月: 2023年3月

What Is an Idler?

An idler is a cylindrical component that supports and guides chains or belts in power transmission systems. It plays a crucial role in guiding the belt or chain, absorbing elongation, and maintaining tension. Idlers feature bearings for rotation and are designed with various outer shapes to match different types of belts and chains, such as sprocket gears for chains and V-groove pulleys for V-belts.

Materials for idlers include resin, steel, and stainless steel, with placement either on the tooth side (inner side) or the back side (outer side) of the belt.

Uses of Idlers

Idlers are vital for maintaining the continuous operation of chain or belt drives, adjusting the path of the drive, and keeping tension. They are instrumental in preventing slippage, increasing drive force, and ensuring smooth transitions between conveyors. Idlers find extensive use in industrial machinery, automotive drive units, and agricultural machinery.

Principle of Idlers

The principle of idlers revolves around tension maintenance, path adjustment, drive force enhancement, and layout compactness. Tension can be adjusted manually or maintained automatically through spring force or hydraulic pressure. Proper tensioning involves calculating the belt span, using manufacturer data for deflection, and adjusting for correct deflection at the span’s center.

Structure of Idlers

Idlers contain rolling bearings for free rotation and are shaped to match the belt type. Depending on their position relative to the belt or chain, they can either be a flat roller type or a sprocket type.

How to Choose an Idler

The selection of idlers is based on the tension adjustment needs of the power transmission system. Idlers with tension adjustment capabilities require external movement mechanisms, while those without are fixed in place. The choice of bearings, bearing seals, and grease is influenced by the operating environment, with double-sealed bearings being ideal for dusty conditions.

What Is an Adjuster Bolt?

An adjuster bolt features a bowl-shaped base and is utilized for leveling, tilting, or adjusting the height of various equipment. By placing the base on the ground and screwing the bolt into the equipment legs, adjustments can be made easily. Available in standard and specialized types, including slip-resistant rubber bases, anti-vibration materials, and models suitable for inclined surfaces or earthquake-prone areas.

Uses of Adjuster Bolts

These bolts are essential for the stable horizontal placement of office and measuring equipment, machinery, and appliances on uneven surfaces. They facilitate height adjustments for kitchen equipment and can secure furniture to the ceiling to prevent tipping during earthquakes. Selection of the correct bolt size for the equipment’s weight is crucial.

Principle of Adjuster Bolts

The height adjustment of an adjuster bolt is achieved through rotation, with the adjustment degree dependent on the screw’s pitch and rotation angle. The rotation torque is influenced by the thread’s friction coefficient and the vertical load.

Types of Adjuster Bolts

Adjuster bolts cater to heavy-duty, anchor fixing, and sloping applications:

• For Heavy Load: Designed for higher load capacity, used for machinery, control panels, and vending machines, and available in saucer and wide-base types for greater floor adhesion.
• For Anchor Fixing: Features a base hole for anchor fixing, securing equipment firmly against vibrations.
• For Sloping: Allows angle adjustment for installation on sloped surfaces, unlike standard bolts which require level ground.

How to Select Adjuster Bolts

Selection involves considering the number of bolts for convenience, bolt size, and material based on load requirements. Base selection should account for floor conditions, while material and surface treatment choices depend on the environment and expected lifespan. For precise adjustments, fine-threaded bolts are recommended. Consideration of seismic measures and replacement for wear is also advised.

Structure of Adjuster Bolts

Made from steel, alloy steel, or stainless steel, with various surface treatments available to prevent rust. Bases come in anti-vibration, floor protection, and non-slip variants. Adjuster bolts are standardized for size, material, and treatment, though many market options exist.

What Is an Ozone Sterilizer?

An ozone sterilizer is a device for efficiently sterilizing spaces and materials using the powerful oxidizing action of ozone (O3).

Unlike ordinary disinfectants, ozone disinfection does not produce resistant bacteria. It is also relatively safe because ozone gas is converted to safe oxygen gas (O2) after an oxidation reaction. Another feature of ozone sterilization is that it can be performed at room temperature without heating, making it possible to sterilize non-heat-resistant materials.

Studies have shown that ozone sterilization is effective against a variety of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Uses of Ozone Sterilizers

Ozone sterilizers are mainly used for sterilization and disinfection. Specifically, ozone gas is generated inside the device and diffused into the air to inactivate airborne viruses and bacteria. The places where viruses and bacteria should be reduced are facilities that are used by large numbers of people.

In such facilities, inactivation of viruses and bacteria is important from a public health perspective. For example, ozone sterilizers are used in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, daycare centers, hotels, food factories, and restaurants.

Ozone sterilizers are also used to decompose odorous substances. In other words, they are used for deodorization. Specifically, ozone sterilizers are used in clean centers to control the odor of garbage, and in pet-owning households to control odors. By suppressing odors, working and living environments can be improved.

In addition, ozone sterilizers can also be used to repel pests. Although it cannot directly exterminate pests such as cockroaches, it can decompose pheromones and other substances necessary for pests to reproduce, thereby keeping them at bay.

Principle of Ozone Sterilizers

The principle of ozone sterilizer is the decomposition of substances by the oxidizing power of ozone gas, as described above. The ozone molecule is a simple molecule (O3) consisting of three oxygen atoms, and is known to have the second highest oxidizing power after fluorine.

An ozone sterilizer decomposes organic substances by oxidizing them with ozone gas generated inside. The oxidative decomposition action not only inactivates microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, but also decomposes odorous substances.

Features of Ozone Sterilizers

Sterilization methods have long been known for their ability to produce sterilizing and inactivating effects on microorganisms. Conventional sterilization methods include ethylene oxide gas, gamma rays, and ultraviolet irradiation.

However, the disinfection method using ultraviolet and other types of irradiation has the disadvantage that it cannot sterilize areas where ultraviolet rays cannot reach. In addition, the sterilization method using ethylene oxide gas may cause residues that are harmful to the human body.

In contrast, in the case of the ozone gas sterilization method, ozone gas is a gas, so it can be pumped into even the most complicated structures. In addition, ozone gas itself decomposes when it oxidizes microorganisms, and immediately turns into oxygen gas after decomposition. Therefore, ozone sterilizers can be effective even in areas that are difficult to sterilize and have little effect on the human body if used properly.

Other Information on Ozone Sterilizers

1. Maintenance Cost of Ozone Sterilizers

Ozone sterilizers use ultraviolet lamps and plasma to generate ozone gas. Ultraviolet light and plasma irradiation can generate highly concentrated ozone from oxygen in the air. Since the raw material is oxygen gas, which is originally present in the air, and only the electric power necessary for irradiation is required, no complicated processes are needed for ozone gas generation.

Therefore, another feature of an ozone sterilizer is its low running cost. Ozone sterilizers have relatively high safety for human health and low risk of air pollution, and are becoming popular as a powerful sterilization device in this age of emphasis on SDGs. 

2. Effects of Ozone Gas on the Human Body

Ozone gas is relatively safe for the human body at low concentrations because it quickly converts to oxygen gas as described above. However, because of its oxidizing power, it is harmful in high concentrations.

As a guideline for safe ozone gas concentration, 0.05 ppm or less is recommended. Because ozone gas itself has a characteristic odor, the presence of ozone gas can be detected even at very low concentrations.

What Is a Smart Relay?

A smart relay refers to an ultra-compact programmable controller.

A programmable controller is a device that outputs from inputs such as pushbuttons and sensors based on predetermined software.

A smart relay is about as wide as several standard mini-power relays in a row. They are economically advantageous because the control panels that house them can be made smaller. However, they have the disadvantage of having fewer inputs and outputs than general programmable controllers and are less expandable.

Uses of Smart Relays

Smart relays have only four output points without expansion. As such, they are used more in commercial facilities than in factories or other large industrial equipment.

Smart relays are equipped with weekly time switches and other functions as part of their existing performance. Therefore, they are used to manage lighting, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment in stores. They could also be used for signal indicators on private roads.

In factories, it can be used for simple devices such as controlling rainwater collection pumps.

Since the software is editable, a wide range of uses of the system can be anticipated.

Principle of Smart Relays

Smart relays are divided into three parts: a power terminal, an input terminal, an arithmetic unit, and an output terminal.

The power supply specification is selected according to the available power supply.

The input terminal is mainly used to input signals from sensors and push buttons. Both analog and digital signals can be input. For analog input, only voltage input can be selected. For current input, a resistor is connected in parallel to convert it to a voltage input. AC digital input and DC digital input can also be selected depending on the type of smart relays.

The arithmetic part stores and processes the smart relay software. It is the CPU of the programmable controller. The software can be edited both by programming software and by display panel editing. Simple software can be edited on the display panel. Complex software that includes analog signal processing is generally edited by programming software.

The output terminal is the part that outputs digital signals. Transistor output and relay output can be selected according to the type of output device.

What Is a Set Collar?

A set collar is a mechanical part that is fixed to a shaft with a hexagon socket set screw. It is used to fix the position of bearings, sprockets, pulleys, gears, shafts, etc.

Most set collars on the market are metallic, but resin set collars are also commonly available. Since attaching the set collar to the shaft is easy and workable, it is often the first choice when fixing the above-mentioned parts at the time of design, and is used in various situations.

Uses of Set Collars

Set collars are general-purpose machine parts and are used in all types of equipment, regardless of the field.

They are mainly used to fix parts such as bearings, sprockets, pulleys, gears, and shafts in the axial direction by fixing the set collar to the shaft.

Also, taking advantage of the features of being able to fix at any position on the shaft, brackets and plates can be slid to any position on the shaft by making it possible to attach brackets and plates to the set collar.

Features of Set Collars

Features of set collars are that they can be easily fixed to the shaft using screws. They are divided into several types according to the different fixing methods:

• Standard type
  This is a standard type of set collars. The inside diameter has a precision hole corresponding to the shaft diameter, and in most cases, they are fixed to the shaft with a hexagon socket head cap screw. Since they are fixed with a hexagon socket bolt, the shaft will be scratched.
• Slit type
  This type has a slit in the collar and looks C-shaped. One side of the slit has a tap, and the other side has a hole and a counterbore on the same axis. Compared to the standard type, this type can be tightened more strongly and does not damage the shaft.
• Split type
  This type is set collars that are fixed to the shaft by screwing two semicircular parts that look like a collar cut in two. Features of this type are that it is not necessary to insert the collar from the end face of the shaft since it is completely separated into two parts. In addition, it can be directly assembled to the desired location.

There are many types of set collars available on the market, but in many cases, product designers design their own set collars. The appropriate method is chosen in consideration of the cost of the parts and the time required.

What Is an Ultra Low Profile Screw?

Ultra Low Profile Screws are screws with extremely thin heads. They are sometimes called ultra-low head screws or slim head screws.

Ultra Low Profile Screws include cross-hole, hexagon socket, hexagon bolt, etc. In addition to coarse-grained screws, tapping screws are also commercially available.

Uses of Ultra Low Profile Screws

Ultra Low Profile Screws are used for screw fastening in areas where the screw head should not protrude. They can be attached to sheet metal parts, resin-molded parts, machined parts, etc., regardless of the part in question.

A countersunk screw is a screw in which the screw head does not protrude at all. However, when using a countersunk screw, it is necessary to countersink the part to which it will be attached. Depending on the processing method of the part, pan-finishing may add one more processing step to the part, thus increasing the cost. Also, when countersunk screws are used on thin sheets such as sheet metal, the dimensional limitation of the sheet’s thinness makes it impossible to ensure a sufficient countersunk shape.

Ultra Low Profile Screws are used in such areas, but not in places where even the slightest protrusion is unacceptable.

Principle of Ultra Low Profile Screws

The advantages of using Ultra Low Profile Screws include the following:

• Can be used in areas with small spaces. Ultra Low Profile Screws can be used in areas where normal screw heads would interfere with other parts. This allows for the downsizing of equipment.
• Ultra Low Profile Screws can be used for screw fastening in exterior parts of the equipment so as not to spoil the appearance of the equipment. This is because the protrusion of screws on covers and garment surfaces is less noticeable.
• Since the screw heads are thin, weight can be reduced. For weight-sensitive units, the use of Ultra Low Profile Screws may also be considered to reduce weight.
• This can be used for parts that cannot be countersunk. For parts that require mounting adjustments, it is common to use long holes for mounting. However, it is not possible to use long holes for countersunk firings. Ultra Low Profile Screws can also be used for thin sheet metal parts.

The disadvantages of Ultra Low Profile Screws are as follows:

• Because the screw head is thin, the strength of the screw is low. Care must be taken when fastening in areas where large forces are applied.
• Because the screw heads are thin, the cross holes and hexagonal holes for screwdrivers and hexagonal wrenches are shallow, leading to the screw heads being easily lapped due to the limited clearance. It is not suitable for parts that are to be attached and detached repeatedly.

It is necessary to understand these disadvantages before use.

What Is a Rebar Processing Machine?

Rebar Processing Machines are broadly classified into three types based on their functions: rebar cutters, rebar benders, and rebar welders. Each of these functions is important.

Rebar is a steel material, it is a steel bar for reinforced concrete. A Rebar Processing Machine is a machine tool to process this steel material, known as rebar at construction sites and factories.

Usage of Rebar Processing Machine

As the name suggests, Rebar Processing Machines are used for processing rebar. However, since rebar is generally a steel material used to reinforce concrete and other structures, the actual location where the machine is used must be taken into consideration regarding the use of the Rebar Processing Machine.

In the case of cutting, bending, and welding, the performance specifications of the machine tool required for mass production in a factory are different from those required for work on the construction site, and the requirements for the machine in terms of machine weight, transportation, fuel power, etc., and its usage are also different.

Principle of Rebar Processing Machine

Reinforced concrete, also called RC, is a material that is strong in the compressive direction but lacks tensile strength, which is compensated for by steel bars (which are strong in tensile strength).

Most of today’s reinforcing bars are not round steel but have knots and ribs in irregular shapes. This is because the unevenness of the knots and ribs enhances adhesion to the concrete and prevents the rebar from falling out.

Rebar Processing Machines are machines that cut, bend, and spot-weld these irregularly shaped steel materials.

The first is a cutting machine, but there is a Rebar Cutter as a Rebar Processing Machine used at construction sites. Most of them are handy and portable, and they cut reinforcing steel bars either electrically or hydraulically. However, they are not suitable for cutting large quantities of rebar and are intended for on-site use.

On the other hand, the Automatic Rebar Cutting Machine is used in rebar processing factories. There are many fully-automated types that are automated, and a series of processes such as carrying in, cutting, and discharging are performed at high speed under computer control. Processing accuracy can be achieved in mm units, and many of them are capable of processing multiple rebars at the same time.

The bending machine, like the cutting machine, includes a handy type known as a Rebar Bender. However, the Rebar Bender is not suitable for complex bending or handling large quantities.

In factories, Automatic Rebar Processing Machines that can handle complex bending of curves for multiple bars and in large quantities based on NC control, and stationary types called Ring Benders that are dedicated to circular bending are also often used.

Finally, there are welding machines, but various types of Rebar Processing Machines are used for spot welding applications rather than for rebar-exclusive use. For factories, there are also Spot Welding Processing Machines suitable for the rebar assembly method, which combine welding and rebar assembly processing in a single set.

What Is an Electric Dryer?

An Electric Dryer is a device that dries objects containing moisture by means of electricity.

Electric drying is not efficient and is not widely used for industrial purposes. It is used for small food products and the production of small parts.

However, it has the advantage that the only utility required is electricity. They are also widely used for household purposes because of their simple and inexpensive construction.

For this reason, the Electric Dryer can be said to be one of the devices that have led the white goods industry both domestically and internationally.

Uses of Electric Dryers

Electric Dryers are used for a wide range of purposes and can be found in many places in the home, making it a device that is deeply rooted in our daily lives.

Typical examples include hair dryers that evaporate moisture from hair and clothes dryers that evaporate moisture from laundry. Some ordinary houses have indoor Electric Dryers built in. They are used in housing complexes in areas where large balconies cannot be taken or where land prices are high.

For industrial use, they are used as food dryers and for drying workpieces. Electric Dryers are mainly used as small dryers because gas drying is less expensive than electric drying when the size of the drying system becomes large.

Principle of Electric Dryer

Electric Dryers are very simple mechanical devices.

First, when the power is turned on, electricity is supplied to the electric heating wire, which releases heat.

In an open system, such as a hair dryer, the blower is activated at the same time, allowing any area to be dried.

In a closed system, such as a food dryer, an exhaust system simultaneously operates to push humidified internal air outward.

The exhaust system is selected to maintain or raise the temperature inside the system, within the capacity of the electric heating wire. In most cases, the exhaust system will continue to operate until the end of drying.

If electricity is continually supplied to the heating wire, the temperature will rise without limit. Therefore, thermoswitches or temperature regulators are used.

Thermoswitches and temperature regulators are used to turn the power supply to the heating wire on and off in order to maintain a constant temperature in the system. Since it is difficult to change the amount of heat generated by the electric heating wire, in most cases it is controlled ON-OFF.

A batch of dryers is completed by a humidity controller and timer control. Timers are often used because they are easy to control and inexpensive.

In large equipment such as plants, the exhaust system may be omitted as a separate unit.

What Is an Electrode Strip?

An Electrode Strip is a set of devices that detects the water level in a container containing liquid, such as a water tank. It works in the same way as electrode rods used to detect the water level in receiving water tanks on the roofs of buildings.

Electrode Strips are made of an air-resistant stainless steel stranded wire coated with PVC and a metal fitting for detection.

Splits are attached with screws that bite into the wires of the Electrode Strip, allowing the liquid to pass through and conduct electricity between the split that is flooded and the common split that is attached at the deepest point, which corresponds exactly to the tip of the electrode rod.

Uses of Electrode Strip

Electrode Strips are used to monitor the water level in receiving tanks and drainage tanks installed in places where large amounts of water are used and drained, such as office buildings, condominiums, and hotels where many people are working.

It is effective in drainage layers where problems caused by suspended solids, which are considered unsuitable for electrode rods, are likely to occur, and in tanks that are prone to short circuits due to the distance to the liquid level.

The detected signal is used to maintain an appropriate amount of water in the receiving tank, and in the drainage layer, it is used to control the transfer to the treatment tank, which adjusts the water quality to a level that allows it to be discharged into rivers and seas.

Other Information on Electrode Strip

Characteristics of Electrode Strip

Electrode Strips are usually made up of three wires and three split pins, corresponding to the short, medium, and long electrode rods, and function in the same way as full water, drought, and common tips. Split screws bite into the wire coating, establishing contact and exposing the wire at that point, creating an electrical state similar to that of the tip of the electrode rod.

When the amount of water in the Electrode Strip decreases beyond the water level at the low water level point, the control equipment determines that the water level is low by opening the line that was previously short-circuited.

On the other hand, if the water volume rises to a high water level point, the control equipment determines that the tank is full to prevent the liquid from overflowing, and a full water alarm is issued and other actions are taken. The basic configuration of the electrode band is the same as the electrode rod, with full water and low water, but it is also possible to install another point splitting sill to eliminate the float used for replenishment pump control.

Alternatively, if the tank is deep enough to increase the distance between the high and low electrode strips, it may be necessary to add additional points in addition to the high and low electrode strips, since the conduction with the common is likely to be unstable.

What Is a Power Supply Unit?

A power supply unit (PSU) is an essential component that converts electrical power from a source into the correct voltage, current, and frequency required by various devices. Unlike the alternating current (AC) supplied by power companies, PSUs convert this power into direct current (DC), suitable for electronics that demand stable and specific voltage levels.

Applications of Power Supply Units

PSUs are integral to both household and industrial settings, powering devices ranging from personal computers, where they supply energy to critical components like the motherboard and graphics board, to programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in manufacturing processes.

Principle of Power Supply Units

The functionality of a PSU is divided into four critical sections:

• Commercial Power Supply Part: It interfaces with the AC power supply, typically within the 100 to 240 VAC range.
• Switch Part: This component manages the power state of the PSU, often utilizing dip switches for control.
• Protection Part: Safeguard downstream devices against power anomalies, using components like fuses for safety.
• Rectifier Section: Converts AC to DC power, ensuring stable power supply through diodes and IGBTs, and smoothing current fluctuations with electrolytic capacitors.

Types of Power Supply Units

Diverse applications necessitate different types of PSUs, including:

• AC-DC Power Supply Unit: For converting AC to DC power, essential in various devices from PCs to industrial machinery. See more at DC Power Supply.
• DC-DC Converter: Adjusts DC voltage levels to meet specific device requirements.
• Linear Power Supply Unit: Offers simple design with minimal EMI but at the cost of efficiency and size.
• Switching Power Supply Unit: Provides efficient power conversion in a compact form, albeit with potential EMI concerns. Explore Switching Power Supply.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Ensures continuous power during outages, critical for data and system protection. Learn more at UPS.
• Variable Power Supply Unit (VPS): Offers adjustable voltage and current for R&D and testing purposes.

Selecting the right PSU is crucial for ensuring the optimal performance, efficiency, and reliability of your devices.