Mechanical Design Handbook

When designing a machine for customers in Europe, I have to make sure that the machine has full CE compliance. But for those new to the European market, the question remains: What exactly is CE? I searched for more details about CE and put them here for a better understanding. What is CE Marking? The CE marking is an acronym for the French " Conformité Européenne " (European Conformity). By affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer, or in certain cases another legal person responsible for the product, asserts that the item meets all the essential "Health and Safety" requirements of the relevant European Directive(s). It acts as a "passport" for your product, allowing it to be sold freely within the European Economic Area (EEA). Examples of European Directives requiring CE marking include toy safety, machinery, low-voltage equipment, medical devices, and electromagnetic compatibility. The "Self Declaration" Principl...

If you are looking for a robust indexing box for your dial application, the Sankyo AD Alpha Series is a top contender. Apart from its product specifications, we have expanded this guide to include useful technical context on why these drives are chosen over other technologies. Design and Core Technology Sankyo's AD/Alpha Series features a low-profile cast iron housing with a ground pilot flange for mounting dial plates, hubless gears, or weldment fixtures. The heart of the system is the Globoidal Cam mechanism. Unlike barrel cams, a globoidal cam is tapered to match the radius of the needle-bearing cam followers. This optimizes the contact area, maximizing torque transfer and significantly extending service life. Above the indexing dial, a stationary hollow center allows engineers to route air lines, electrical wiring, or sensor cables directly through the center of the table—a critical feature for modern automation cells. Why Choose Cam In...

In my design work, I've frequently used indexing boxes from the Japanese company Sankyo Seisakusho . The model of the indexing box is SANDEX . It is a generic name for their cam units that combine a simple and ideal indexing mechanism: the Roller Gear Cam mechanism . Sankyo's original cam technology consists of a precision-machined roller gear cam and a follower spider (turret) fitted with needle bearings. This combination creates a unit that has always enjoyed high sales and responds to industrial needs where new technologies are constantly evolving. The Mechanics of the Roller Gear Cam Unlike traditional Geneva mechanisms which suffer from high impact loads at the start and stop of motion, the SANDEX unit uses a continuous rib on the input shaft to drive the output turret. The unique geometry allows for pre-loading: the tapered rib of the cam is in constant contact with two followers at any given time. This eliminates internal clearance, r...