Tools of the Trade
Skid steer loader tires
Four different types of tires from Caterpillar will fit most major brands of skid steer loaders on the market. The four models of Caterpillar brand skid steer loader tires include three pneumatic types—Premium Conventional, Cat Low Side Wall (shown), and Premium Flotation—and the Extreme Duty Solid version for severe applications. All of the tires feature 42 dual-tapered, extra-large step lugs in an open tread design to provide traction on most underfoot conditions.
High-intensity lighting
Opto Technology, Inc.'s High Flux LED illuminators known as the Shark Series offer the combined benefits of high lumens, high reliability, and small form factor. The illuminators are targeted for applications requiring a high-intensity light source, including marine lighting/signaling, emergency/hazardous lighting, and general illumination. Standard colors include blue, green, amber, red, and white, at 470, 530, 590, and 630 nm (19, 21, 23, and 25 µin), respectively. Typical brightness from the Red Shark is 55 lumens. All models incorporate 50 LED Die mounted to a BeO substrate attached to a TO-66 power package. The advanced thermal packaging allows the Shark Series to run at high currents and also ensures extended reliability; they can be operated in continuous or pulse mode illumination.
Oldham couplings
Paradrive oldham couplings from Ruland are used for motion-control applications. The couplings are comprised of two aluminum hubs with drive tenons that mate with a floating center member. This design allows for easy sliding to accommodate misalignment. The replaceable center disks are available in two materials to suit different applications. Nylon disks dampen vibrations and reduce noise; acetal disks are designed for precision applications. The couplings accommodate angular and axial misalignment and are useful in applications where parallel misalignment is a problem.
Glass fabrication
Andrews Glass produces components used in lasers, infrared systems, semiconductors, photo-multipliers, and other products requiring precision glass fabrication. Materials used include several types of glass, kovar, and ceramics. Specialized operations, such as sealing faceplates or metal rings to various fabricated vacuum tubes for use in electron envelopes, are performed per customer specifications.
Multi-wing fans
Crowley Co.'s Multi-Wing X Series fans have a twisted airfoil-blade-profile design that attains high air volume, low power consumption, and low noise. The fans' injection-molded engineered thermoplastic blades and die cast aluminum hubs are one-third the weight of a similar steel fan—resulting in less wear and stress on motors and bearings. Configurations are available with 3 to 10 blades and pitch angles from 25 to 50°. Crowley Co. offers a selection of Multi-Wing systems for air-moving applications in HVAC, industrial motors, air-cooled condensers, generators, compressors, and locomotives.
