety of fields.

Types of Shore Hardness Testers

There are different types of shore hardness testers, such as the C-type and D-type. Each of these types has different characteristics, and the appropriate measuring instrument should be selected according to the situation in which it will be used.

1. Type C

Type C shore hardness testers use a glass tube with an inner diameter of approximately 6 mm and a scale. The hammer is a diamond indenter with a spherical tip and is approximately 20 mm long. The hammer falls down the glass tube and the height at which it bounces up can be read visually.

Compared to the D-type, the C-type shore hardness tester has a smaller hammer mass, and its hardness fluctuates less with the mass of the sample. However, reading must be done visually and requires experienced skill.

2. Type D

In the D-type shore hardness tester, a diamond indenter is attached to a cylindrical hammer made of steel. The hammer strikes the sample and bounces up, pushing the dial gauge spindle up, and the dial gauge pointer indicates the height of the hammer bounce.

Other Information on Shore Hardness Testers

Types of Hardness

1. Indentation Hardness
Hardness is measured by measuring the depth and size of a depression made when an indenter is pressed into a sample under a microscope. Rockwell hardness and Vickers hardness are typical examples.

2. Rebound Hardness
This is a quantitative definition of hardness based on the observation of the indentation formed in a sample when an indenter impacts the sample and the movement of the indenter after the rebound. Shore hardness corresponds to this rebound hardness.

What Is a Shim Plate?

A shim plate is a component that is inserted between components and equipment or locations to adjust the position, level, and spacing between them.

Types of Shim Plates

Shim plates are a type of “shim,” and include plate-type “shim plates,” ring-type shims “shim rings,” and thin tape-like metal sheets.

1. Shim Plate

There are various types of shim plates, depending on the shape of the plate, mounting method, material, and specific use. Typical shim plates are rectangular plates with holes drilled in the base shim plates and are classified by plate size, thickness, number of holes, and material. Some shim plates have slots (grooves) instead of holes.

There is a plate shape alignment shim that facilitates multiple installations and removals, and it has a brim and holes for hooking tools, etc. The laminate type (laminated peel-off type) consists of multiple thin plates of the same thickness that have been laminated together in advance with adhesive, and each plate is peeled off for use, allowing the thickness to be adjusted freely and easily to match the gap and height of the actual product.

Dimensions are available with commonly used external shapes and hole diameters in advance, or dimensions can be ordered. Thicknesses, which are particularly important for shim plates and applications, vary from t0.005 to t6.0 mm and so on. The material is generally austenitic stainless steel SUS304, and other materials include iron-based SPCC, SPHC, brass C2680P, C2801P, aluminum sheet material, PET resin, etc.

2. Shim Ring

Ring-type shim rings are classified by their perforated ring shape, C-shaped slit shape, and material. Shim rings have specific applications, such as for bearing inner and outer rings and flanges.

As with shim plates, there are two types of shim ring dimensions: those with commonly used outer diameters and bore diameters, and those that can be ordered in advance. Plate thicknesses for bearings are also dimensioned according to the bearing type. The material is generally austenitic stainless steel SUS304.

3. Tape Type

Thin metallic tape is rolled like general adhesive tape. It is characterized by the fact that it can be used at any length. It is sometimes called “shim tape.” Dimensions are mainly based on tape width and thickness. Materials include SUS304 and brass.

Uses of Shim Plates

Shim plates are used to adjust the height and position between machine parts.

1. Shim Plate

An example of shim plates for base use is to adjust the level (height direction) of a fan (blower) motor. The motor is mounted on a base with legs, and the motor output shaft is connected to the fan via a coupling. The base is designed and manufactured so that the motor and fan are properly aligned, but in reality, there may be some misalignment due to machining and manufacturing accuracy.

In this case, the left and right directions of the motor can be adjusted by the motor position, but if there is a gap in the vertical direction, it cannot be adjusted as it is. In this case, shim plates are inserted into the gap to adjust the height of the motor. By using multiple shim plates of different thicknesses in combination, fine adjustment becomes possible.

2. Shim Ring for Bearing

A type of shim ring, shim rings for bearings are, as the name suggests, shim rings specialized for bearings, and are available for bearing outer rings and inner rings. They are used to adjust the position of bearings. By adjusting the thickness and number of shim ring inner ring plates, the axial position of the bevel gear is changed. This allows precise adjustment of the engagement with the bevel gear on the mating side.

3. Tape Type

Tape-type shim rings are also available in the form of a sheet wound on a roll, which can be pulled out and cut to any length. It is versatile because of its flexibility in size, shape, and thickness.

4. Laminate Type (Peel-And-Strip Type)

As described in the shim plates section, the laminate type (peel-and-stack type) is stacked into a single sheet, which can be peeled off one at a time for use, allowing flexibility in the required plate thickness. The laminated shim plates allow for shim adjustments to be made in actual products without the need to consider the thickness and number of shim plates precisely at the time of design. Also, it eliminates the need to prepare multiple shim plates, thus reducing costs. Laminated shim plates are widely used in the aerospace industry.

Other Information on Shim Plates

Shim Plates Standards

There are no applicable standards for shim plates themselves. These standards can be used as a reference when selecting shim plates.

• SAE AMS-DTL-22499 Shim Stock, Laminated (American Aerospace Standard)
• DIN LN29557 Aerospace; Laminated shim of corrosion resisting steel; dimension, masses (German Aerospace Standard)

What Is a Servo Cylinder?

Servo cylinders are electric actuators that convert the rotational motion of a motor into linear motion using a ball screw. They allow for precise control over time, position, and load, offering advantages such as lower defect rates, improved yields, and simplified inspection processes over hydraulic cylinders. Choosing a compatible servo controller is crucial for various applications.

Hybrid production equipment combining servo cylinders with servo motors has been introduced to enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Uses of Servo Cylinders

Servo cylinders are primarily used in industrial machinery, such as press-fit mechanisms for gears and pulleys. They enable high-precision positioning with rapid response motors, often requiring a servo controller for operation, which may increase design and implementation time.

Principle of Servo Cylinders

Through a servo controller, servo cylinders can be precisely controlled by setting parameters such as time, position, and load. There are two main control methods: load control and position control. An example of load control involves moving at a specific speed until a certain load is reached, holding at a load for a set time, and then returning to the original position at a defined speed.

Structure of Servo Cylinders

The servo cylinder consists of a ball screw, linear guide, and servo motor, with variations in size but a consistent basic structure. The ball screw transforms the motor’s rotational motion into linear motion with high accuracy. The linear guide supports this motion, ensuring smooth operation. Servo motors, equipped with encoders, allow for precise rotation and linear distance control.

1. Ball Screw

Ball screws offer high transmission and positioning accuracy, connecting to the servo motor via timing pulleys and belts, or directly through a coupling.

2. Linear Guide

Linear guides support and guide the ball screw’s motion, compensating for its intolerance to non-linear forces.

3. Servo Motors

Servo motors, integrated with encoders, facilitate accurate control of rotation and, consequently, the linear motion produced by the ball screw.

Types of Servo Cylinder

Servo cylinders come in two main types: rod and slider.

1. Rod Type

Rod types, suitable for push movements, require more space and may need a linear guide or be of a guided type to handle radial loads efficiently.

2. Slider Type

Slider types operate along a linear guide’s rail, allowing direct mounting of the moving object. Selection involves ensuring the slider’s moment load and payload capacities are not exceeded by the attached object’s weight and operating conditions.

Consideration of the payload’s variation between vertical and horizontal orientations is also crucial.

What Is a Servo Controller?

A servo controller is a control device that achieves high-speed, high-precision drive control of various industrial machines.

There are several servo controllers for different applications, such as sequencer-based and industrial PC-based controllers. A servo controller must be selected for each control application.

In recent years, there have been cases where a large-scale servo control system has been built by integrating the servo controller and a cloud-based system using IoT technology.

Uses of Servo Controllers

Servo controllers are mainly used for high-speed, high-precision drive control of various industrial machines in the industrial field. Servo controllers can be broadly classified into two types: sequencer-based and industrial PC-based.

Sequencer-based servo controllers are used for integrated control of servo motors mounted on a single piece of equipment or multiple pieces of equipment, while industrial PC-based controllers are used for large-scale systems that centrally control an entire production line.

Examples of servo controller applications include the following:

• Magnet wire winding equipment in electric motor production lines.
• Multi-axis control in a PET bottle beverage transport line.

Principle of Servo Controllers

A servo motor does not operate by itself; it requires a servo amplifier, which is the driver that operates the servo motor, and a servo controller, which acts as a control tower.

The servo controller transmits command signals to the servo amplifier, which in turn supplies power to the servo motor.

1. Command Signal of Servo Controller

The role of the servo controller is to output target values of position, speed, and rotation force to move the servo motor as command signals.

2. Power Supply to the Servo Amplifier

The servo amplifier supplies power to the servo motor based on the command signals received from the servo controller. It is not always the case that the servo motor is moving according to the target value. Therefore, the servo amplifier receives feedback signals from the servo motors as described below.

3. Feedback From Servo Motor

The servo motor has an encoder inside. The encoder detects the actual rotation position and speed of the servo motor and converts them into electrical signals. This electrical signal is sent to the servo amplifier as a feedback signal.

The servo amplifier compares the feedback signal with the target value received from the servo controller and controls the power supply to the servo motor to minimize the error.

Other Information on Servo Controller

Servo Motor Control

Servo motors, including servo controllers, are controlled by feedback control. There are two types of control: open-loop control and closed-loop control.

1. Open-Loop Control
This control uses a mathematical model on the current state and control system to perform calculations on inputs. It is used for simple processes. Sequence control is a typical example, in which each step of the control proceeds sequentially according to a predetermined order.

The advantage of an open-loop system is that the system is less susceptible to measurement noise and instability. The disadvantage is that the control is design-specific.

2. Closed-Loop Control
This technique provides feedback of the system’s output to the input and is more accurate than open-loop control. Closed-loop systems have superior robustness, but the disadvantage is that they can cause uncontrolled behavior in the system.

Another disadvantage is that they are vulnerable to measurement noise. Motor servomotors use closed-loop control, which enables precise rotation speeds and rotational speeds to be achieved.

What Is a Server Blade?

A server blade is a specialized server configuration designed to make efficient use of space and power.

Unlike regular tower or rackmount servers, server blades contain each server element in a thin module called a “blade,” and these blades are housed in a single enclosure (chassis).

This design not only allows server blades to consolidate large amounts of computing power into a limited physical space, but also greatly improves power and cooling efficiency. These characteristics make them particularly suitable for use in data centers and large IT environments.

Uses for Server Blades

Due to their compactness and efficiency, server blades are used in a variety of applications.

1. Data Centers

Data centers are the most common use for server blades. The efficiency and scalability of server blades are critical in data centers, which handle large amounts of data and require a high level of computing power.

Server blades maximize space utilization and reduce data center operating costs by consolidating many servers into a single enclosure.

2. Cloud Computing

Cloud providers are also taking advantage of the efficiency of server blades. To provide flexible resources to their customers, they need to manage large amounts of server resources efficiently. The use of server blades makes efficient use of physical space and reduces power and cooling costs.

3. High Performance Computing (HPC)

HPC is used in areas that require enormous amounts of computing power, such as scientific simulations and big data analysis. Server blades can solve the resource management and scalability challenges of HPC applications because they can consolidate many processors and memory into a single enclosure.

These examples illustrate how server blades are utilized in a wide variety of scenarios. However, server blades are useful not only in these scenarios, but in any situation where efficiency and scalability of the IT infrastructure are required.

Principles of Server Blades

The following describes the main functions of server blades and their principles:

1. Blades and Enclosures

The name server blade comes from its special design. Server blades have the same functionality as a typical server, but are characterized by their thin, long “blade” shape. Each blade functions as an independent server and contains key components such as processors, memory, storage, and network interfaces.

These blades are housed in one common enclosure (or chassis). The enclosure provides resources (power supplies, cooling fans, network switches, etc.) that are shared among the blades. Enclosures allow server blades to use space and power more efficiently than other server configurations.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

The server blade design provides both scalability and flexibility. The system can be easily expanded by adding new blades.

Also, since each blade operates independently, different operating systems and applications can run on each blade. This provides the ability to quickly upgrade or modify the system as system requirements change or new technologies become available.

3. Power and Cooling Efficiency

Server blades also offer power and cooling efficiencies: multiple blades can be housed in a single enclosure to share power and cooling resources and improve overall efficiency. This is an especially important part of large IT environments such as data centers.

How to Select Server Blades

When choosing a server blade, you need to consider a number of factors, including its performance, scalability, cost, and support structure.

1. Performance

The performance of a server blade is determined by its processor speed, memory capacity, storage type and capacity, and network connection speed. It is important that these specifications match the requirements of the applications the server will be handling.

2. Scalability

The scalability of a server blade indicates its ability to accommodate future growth and change. If there is room in the enclosure, the system can be easily expanded by adding new blades. The blades themselves should also be upgradeable.

3. Cost

It is important to consider the total cost of the server blade, including the initial investment, operating costs (power and cooling), and maintenance costs. In addition to cost, the performance and efficiency of the investment should also be evaluated.

4. Support and Warranty

The support and warranty offered by the manufacturer of the server blade are also important selection criteria. Reliable technical support and a long-term warranty are necessary to respond quickly to server problems and failures.

5. Compatibility

It is also important that the server blade be compatible with the existing IT infrastructure. In particular, compatibility with network connections, management software, and storage systems should be checked.

What Is a Sample Tube?

Sample tubes, commonly used in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology experiments and research, serve multiple purposes, including culturing, storing samples and reagents, and placement in centrifuges and analytical instruments.

While various types of sample tubes are available based on their intended use, they are generally referred to as “sample tubes” when used for sample handling.

Uses of Sample Tubes

In the fields of research and development, including chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and clinical testing, sample tubes are indispensable. They are utilized for tissue and cell culture, storing reagents and samples, and for analyses involving centrifugation and other analytical instruments.

Key clinical applications include uses in immunoserology and bacteriology.

Principle of Sample Tubes

Sample tubes are designed as cylindrical or conical vessels with a closed-end, tailored for secure containment and manipulation of experimental samples, reagents, or specimens. Microtubes and other such tubes often feature a lid attached to the body, while NMR tubes come with a separate lid that seals with a light press.

Types of Sample Tubes

Available in various volumes and for different applications, sample tubes may be cylindrical or conical with a closed-end, and come in round-bottomed, flat-bottomed, or pointed configurations.

Materials range from synthetic resins like polypropylene and polystyrene to tempered hard glass and borosilicate glass. Polypropylene is preferred for its stability against temperature and chemicals, whereas polystyrene offers high transparency for sample observation. Care must be taken to select tubes resistant to potential solvent damage.

1. Microtubes

Microtubes, designed for microliter to milliliter sample volumes, are also known as microcentrifuge tubes. Available in 2mL, 1.5mL, 0.5mL, and 0.2mL capacities, they are typically used on a disposable basis in molecular biology to enhance efficiency and prevent contamination.

Their lids, which are connected to the body, can be securely locked in place. Microtubes are essential for centrifuging, PCR, and the storage and dispensing of samples and reagents. They are often referred to as “Eppendorf” tubes, named after the company that popularized them.

2. Conical Tubes and Spitz Tubes

Conical and Spitz tubes offer larger capacities than microtubes, typically 15mL or 50mL for conical tubes and about 10mL for Spitz tubes. Made from synthetic resin or glass, these tubes are frequently used for centrifugation, with Spitz tubes being particularly prevalent in clinical settings.

3. PCR Tubes

PCR tubes are specialized for PCR, featuring thinner walls for efficient heat transfer. They come with domed caps compatible with thermal cyclers, and some are available with volume markings.

4. Other Types

NMR tubes, designed for NMR sample handling, and cryo tubes, used for cryopreservation, are also categorized as sample tubes.

Other Information on Sample Tubes

Preventing Contamination

Sample tubes are available in both sterilized and unsterilized forms. Sterilized tubes are typically pyrogen-free and endotoxin-free, critical for cell culture applications due to their potential impact on cell activity. For DNA or RNA handling, DNase-free and RNase-free tubes are recommended to prevent contamination.