It’s not uncommon for manufacturing companies to add a layer of metal over the surface of their products or components used to make their products. Known as plating, it’s used in a variety of applications. Jewelry, for example, often contains … Read More

Vulcanization is a chemical treatment process that involves the application of chemicals — usually sulfur — to alter the physical properties of rubber. In its natural state, rubber has numerous attractive qualities, including rust, corrosion and mold resistance. But rubber … Read More

Thermal spraying is a coating process that involves the application of heated particulate matter on a surface to protect against heat, cold, electricity, moisture and rust. The particulate matter — either metal, ceramics, plastics or composites — is heated using … Read More

If you are looking for a list of spectacular manufacturing failures, where products fail to perform as intended, that is not this story (although I would bet at least one of these listed failures happened in every one of those … Read More

Also known as a leveling foot or leveling pad, a leveling mount is a machinery device that’s used to level the object or machine which on which it’s installed. They feature an adjustable height, allowing users to control the height … Read More

No airplane flies today without the pilots following a detailed checklist for almost every part of the flight from engine start to engine stop. There is just too much for a pilot to remember. In early aviation, flying was simple … Read More

Originally known as an antifriction nut, a ball screw is a mechanical device that’s used to convert rotational motion into linear motion. They feature a long threaded shaft with ball bearings to withstand significant stress and weight, all while minimizing … Read More