Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation has played an integral role in supporting systems for ground testing and development of spacecraft and components, both inside and outside of vacuum chambers. Steve Varma Operations Manager Minus K Technology Spacecraft ground testing is sensitive to the smallest vibrations, can be caused by a multitude of factors. Every structure is transmitting vibrations from […]
Shock + Vibration Mitigation
ACE Controls now supplies SOL-28 solar dampers
ACE Controls now supplies SOL-28 solar dampers for solar-panel motion designs needing compression and extension forces of 14 to 2,252 lb and strokes of 1.97 to 15.00 in. The main purpose of SOL-28 solar dampers is to protect photovoltaic (PV) solar tracking systems from damage caused by the negative effects of harsh weather conditions. The dampers […]
What are vibration criteria and VC curves?
Precision manufacturing and testing processes are highly sensitive to vibrations, which often result from both internal sources such as foot traffic, fans, and pumps, and external ambient sources such as outside traffic, construction, and other nearby industrial activities. To address these concerns, a set of “generic” vibration criteria was created in the 1980s by Eric Ungar […]
New applications a major trend for shocks and vibration mitigation in 2020
Automated machinery and manual designs alike must exhibit minimal vibration and should gently and precisely slow and moving masses on (or engaged with) the design. Our 2020 Design World Trends survey of industry experts indicates an uptick in new applications for shocks, damping, gas springs, and kinematic holding that were previously done manually or run […]
Motion-control systems help automate COVID-19 testing
Automated biochemical analyzers vastly accelerate the testing of patient samples in laboratories, which has become critical now that the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe. Advanced automation with motor-based motion systems will help in the fight to hasten diagnosis. Just consider the cobas 6800 and 8800 machines from Roche that automate testing of nasopharyngeal […]
ACE Controls dampers improve doors on high-end tractor cabs
Key Dollar Cab manufactures tractor cabs for an array of orchard-farm tractor models. In fact, Key Dollar Cab has been innovating and improving these designs since 1982 — leveraging new technologies to make the cabs ever safer and more comfortable for tractor operators. For their newest orchard tractor cabs, Key Dollar Cab wanted a very […]
What is a tuned mass damper and how is it used in motion control?
Vibrations in machinery can lead to a premature wear of components, poor quality machine output (parts out of spec, unacceptable finishes), and even damage to the product or failure of the machine. This is why most industrial equipment employs some method of vibration mitigation to reduce or prevent vibrations that could be detrimental to the […]
What is an arbor and how can it reduce machine tool vibration?
On a typical machine tool, the tool that performs the machining operation (cutting, milling, or boring, for example) is attached to a rotating spindle that drives the tool. But on machines that require long machining lengths, such as milling and boring, the tool is mounted to an arbor. The arbor is driven by the spindle […]
How are industrial shock absorbers different from other damping systems?
Shock loads are common in industrial equipment — both as a normal result of the application and as unforeseen loads that occur when there’s a variance in the operation or process. Whether incorporated into the initial design or added after implementation, industrial shock absorbers are often the best choice for mitigating the forces that result […]
ACE Controls adds e-commerce function to website
ACE Controls presents an all new e-commerce web store, making AceControls.com a true one-stop shop for sizing, configuring, and now purchasing shock absorbers or gas springs. All the previously offered tools and resources are still available on the website, including product sizing tools, accessory configurators, tutorials, and a full CAD library with part drawings. Being […]