Hydraulic cylinders are commonly found in industrial machines. Consisting of an actuator, it uses hydrostatic energy to generate force. Hydraulic cylinders essentially use fluid to create a pull or push force. Because they contain fluid, however, they require the use … Read More

Consisting of a thin donut-shaped plate of metal with a hole in the center, washers are used to distribute the load of a fastener. Fasteners will create a load when driven into an object. With a washer, this load will … Read More

Molded rubber is used in a variety of products. You can find grommets, gaskets, hoses, boots and countless other products made of molded rubber. It’s a durable, long-lasting material that’s incredibly versatile. Unless you’re familiar with it, though, you might … Read More

Stainless steel is often classified by its crystalline structure. When inspecting stainless steel under a microscope, you’ll see an array of crystals. There are four primary types of crystalline structures including ferric, martensitic, duplex and austenitic. Of those four types, … Read More

Loose joint hinges have become a popular alternative to traditional hinges. They are still used to connect two objects, and they still allow one or both of the connected objects to rotate. Loose joint hinges, however, feature a unique design … Read More

In the manufacturing industry, production cycles can often be classified as either short run or long run. Some manufacturing companies focus on short-run production, whereas others focus on long-run production. While they both involve the conversion of raw materials into … Read More

The term “living hinge” can be confusing. Hinges are mechanical devices that allow for a limited angle of rotation. They aren’t living organisms, of course. Rather, hinges are inanimate objects. Depending on the material from which it’s constructed, though, a … Read More