Q&A with Applications Engineer Benjamin Domingo

Get to know Bishop-Wisecarver's Applications Engineer, Benjamin Domingo!

Benjamin joined our company in May 2010, and holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of California, Santa Barbara. He is the second bilingual customer service representative who can assist customers with their application requirements in either Spanish or English. Benjamin can be reached via e-mail at BenD@bwc.com

Question: Why did you want to be an engineer?

Answer: I was always curious about how things worked and loved to build stuff as a kid. Naturally, this led me to an interest in engineering.

Question: Who was your biggest influence in becoming an engineer?
Answer: My mathematics teacher in high school was my biggest influence. I never really enjoyed math but she taught it in a way that sparked my interest in solving mathematical/engineering problems.

Question: Where did you go for schooling?
Answer: I attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Question: What kind of job experience did you have before joining the Bishop-Wisecarver team? Any internships?
Answer: I was involved in robotic research at school. I worked with a grad student and a professor on autonomous robotic control. It was a great experience and an enjoyable one that I will never forget.

Question: What do you enjoy most about being an engineer?
Answer: I enjoy helping people.

Question: What's the most rewarding thing about being an engineer?
Answer: The most rewarding thing about being an engineer is seeing all your hard work become a solution to something.

Question:  What is the most creative project you have worked on?
Answer: Building a soccer playing robot where I was primarily focused on designing the kicking and dribbling mechanisms and omni-directional movement.

Question: Any advice to aspiring engineers?
Answer: Keep yourself motivated. Do what you love.

Light Duty Aluminum Rings: Cost Effective Rotary Motion

You read that right! These rings weigh up to 54% less then steel rings of comparable size -- ideal for light duty applications. ALR aluminum rings by HepcoMotion® are well suited for design challenges that require a cost-effective rotary movement system with medium precision. Made from anodized aluminum, ALR rings are corrosion resistant and suitable for non-magnetic environments.

“Economical aluminum ALR rings enable the designer or machine builder to implement rotary motion solutions on cost sensitive projects.” – Brian Burke, Project Engineer

Available in four standard sizes from 148mm to 300mm in diameter, rings are compatible with size-2 DualVee® guide wheels (a polymer outer form molded onto a stainless steel bearing and stud).

“ALR rings provide several benefits including low inertial mass, reduced weight, and inherent corrosion resistance.” – Burke

Need something a little more customized? Other forms of these aluminum rings can be supplied (different diameters and thicknesses, internal vee edge, gearcut rings and timing pulleys). These items can be made upon request. 

[ Download ] the product sheet, or [ view ] out latest press release!

Smooth, Reliable Motion Required in Gritty Environment

Challenge: With metal shavings flying everywhere during production, the problem of clogging wheels and track only intensify with cutting fluids. Shavings stick to all surfaces, making it difficult to smoothly open and close heavy machine tool doors. To solve this problem, this machine tool manufacturer needed a vee shaped wheel design with an unmatched "wiping" action.

Solution: Using DualVee Motion Technology® combined with our ability to offer assorted materials and track plating options, this manufacturer chose to use a size-3 combination of guide wheels and track to handle the rigors of doors opening and closing many times throughout the day in an extremely harsh environment.

With easy adjustment, these off-the-shelf bushings provide proper fit and installation. Fit-up time is minimized as well. The same size-3 wheel and track technologies were also used in the vertical mounting of the tool changer because of the load capabilities and rigidity that DualVee offers.

Reciprocating bearing technology clogs up with the oils and metal debris in machining operations, but not DualVee — ideal for machine doors, tool changers and bar feeders. From light to heavy loads, learn more about what this linear motion technology can do for you on our website.

Products used: Size-3 DualVee wheels, size-3 carbon steel track with black oxide plating, and both concentric and eccentric bushings

Scroll Driven Track System - High Speed

New video post on our YouTube channel... check out a quick clip of the HepcoMotion® DTS2 Driven Track System. The carriages are linked with adjustable spring-loaded belts, and this system can be supplied with motors, drives and bleed lubrication. DTS2 is all about high speed, rapid indexing and high driving forces.

FIRST® LOGO MOTION™ 2011 in San Jose, CA

We had so much fun cheering on the students at the San Jose, CA regional in March! Check out our video coverage of our co-sponsored teams participating in the LOGO MOTION challenge and hear what they had say!

Student Maybeyli Pool from team #3717 said, "All of the teams are so awesome. They are helping us a lot. They have a lot of experience, and it's so good. The competition is a little crazy for us and the robot is struggling a little bit, but I am having fun."

To learn more about FIRST, click here to view their website!