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!

New! Compact Linear Guide Brake System

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

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 measure in real time the forces exerted on the rotors and body, the instrument required linear and rotary motion technologies that could handle high repeatability and accuracy. It was also important that the product be stainless steel in order to withstand the ingress of water.

The combination of three technologies available from Bishop-Wisecarver was chosen for this difficult challenge: PRT Precision Ring and Track, an HD Heavy Duty Linear Slide with beam, and a LoPro Linear Slide.

Get the whole story on how this tough application challenge was solved, including comments from the project engineer. Read article [ here ]

To learn more about the products used in this challenge, visit www.bwc.com

New Manual Brake for UtiliTrak® Compact Linear Guides

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 hard anodized to protect against corrosion and abrasion with the added benefit of good braking action, grip and long life

- Available in four sizes to fit UtiliTrak linear guide sizes 0, 1, 2, and 3

- Can easily be retro-fitted to existing applications or factory pre-assembled on new systems

- A second brake assembly can be added to the opposite end if more brake strength is needed

- Interference is minimized because brake system components are positioned below the carriage's payload mounting surface

- Position of the handle can be adjusted to any angle without affecting the brake position or strength

To learn more about this new UtiliTrak Linear Guide feature, check out the press release [ here ] or download the product sheet [ PDF ]

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

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 release ]

Smooth Motion Needed for Medical Analyzer Equipment

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 of any number of infectious agents or trace elements of drugs.

Solution: Utilizing two stationary and one eccentric wheel, DualVee® technology was selected to move the reagent (assay) strips into position for the passing scanner. The scanner is mounted using four journal assemblies. Bishop-Wisecarver products manage both the relative movement of the tray and the precise movement of the scanner. DualVee Motion Technology exhibits performance characteristics most often associated with medical equipment design – smooth, low noise, and reliable antifriction guidance.

Product Used: Size 1 DualVee sealed wheels, concentric bushings, eccentric bushings and journal assemblies

High Five to Our Crossword Puzzle Winners!

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, and there are still three left to be claimed!

[ VIEW ] Original Crossword Blog: Your Knowledge Can Win You Some Bishop-Wisecarver Swag

Ignite 1.0 -- Voice of American CEOs on Manufacturing

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 to have been interview for this." Her participation is acknowledged along with 33 other individuals on page 6 and 7. Check out this great PDF download at no charge! Get your copy [ here ]

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

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
• Linear bearings able to withstand vinyl chip contamination
• Match a required repeatability of +/- .010"
• Travel length requirement of 14 feet

Application Description: Vinyl fencing (which does not require scraping or repainting) is pre-cut to length and pre-slotted so fence components can be strapped together quickly and easily, and placed in the ground or on decks. LoPro is used to push vinyl fence components into a drill press that creates slots so that the consumer can assemble the components into a fence/railing. With a servomotor attached, LoPro provides precise positioning of multiple slots on a single vinyl part.

Solution:
• Bishop-Wisecarver production committed to a one week delivery
• Wiper wheel carriage as an option on the LoPro provided superior contaminate protection
• The LoPro chain’s standard +/- .008" repeatability exceeded the customer’s expectations
• 14 feet of travel was no problem

Products Used: Chain Driven LoPro Linear Guide

Check out this video demonstrating how the chain driven LoPro linear guide can handle tough conditions, from metal shavings to wood chips.

Polarization Measurement Equipment for Testing LCD Screens

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 process. With the recent explosion of larger LCD panels being used in the monitor and television industries, a method to measure different size LCD panels faster and more efficiently was required by Axometrics’ customers. The challenge was to figure out how to rotate and position the AxoScan™ SpectroPolarimeter and still maintain the required distance between the transmitter and receiver so that they could accurately measure and compare against the LCD manufacturer’s specifications for different size screens.

Application Description: AxoScan™ SpectroPolarimeter is a fixed device which scans LCD screens that, prior to the redesign, were manually positioned between the transmitter and receiver. It measures the complete polarization properties of samples from 450 to 800 nm in under five seconds with 10 measurements per second.

Solution: Axometrics chose the Precision Ring and Track (PRT) to provide their rotational requirements. The solution was to use two internal gear ring segments with carriages mounted as mirror images of each other, separated by a space to allow the LCD panel to move between the transmitter, mounted on one carriage/ring segment, and the receiver, mounted to the other carriage/ring segment. The carriage/track system allows a 70º move in either direction with a minimum move increment of 0.05º and a repeatability of 0.05º, and a maximum velocity of 40º / sec. The two heads maintain an alignment of + / - 0.2mm over 165.1mm.

To accurately position the LCD panels between the scanners, Bishop-Wisecarver’s LoPro was chosen for the linear axes. Since design specifications required a LCD panel up to 60 inches diagonally be moved at a maximum velocity of 1000 mm/sec with a repeatability of 0.1 mm (0.004”), the X horizontal axis was supplied with two carriages to provide a larger moment capacity. The additional carriage plate increased the travel length of the X axis to 2,204.8 mm. To support the X axis and its load, a larger size LoPro was used for the Y-Y’ vertical axes.

Additional custom solutions were used to complete this application including carriage adapter brackets, an aluminum torque tube, and a motor adapter bracket.

Products Used:

• HepcoMotion PRT

• LoPro® Size 2, Belt Driven - X Axis

• LoPro® Size 3, Belt Driven - Y-Y’ Axes

Like a copy of this customer application story? Get the [ PDF ]

From Automotive to Aircrafts, Paint Removal with DualVee®

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 maintenance time and improve performance.

Application Description: Automated plastic media blasting systems are used to remove paint and other coatings on projects that vary from small automotive components to aircraft components. The level of complexity of plastic media blasting ranges from manual blast rooms to fully automated robotic systems, which reduce man-hour requirements, provide better working conditions, and improve consistency.

Solution: Bishop-Wisecarver created a customized LoPro linear guide system which enabled the customer to meet higher load requirements and reduce periodic maintenance. The new configuration also decreased labor requirements by two-thirds.

Products Used: A Customized LoPro Linear Guidance System, including X-Axis custom carriage assemblies.
• Eight (8) size 4XL DualVee guide wheels
• Steel wheel plates versus aluminum
• Load capacities of each carriage exceed 7,500 lbs. Z-Axis carriage assemblies:
• Special chain couplers with a leaf chain drive mechanism
• A solid steel idler sheave and high capacity roller bearings mounted on a steel housing structure
• Lift capacities of the Z-Axis system exceed 5,000 lbs.

Available in screw, belt, and chain driven configurations, LoPro is a modular design eliminating the cumbersome effort associated with component integration. Get the [ PDF ]