Bishop-Wisecarver

Big Win for the Heritage High Robotics Team!

2012-01-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

One of the high school robotics teams we are sponsoring this year for FIRST just shared some exciting news with us — and we want to spread the word on the web! Our group of Heritage High robot-makers extraordinaire — team name: The Patriots — took home the Inspire Award for best overall team at a FIRST Tech Challenge regional qualifier this past weekend. Awesome job! The trophy means this

On Track with Guide Wheels Word Search

2012-01-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

It's #MotionMonday once again! How did you do last Monday? This is our third edition of our weekly puzzle — a great way to get your week rolling. This word search is based on an article that ran in Machine Design magazine several years ago titled "Getting on Track with Guide Wheels." You can download a copy of the write-up on our website here. [ Download ] the puzzle to get started, and if you

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 4

2012-01-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

It's the end of a month of new beginnings! First, we welcomed 2012 after a nice weeklong break from the office. Then came the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Water Dragon, one that according to the Chinese zodiac, will bring prosperity (and a tendency to overspend). Sounds like a good time! Here's our every-Friday Top 10 tweeps post, which sums up the best banter of the week. If you follow

National Mentoring Month Shout-Out: Stewart Leicester

2012-01-24T09:23:00.000-08:00

Stewart Leicester signed up as mentor to his son's high school robotics class four years ago. The kid dropped out, but the dad kept going. He was having too much fun. "I really enjoyed engineering as a teenager," said the 56-year-old Bay Area resident and self-employed software programmer. "The joy you get from building stuff is hard to impart because a lot of schools don't have auto shop,

Espresso Chat: Filling and Sealing Milk Bottles

2012-01-23T22:55:00.000-08:00

In an age of information overload, sometimes you just want a quick jolt of just-the-basics. That's why we started this "Espresso Chat" blog series — a quick 200-words-or-less article that touches on a little bit of everything from products and technologies to industry news. Today, we bring you a shot-sized application story about our [ PRT2 ] precision ring and track solutions. PROBLEM:

Frequently Asked Questions About DualVee Guide Wheels

2012-01-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

Happy #MotionMonday, all! You ready for the work week? How about prepping for the day by doing this word search. You'll become an expert on all things DualVee linear guide wheels once you're done. Just read our FAQ page to study up, because we've answered some of your most popular questions! [ Download ] the crossword puzzle. If you missed last week's edition, [ download it now ] to try your

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 3

2012-01-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

Twitter exploded with strong opinions, arguments and protests over a proposed anti-piracy law that could potentially censor the internet. We followed the conversation all week, tweeting about it, linking to interesting news articles and discussions about SOPA — the Stop Online Piracy Act. But that's not all that caught our eye during the hubbub of this week's heated national discourse. Every

FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff 2012 — A Night to Remember

2012-01-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

We live in a culture obsessed with Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes. Superbowl winners get invited by our nation's president to the White House every year, and career baseball players or football stars score astronomical multimillion dollar contracts. But there's a movement in our nation that's shifting our focus to science, technology, engineering and math — all of which is

Selecting and Sizing Linear Guide Wheels Crossword

2012-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

Hello readers, and happy Monday! We'd like to start this week off with something new, so here goes. If you follow us on Twitter, you might have noticed we have this #MotionMonday hashtag trend that calls attention to linear and rotary motion technologies, but we'd like to expand on that theme by bringing it here to our blog. Here is the inaugural edition of our Motion Monday wake-up-your-brain

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 2

2012-01-13T16:21:00.000-08:00

What a week! We started our week off this past weekend on the East Coast for the national kickoff of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Good times! We got to spend it touring the home of a famous inventor and got all jazzed up seeing how excited everyone was about the whole thing. We'll post links and photos of our visit here, just in case you missed all the buzz over the weekend. Next time, be

Espresso Chat: Using Rotary Motion to Study Human Movement

2012-01-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

In an age of info overload, sometimes all you need is a quick jolt of facts, not a forever-long white paper or data sheet. That's the idea behind our new feature: Espresso Chats. We'll pick a topic, give you a simple rundown and have you on your way, re-energized with new knowledge. Best enjoyed with a dash of curiosity. Enjoy! Credit: Mikrolar WALKING THE WALK: What shoe designs can

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 1

2012-01-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

We rung in the New Year with an explosion of tweets — many of them, we think, that merit another mention. And that, everyone, is why we give you this wrap-up: Because all that's funny and fascinating on Twitter deserves another chance to grab your fleeting attention. It's 2, and this here's the inaugural tweets-of-the-week post of the New Year. Our social media resolution this year? Chat with

Q&A with David Ray, Regional Sales Manager

2012-01-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

Get to know Bishop-Wisecarver's Regional Sales Manager, David Ray! David works hands on with our sales reps located in the West Coast region of the United States, a chunk of the country that spans from California to Colorado to Alaska and Hawaii. He recently took time from his busy schedule to share a little about himself. To reach him directly about all things linear motion, zap him a

Top Tweets of the Week — Holiday Edition, Last of the Year!

2011-12-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Omigosh, we're closing in on our holiday break and\ won't be back until next year! Since we're out of the office this coming week, we expanded this holiday tweets-of-the-week edition to top 15. Consider it our gift to you. You're welcome. And another "you're welcome" is in order if you join the other 2,000-plus other followers keeping tabs on all our tweets @BWCnews. Happy holidays, friends!

Celebrating Innovation, Entrepreneurs and Living the American Dream — Contest Awards $25,000 to Winner

2011-12-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

We were geeked to read that in the spirit of out-of-the-box ingenuity, [ Design World ] and a small business advocacy group recently awarded a generous chunk of cash to a few inventors through a "Live Your Dream" contest that addressed an important topic on all of our minds during these tough economic times ... Is innovation alive and well? YES! Check out the winners: A reinforced "travel

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice — Check Out This Podcast

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

Damian Harris Such a pleasant surprise on the internet today! We discovered some flattering words on Twitter about us by Australian power transmission blogger Damian Harris. Read what he had to say about our savvy social media ways in his latest podcast: Of all manufacturers using social media, Bishop-Wisecarver does one of the better jobs of engaging with its community. The Pittsburg, CA,

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 50

2011-12-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

Got all your holiday shopping in the bag? Yeah, neither do we. But you've got one more weekend before the big holiday of the year! In the meantime, keep yourself entertained and informed during this final week of pre-holiday goodness by following us on Twitter @BWCnews. Credit: Fast Company 1. Suit Simulates the Effects of Aging on FastCoDesign.com: Ever wonder what it feels like to be 70

Supporting Our Troops This Holiday Season — Thank You, Patrick!

2011-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

While many of us will spend the holidays cozied up by the fire in the company of loved ones, 24-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Patrick Thisius and the few-dozen soldiers he's stationed with in a remote corner of Afghanistan just have each other and whatever comes through the mail from folks back home. This Christmas will be the third one Thisius spends apart from his wife and family. To help ease the

Staple Gun in Motion with DualVee® Linear Guide Wheels

2011-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

I see linear guide wheels Muhaha! We were just tagged in this photo post by B&B Bearing and Electric Motor Ltd. on Facebook.The caption says, "Our customer made this amazing staple gun using Bishop-Wisecarver's versatile linear bearings." That's one heck of a staple gun! Such a great application, guys! Thank you for the share. We'd love to learn more about

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 49

2011-12-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

Eggnog latte with an extra shot? Check. Scented holiday candle? Check. Weekly wrap-up of all the news that's fit to tweet? Let's do this! And just so you don't miss out on all our brilliant Twitter chatter in the future, make like a stalker and follow us @BWCnews. Credit: PD&D 1. New Planet Eerily Similar to Earth tweeted by @PDandD: A planet we just found on the outer edge of our solar

Catching Up on Math and Science Through FIRST® at Heritage High School — Female Club President Gets Involved

2011-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

Until recently, math and science never came easily to Holly Kraeber. The 17-year-old says her smarts are more creative and managerial than technical. But that didn't stop her from stepping up this year as the first-ever female president of Heritage High School's robotics team, which she plans to lead through a series of FIRST® robotics tournaments culminating in the national championship in St

Sloughing Off Sawdust, Wood Chips and Debris with Linear Guide Wheel Technology That Handles Harsh Environments

2011-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

PROBLEM: A company that manufactures and supplies prefabricated log homes created a multi-axis guide machine that carves notches into big, heavy logs. The system is constantly bombarded with sawdust and wood chips because of all the sawing, so the customer needed a sturdy automation system able to endure a heavy duty, dust-and-debris-filled environment. SOLUTION: To battle this harsh

So What Exactly is a Linear Motion Bearing?

2011-12-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

How cool — the folks at Design World just posted a cool new video all about linear bearings! We sponsored this four-minute segment that gives you a basic understanding of linear motion systems. The gist of it: A bearing normally uses a bushing, pad or roller to move something along a rail that doesn't necessarily have to be a straight line The rail can be pretty much any length, depending on

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 48

2011-12-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

It's out first Twitter wrap-up of the month! Happy Friday and welcome to December, everyone! We're beginning to think about holiday gift ideas, so you'll see a few of our faves sprinkled throughout the next few top ten lists. Not following us on Twitter yet? No excuses! Come on now, here's our handle: @BWCnews. We talk about more than just linear actuators, guides and slides! Credit:

High-Speed Motion Control for Blister-Packed Razors

2011-12-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

APPLICATION Assembling and packaging men's razors CHALLENGES Create a high-speed conveyor to save time and money Ensure precise indexing from station to station SOLUTION The [ DTS curvilinear track system] by HepcoMotion Locking devices to halt each carriage within 0.1mm of its target station PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: Using the continuous motion DTS to assemble and fill blister-packs

ALR Aluminum Rings Are Ideal For Light Load Applications

2011-11-30T12:44:00.000-08:00

These HepcoMotion® ALR Aluminum Rings offered exclusively through Bishop-Wisecarver are perfect for light loads since they weigh 54 percent less than similar-sized steel rings. These cost-effective rings are anodized to make them corrosion resistant. ALR comes in four sizes, from 148mm to 300mm in diameter and work with our signature DualVee® polymer guide wheels! Ring options include gearcut,

Bowling Robots, Science-Savvy Students and Fierce Competition: Must be FIRST Season, and We're Very Excited!

2011-11-29T17:11:00.000-08:00

Our linear motion components are building blocks used by more than just mechanical engineers in the work force! Future engineers use our products too! We've donated products to be used in the 2012 FIRST competition, making us corporate "Diamond Sponsors" of an organization created by renowned inventor Dean Kamen that is laying the foundation for students to pursue careers in science and

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 46

2011-11-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, time flew crazy fast this week thanks to the flurry of excitement at Fab Tech! Good times. Before heading into the weekend, we'd like to share some noteworthy tweets culled from our very robust Twitter feed @BWCnews and the Bishop-Wisecarver Daily curated newsletter. If you don't follow us now, why not? Give us a shot... all the cool kids are doing it. 1. Robots Creating Jobs for

Application Spotlight: Pick 'n Place Robots

2011-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

Our linear motion guides and systems are building blocks for a countless number of application types — probably more than we even can even imagine! To demonstrate that versatility, we occasionally spotlight specific product applications. Got an application story you are proud of that you'd like to share with us? Tell us and it may turn into another lil' featurette here! PICK 'N PLACE GANTRY

Other Ways to Mount the DualVee Guide Wheel

2011-11-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

TODAY'S TOPIC: More DualVee mounting options. In a recent blog post, we touched on a few basic ways to mount DualVee guide wheels [ click here in case you missed it ]. But there's more! We turned to our Project Engineer Brian Burke to tell us about some other possibilities. Here's our takeaway from that chat. JOURNAL mounting comes in handy for adjusting wheel positions from behind an

Linear Guide Wheels in Action for Pipe Cutting at FabTech!

2011-11-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Didn't take long cruising the floor at the FabTech Expo this week with our linear guide wheel tour guide named 'Mo' to find our products in action! The massive metal industry trade event features hundreds of vendors, many of them showcasing their newest technologies for the first time, and we found DualVee guide wheels and track in quite a few pipe-cutting machines on display. How cool! [

Ultra High Pressured Waterjet Cutters on Show at the FabTech Expo

2011-11-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Cutting difficult materials like armor plate, glass, granite and marble with a waterjet system can get messy. Even soft materials like aluminum, plastic, copper and brass. Check out this photograph taken on the floor of FabTech from a manufacturer of waterjet cutting systems using our DualVee linear guide wheels. These large machines are designed for heavy duty precision and rigidity to keep

Dispatches From FabTech — We'll Be Here All Week!

2011-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

Day one of the FabTech Expo in Chicago and we're thrilled to be here! This is the largest metal industry event in North America — literally tens of thousands of attendees are expected to come through the McCormick Place convention center throughout the week to check out the 1,200 vendors. [ Click here for a recent blog we posted about the event ] Luckily, we've got a friendly little tour guide/

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 45

2011-11-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

So much going on this week! Last-minute preparations for the FABTECH EXPO, planning for the new year and staying abreast of all the news and views bubbling up in the Twitterverse. There's always something to share — so here's our weekly list of attention-grabbing tidbits we found through Twitter. [ On that note, you should totally follow us @BWCnews ] 1. When an Engineer Writes ... on

New Network, New Opportunities

2011-11-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Credit: PMMI We've got some great news to end the week with, here at Bishop-Wisecarver! We are one of 22 companies voted in this week as members of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute. Excellent! We're honored by the inclusion and look forward to using this [ membership ] to connect with leaders, customers and partners in the industry. Our PMMI peers include more than 600 U.S

Application Spotlight: Lights, Camera, Action!

2011-11-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Our products are simplistic, but their application usage is complex with imagination. To give you a glimpse of the possibilities, we like to periodically feature some of those uses here on our blog. Hopefully you will be inspired to share your own creative application stories with us! LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Videographers who need to capture smooth, steady shots often use mechanically

What are the Mounting Options for DualVee Linear Guide Wheels?

2011-11-07T12:29:00.000-08:00

TODAY'S TOPIC: Mounting DualVee guide wheels. We sat down with Mechanical Design Engineer Leslie Lui to discuss the various ways DualVee can be mounted to an application. Over cappuccinos fixed up by our very own marketing department (we're baristas, too) we broke this topic down to a few key points.At first glance, the typical mounting options for DualVee guide wheels are straightforward. Leslie

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 44

2011-11-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Really, is it November already? First Friday of the month's here and with it our first top 10 tweets of the week update. This is a collection of notable articles, photos, videos and other stuff we found through the Twitterverse this week. If you don't follow us on Twitter, you're missing out! Talk to us via @BWCnews — we'd love to hear from you! Credit: Food in Canada/Canadian MFG 1.

Are You Looking Forward to FabTech 2011?

2011-10-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of FABTECH Bishop-Wisecarver will be among some 1,200 exhibitors at the upcoming FabTech Expo, North America's largest metal industry event. This will be our first time participating in the expo, which is expected to draw about 30,000 attendees from Nov. 14 to 17 in Chicago. That's a big crowd! As industry leaders in guided motion technology, we're excited to be part of the

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 43

2011-10-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Friday's here! That means another rundown of our top 10 tweets of the week, including articles we linked to, RTs from people we follow or anything else that caught our eye. If you have any suggestions for the next installment, let us know on Twitter! Find, follow and chat with us @BWCnews! 1. RC Crawling Zombie Prop on the Bishop-Wisecarver Daily: Yikes! A zombie in motion without limits

Unlimited Length, Unlimited Possibilities

2011-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Check out our new video of our sleek 52-foot belt-actuated LoPro® Linear Guide. This long length challenge was a piece of cake for Bishop-Wisecarver! Our range of belt, chain, lead screw and ball screw actuators cover all application needs from low-load to heavy duty, from fast to slow speeds. Corrosion-resistant versions to accommodate food and laboratory applications are available in several

Our Weekly List of Top Ten Twitter Posts - Week 42

2011-10-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Better late than never! Each week we find interesting photos, websites, products and news on Twitter -- from fantastic shares by the people we follow or bits we discover on our own, these gems are definitely worth of another good share. 1. "The Divided Brain" on YouTube: The new RSAnimate features psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist who explains how our 'divided brain' has

Our Weekly List of Top Ten Twitter Posts - Week 41

2011-10-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Every week some interesting photo, article or news catches our eye on Twitter. Whether it's a RT from someone we follow or something we found on our own while cruising the internet, it's worthy of another good share. This is our weekly Friday blog (starting today - woo hoo) of our top ten favorite Twitter posts worth mentioning a second time! 1. "Engineer, That's How I Roll" T-Shirt on

We're Taking on Water, Captain!

2011-09-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Just posted a new video application example on our YouTube channel, and it was sure fun to shoot! Check out our patented washdown guide wheels made of all stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease and AISI type 440C stainless steel balls and races -- both sealed and shielded for added protection from liquids and debris. This unique design extends life in aggressive environments, fitting

Fighting Multiple Sclerosis: 2011 MS Bike Ride

2011-08-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Our latest video installment from our Motion Without Limits video coverage! Meet cyclist Chris Crawford who has been riding in the Oregon Chapter MS Bike Ride fundraiser for the last eleven years in support of his sister Bonnie and her fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to have sponsored this year's bike ride in demonstration of "Motion Without Limits" as part of

Q&A with Ali Jabbari, Vice President of Engineering

2011-08-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Get to Know Bishop-Wisecarver’s Vice President of Engineering, Ali Jabbari! Ali joined our company just recently [ view press release ] and holds an undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and graduate degrees from University of California, Berkeley. Ali can be reached via e-mail at alij@bwc.com Question: Why did you want to be an engineer? Answer: I was always

Stop Motion Animation Tightens Up with Intelligent Linear Rig

2011-08-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Production of the Glendogie Bogey stop motion animation was a smooth operation thanks to a clever design based on a HepcoMotion® linear actuation system. This film project, funded by BBC Scotland, was the sequel to the BAFTA-nominated production called Haunted Hogmanay. The story is about two friends that go in search of a fearsome monster called the Glendogie Bogey who lurks in caves under

A Jigsaw Puzzle to Get You In Motion

2011-08-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Let's get that brain of yours in motion this week with a jigsaw of DualVee guide wheels -- one of our latest images! You've got 60 pieces in honor of our 60 years of service, but I bet it won't take that long to figure it out. How fast can you solve the puzzle? HINT: Some pieces need to be rotated. After you mouse click the puzzle piece, use the keyboard arrow keys to rotate. <p&

2011 Bike MS Fundraiser - Oregon Chapter

2011-08-11T08:49:00.001-07:00

2011 Bike MS - Oregon, a set on Flickr. Check out our Flickr gallery of the 2011 Bike MS event for the Oregon chapter held this last weekend in Portland. As a corporate sponsor of cyclist Chris Crawford and his sister Bonnie, we were invited to follow along with our cameras. This is their story in photographs.

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

2011-08-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

Check out our sponsored Bike MS rider's letter from the 2011 event this past weekend, August 6th and 7th. As one of his corporate sponsors, we followed his journey with our cameras and will be posting a video very soon! You can check out photographs from the big weekend on our Flickr page. We hope you enjoy his inspirational letter! We are honored he and his sister have shared their

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

2011-08-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Back from cheering on cyclist Chris Crawford and his sister Bonnie at the annual Bike MS Fundraiser in Portland, Oregon. Continued from last week, Chris would like to share his 2010 write-up after completing a 100 mile ride. Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to be his corporate sponsor this year in the 2011 event. To learn more about him, his sister Bonnie and their fight against MS, check

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

2011-08-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Continued from last week, Chris Crawford would like to share his write-up from 2009 after the Bike MS fundraiser. Bishop-Wisecarver is sponsoring him in this year's 2011 bike ride, and you can learn more about him, his sister Bonnie and their fight against MS in our latest webisode series "Motion Without Limits" on our YouTube channel. To read his 2008 letter, click here. .............

Sharing the Reality of MS: Motion Without Limits

2011-07-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

Meet Chris Crawford in our latest webisode series (four parts) as he talks about supporting his sister Bonnie and her fight against Multiple Sclerosis. As an annual cyclist in the Bike MS Five River Ride (Oregon Chapter), Chris has built many friendships and memories that he's offered to share with Bishop-Wisecarver

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

2011-07-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Cyclist Chris Crawford has been riding in the Oregon Chapter MS Bike Ride fundraiser for the last eleven years in support of his sister Bonnie and her fight against Multiple Sclerosis. As part of our commitment to corporate giving, Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to sponsor this year's bike ride in demonstration of "Motion Without Limits". Check out our Q&A [ webisode series ] with Chris on our

Reducing Maintenance Costs While Exceeding Accuracy Expectations: Low Profile Linear Solution Using DualVee®

2011-07-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Challenge: Linear motion solution needed for a multi-head water jet cutting on a 4’ x 6’ bed and a single head on a 10’ x 20’ bed in a highly abrasive environment with load requirements of 200 pounds, slow speeds and a moderate duty cycle. The recirculating ball bearing linear guides were rapidly wearing from contamination, causing extreme loss of accuracy. Numerous replacements of the

Solve the Curvilinear Crossword to Win!

2011-06-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Can you solve the crossword in time? This game is based on the article titled “What to Do When Your Motion System Throws You a Curve” which was featured on the front cover of the June 2011 edition of Design World. The first five people to send a completed crossword to betha@bwc.com will win a Bishop-Wisecarver hat! [ click here ] to download the crossword PDF To complete the crossword

What To Do When Your Motion System Throws You a Curve

2011-06-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Did you see us on the cover of Design World this month? Check us out! "What to Do When Your Motion System Throws You a Curve" by Mechanical Design Engineer Leslie Lui was a featured story in the popular magazine's June edition. Read all about ring and track systems on the market, traditional curvilinear solutions available today, and how ring and track systems stack up > "Guide wheel

Material Handling: Flexible Product Demands Flexible Handling

2011-06-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Challenge: A good deal of ingenuity was needed to design a handling and assembly system for 9.84 foot long washing machine hosing. The system designer and builder had to provide the necessary operational flexibility needed by this application right up to the packaging station, requiring a complete integrated package that was cost effective in design and build time. Application Description:

UTCSK Camera Slider Kit, Linear Guide Wheel Technology

2011-06-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Designed for small to medium lightweight digital SLR cameras and lenses, UTCSK comes in two standard lengths of aluminum track (choose either 1000 mm and 1500 mm). For easy tripod mounting to the track, the slider comes with ¼-20” threads located at the center and both ends. The anodized aluminum wheel plate with linear guide wheels includes a ¼-20” camera thumb screw to be used with or without a

X-Y-Z Linear Guide Gantry System

2011-06-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest YouTube upload on PDU2M and PSD80 working together as one. This XYZ linear guide gantry system is a simple, cost-effective solution with minimum engineering.

Imagination, Ingenuity and Innovation -- Oh My!

2011-05-24T10:57:00.000-07:00

A couple members of the BWC team attended the 2011 Bay Area Maker Faire on Sunday, May 22nd. Wow! Imagination and ingenuity at its finest! From the Tesla Coil music dance off to a life-size game of Mousetrap, the Maker Faire proved to be one event you just can't miss. Enjoy the photo slide show of our journey through one of the best events of the year!

UtiliTrak® Linear Guide Motion Solution Provides Ergonomic Tool Positioning for Assembly Operator

2011-05-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Challenge: With continuous improvement and lean thinking in mind, this design team needed to develop a lean assembly workstation for installing numerous fasteners on a variety of product and materials. This assembly workstation needed to shorten operation time, as well as, provide ergonomic movement for the operator. It was also important that the motion solution be able to handle dusty

Member Profile Q&A on Pamela Kan from AHTD

2011-05-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this member profile on Pamela Kan from Bishop-Wisecarver on the AHTD website (Association for High Technology Distribution) posted by Maggie Skarich. Pamela talks about her team at BWC, favorite techie tools and much more. She recently spoke at the 2011 AHTD Spring Meeting on social media in the industrial B2B space. [ click here ] or the image below to read the full profile:

Q&A with Technical Inside Sales Rep Benjamin Domingo

2011-04-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Get to know Bishop-Wisecarver's Technical Inside Sales Rep, 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

Light Duty Aluminum Rings: Cost Effective Rotary Motion

2011-04-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

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

Smooth, Reliable Motion Required in Gritty Environment

2011-04-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

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. Challenge: Using

Scroll Driven Track System - High Speed

2011-04-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

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

New! Compact Linear Guide Brake System

2011-03-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest video update on YouTube -- a video demonstration of our manual UtiliTrak braking system, a recent addition to our popular compact linear guide product line. One my favorite products because it's so fun to see what our customers create using it! Looking forward to new customer application stories!

Defense Research Uses Standard Stainless Steel Motion Technologies

2011-03-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to view larger image In an effort to assist naval architects in designing helicopter friendly ships, the School of Engineering at the University of Liverpool was asked to design a device that would measure the ship airwake that a helicopter pilot would encounter while landing on the rear of a moving model warship. Contained inside a scale model of a helicopter and designed to

New Manual Brake for UtiliTrak® Compact Linear Guides

2011-03-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the addition of a compact carriage brake system to our UtiliTrak linear guide product line (you can download the PDF product sheet here). Ideal for applications with limited access, this option provides a simple two-component assembly solution for manually securing a carriage to linear guide rail. Key features include: - Brake is fabricated from aluminum then

Meet the New Guy: Bishop-Wisecarver Hires Vice President of Marketing

2011-03-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce our newest team member! Bishop-Wisecarver welcomes Nandan Mehta. With more than twenty years of experience, Mehta comes to us with a strong background in mechanical engineering and business development. He holds a Master's degree in mechanical engineering with an MBA in finance, and is the holder of three successful US patents. Read all about him in our latest [ press

Smooth Motion Needed for Medical Analyzer Equipment

2011-03-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

Why did this company choose to use DualVee Motion Technology® from Bishop-Wisecarver for their medical analyzer application? Smooth motion -- find out how this challenge was solved. Challenge: Smooth, reliable guided motion needed for medical equipment design. Application Description: The analyzer is designed for viral, bacterial, or chemical analysis of body fluids. It detects the presence

High Five to Our Crossword Puzzle Winners!

2011-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

We have two winners for the crossword puzzle in last month's newsletter. Thanks so much to everyone who participated, and congrats to the winners -- hope you enjoy your new coffee mugs! The art was created by our very own marketing department. Here's a link to the crossword [ VIEW PDF ] If anyone hasn't submitted their crossword yet, don't wait any longer! We said we'd give away five mugs,

Ignite 1.0 -- Voice of American CEOs on Manufacturing

2011-03-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

This twenty-four page publication is a great collection of information gathered from interviews with manufacturing CEOs all over America. Topics include U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness, Approach & Methodology, Key Insights & Reccomendations, Passion for the U.S. and Manufacturing and much more. Bishop-Wisecarver's very own president Pamela Kan released a comment on Twitter saying, "Proud

Drilling of Slots in Vinyl Fencing Using a Chain Driven Actuated Linear Guide

2011-02-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Why did this company use a chain driven LoPro linear guide for their vinyl fence production machine? Fast delivery, superior contamination protection, repeatability and long length availability -- learn more about why LoPro® met the challenge and even exceeded the customer's expectations. Challenge: • Customer's request for one-week delivery was crucial • Performance at a reasonable cost •

Polarization Measurement Equipment for Testing LCD Screens

2011-02-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

Extremely challenging problem leads to a very successful custom solution: Why did this manufacturer of polarization testing equipment for LCD screens choose linear and rotary motion technologies from Bishop-Wisecarver? Find out how this challenge was solved. Challenge: Axometrics Inc. manufactures polarization measurement equipment which tests LCD polarization to maximize the manufacturing

From Automotive to Aircrafts, Paint Removal with DualVee®

2011-02-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Why did this company choose to update their existing paint removal application system with our LoPro® actuated linear guide systems? Customization, high load capabilities and reduced maintenance -- see how this challenge was solved. Challenge: An existing paint removal application that used environmentally harsh chemicals needed to be updated and replaced with a system that would cut

Your Knowledge Can Win You Some Bishop-Wisecarver Swag

2011-02-23T14:26:00.000-08:00

Writer Ambrose Bierce once wrote, “Egotism, n: Doing the New York Times crossword puzzle with a pen.” Get your pencils, or pens, ready and let's see how well you do with our latest game. Since last month's word search was so popular, we've created a crossword on LoPro linear actuators -- time to put your knowledge to the test! But that's not all! Instead of giving away WD40 pens for

Long Length Actuated Linear Guide with 24 Foot Travel

2011-02-17T12:20:00.000-08:00

Challenge: A tractor trailer manufacturer needed an actuator to pick and place large wall panels. Panels are large and relatively heavy, and the unit required a 24 foot travel. A contaminant concern was heavy factory dust. Application Description: A LoPro® linear actuator is used to take panels off of a stack and place them in line in front of a rivet press which joins the panels together.

Need an Engineering Scholarship?

2011-01-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

The deadline is coming up pretty quick for this, but if you are an engineering student then you might want to check this scholarship out. The Silicon Valley Engineering Council Engineering Education awards is looking to recognize young engineering and technology students for their dedication, focus, and commitment to engineering.What a great opportunity! The Silicon Valley Engineering

Q&A with Project Engineer Brian Burke

2011-01-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

Get to know Bishop-Wisecarver's Project Engineer, Brian Burke! Brian joined our company in February 2003, and holds a BS in Manufacturing Technology from California State University in Chico and an AA in Industrial Drawing from Bakersfield College. Brian can be reached via e-mail at Brian@bwc.com -- Connect with Brian on LinkedIn. Question: Why did you want to be an engineer?

Let's Test Your Word Search Skills!

2011-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Can you solve the Bishop-Wisecarver word search? Thought you might enjoy a mid-week brain teaser to keep your mind in motion -- without limits! Might even give out a couple WD40 pens to the first five people who leave a blog comment saying they finished (I've got the answer key). [ click here ] to get your very own PDF copy Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation is a woman owned manufacturer with a

FIRST Impressions: By Brian Burke, Project Engineer

2011-01-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to observe and assist FIRST Robotics Competition team #3717 during a work session at Middle College High School. Sure, I had some preconceived knowledge about what FIRST involved. My employer Bishop-Wisecarver has been a sponsor of student teams for the past few years, and I even spent a few hours on the internet reading about the competitions and watching the

"We Are Getting Better and Better" Meet FTC Team #3470

2011-01-24T09:11:00.000-08:00

Team #3470 from Heritage High School in Brentwood, CA just competed in a regional competition early this month, and although the students won't be traveling to the national competition, they've made major triumphs since their first year participating. Get to know the students, hear about their experiences and meet their robot named Morty. Student Micheal Kinstcher says, "Each year we go on, it

Building the Robot: Meet Team #3717

2011-01-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

Get to know the students of FIRST team #3717 from Middle College High School in San Pablo, California led by instructor Eric Reed. The students are busy building their robot and having fun. Meet Maybeyli Pool, a senior who says, "I think it's pretty cool. You get to do stuff with your friends, and you get to make a robot, and you just experiment with stuff. I think that's cool. You get to make

Can You Piece DualVee Back Together?

2011-01-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Thought you might like a little fun this Monday afternoon! Here's a puzzle from one of our latest shirt designs created in-house by our own marketing department. INSTRUCTIONS: Click the icon to play (will open a new window) Good luck! *If you are wondering where the live version went, I had to take the it down because the advertisements were too loud.

The Beast that Grinds UtiliTrak® Linear Guide Rail

2011-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

This Magerle Grinder is a beast! Just posted a YouTube video of it. You can watch it here, or check out the video posted below. The machine grinds both internal vee surfaces flat and parallel to each other within .0015 of an inch over 3.6 meters in length of linear guide rail -- that's a long piece of UtiliTrak! To learn more about our linear guide, click here >>

Are You Going to West Pack? We Are!

2011-01-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

Come visit the Bishop-Wisecarver booth #4711 at West Pack on February 8th to the 10th in Anaheim, CA. Our team will be available for questions and chitchat on everything linear and rotary motion related. We will have demos, videos and much more on display -- maybe even some cool giveaways ;) Looking for free passes? Get your promo code! Here’s a link to the show’s resource hall: click here

What's Your Concern for Young People Today?

2011-01-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

That's just one of a few questions co-founder Bud Wisecarver answers in his latest installment of "Life of an Inventor" posted in September of last year -- webisode #8 alone has more than 1,000 views YouTube alone. Back in December, a couple of bloggers featured this video on their blog with comments about Bud's passion for toolmaking (Tormach and The Hobbyist's Machine Shop Blog) -- do you

Custom Pipe Cutting Machine Gets Intricate

2011-01-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

Challenge: A manufacturer known for building and utilizing the most up-to-date motion-control systems for pipe cutting needed linear guide wheels, straight track and curved segments for their custom computer operated machinery. The company required linear bearing and track components to move an air cylinder up and down, as well as side to side motion to keep large pipe of various lengths

Retro "DUA-L-VEE" Linear Guide Wheel Demo

2011-01-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

A little New Year cleaning in storage uncovered a vintage DualVee® guide wheel and track demo! Did it work when we plugged it in? You bet! Our look may have changed, but not our standard of quality. Enjoy this retro find!

We're Growing this Year!

2011-01-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

We are hiring! Check out are job page at www.bwc.com to learn more.Are you the Manufacturing Engineer we are looking to hire? Or maybe you are the Vice President of Marketing with the right qualifications to join our team!

The DualVee Snowman says, "Happy Holidays!"

2010-12-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone happy holidays and a fabulous new year! We look forward to your continuing business. We will be closed from December 24th to the 31st, and will return to the office on January 3, 2011. See you next year! Our December newsletter hit the digital news stand this morning, so check it out! View [ here ]

Medical Industry: Custom Five-Wheel Carriage Increases Load Capacity

2010-12-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

UtiliTrak® delivers stability and smooth operation, providing “easy-to-guide” vertical motion. CHALLENGE: A contract manufacturer of custom, high-value carts, consoles, tables and assemblies for medical and electronic OEM’s, required a vertically mounted linear guide system to easily raise and lower a support shelf on a cart designed for a portable ultrasound device. It needed to be cost

Enjoy Your Surroundings

2010-12-15T09:38:00.000-08:00

A machine shop is visually striking when you stop to take the time to look around. ...clean lines, organization, tools, geometric shapes, raw materials, tool bits, packaging, crates... everything in its place, all surrounded by a buzz of activity... Ideas are flowing, people are moving, machines are running and orders coming to fruition -- a toolmaker's playground. Do you stop and look

Manifold Assembly Made Safer, Easier and More Efficient

2010-12-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Challenge: A hydraulic manifold manufacturer, a supplier to first-tier automotive suppliers, sought to ease the process to manually assemble, test, and then box its hydraulic manifolds. Assembled manifolds weigh several hundred pounds, and the assembly process subjects the guidance system to a large amount of oil and some dirt and metal chips. Application Description: A ring and track

Heritage High FIRST Tech Challenge: Brentwood Press Video Coverage

2010-11-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

Video by Austin Cook from the Brentwood Press: "Heritage High School hosted the Northern California For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge last weekend where students from the Heritage Robotics Club battled other schools to qualify for the state championships." Video includes a clip of Bud Wisecarver as one of the judges for the competition. Read more

Get Your WestPack Promo Code!

2010-11-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

BISHOP-WISECARVER WILL BE AT WESTPACK, BOOTH 4711 Please join us at WestPack, the Packaging Industry's Project Acceleration Resource, February 8-10, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Simply click the electronic invitation below to visit the website, where you will find detailed information and easy online registration for complimentary admission by using PROMO CODE: XG

Bishop-Wisecarver

Big Win for the Heritage High Robotics Team!

On Track with Guide Wheels Word Search

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 4

National Mentoring Month Shout-Out: Stewart Leicester

Espresso Chat: Filling and Sealing Milk Bottles

Frequently Asked Questions About DualVee Guide Wheels

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 3

FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff 2012 — A Night to Remember

Selecting and Sizing Linear Guide Wheels Crossword

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 2

Espresso Chat: Using Rotary Motion to Study Human Movement

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 1

Q&A with David Ray, Regional Sales Manager

Top Tweets of the Week — Holiday Edition, Last of the Year!

Celebrating Innovation, Entrepreneurs and Living the American Dream — Contest Awards $25,000 to Winner

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice — Check Out This Podcast

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 50

Supporting Our Troops This Holiday Season — Thank You, Patrick!

Staple Gun in Motion with DualVee® Linear Guide Wheels

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 49

Catching Up on Math and Science Through FIRST® at Heritage High School — Female Club President Gets Involved

Sloughing Off Sawdust, Wood Chips and Debris with Linear Guide Wheel Technology That Handles Harsh Environments

So What Exactly is a Linear Motion Bearing?

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 48

High-Speed Motion Control for Blister-Packed Razors

ALR Aluminum Rings Are Ideal For Light Load Applications

Bowling Robots, Science-Savvy Students and Fierce Competition: Must be FIRST Season, and We're Very Excited!

Top 10 Twitter Posts — Thanksgiving Edition

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 46

Application Spotlight: Pick 'n Place Robots

Other Ways to Mount the DualVee Guide Wheel

Linear Guide Wheels in Action for Pipe Cutting at FabTech!

Ultra High Pressured Waterjet Cutters on Show at the FabTech Expo

Dispatches From FabTech — We'll Be Here All Week!

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 45

New Network, New Opportunities

Application Spotlight: Lights, Camera, Action!

What are the Mounting Options for DualVee Linear Guide Wheels?

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 44

Are You Looking Forward to FabTech 2011?

Our Weekly List of Top 10 Twitter Posts — Week 43

Unlimited Length, Unlimited Possibilities

Our Weekly List of Top Ten Twitter Posts - Week 42

Our Weekly List of Top Ten Twitter Posts - Week 41

We're Taking on Water, Captain!

Fighting Multiple Sclerosis: 2011 MS Bike Ride

Q&A with Ali Jabbari, Vice President of Engineering

Stop Motion Animation Tightens Up with Intelligent Linear Rig

A Jigsaw Puzzle to Get You In Motion

2011 Bike MS Fundraiser - Oregon Chapter

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

Sharing the Reality of MS: Motion Without Limits

The Fight Against MS: Motion Without Limits

Reducing Maintenance Costs While Exceeding Accuracy Expectations: Low Profile Linear Solution Using DualVee®

Solve the Curvilinear Crossword to Win!

What To Do When Your Motion System Throws You a Curve

Material Handling: Flexible Product Demands Flexible Handling

UTCSK Camera Slider Kit, Linear Guide Wheel Technology

X-Y-Z Linear Guide Gantry System

Imagination, Ingenuity and Innovation -- Oh My!

UtiliTrak® Linear Guide Motion Solution Provides Ergonomic Tool Positioning for Assembly Operator

Member Profile Q&A on Pamela Kan from AHTD

Q&A with Technical Inside Sales Rep Benjamin Domingo

Light Duty Aluminum Rings: Cost Effective Rotary Motion

Smooth, Reliable Motion Required in Gritty Environment

Scroll Driven Track System - High Speed

FIRST® LOGO MOTION™ 2011 in San Jose, CA

New! Compact Linear Guide Brake System

Defense Research Uses Standard Stainless Steel Motion Technologies

New Manual Brake for UtiliTrak® Compact Linear Guides

Meet the New Guy: Bishop-Wisecarver Hires Vice President of Marketing

Smooth Motion Needed for Medical Analyzer Equipment

High Five to Our Crossword Puzzle Winners!

Ignite 1.0 -- Voice of American CEOs on Manufacturing

Drilling of Slots in Vinyl Fencing Using a Chain Driven Actuated Linear Guide

Polarization Measurement Equipment for Testing LCD Screens

From Automotive to Aircrafts, Paint Removal with DualVee®