Lesson 8 The reading module

Read the text: Hephaist Spherical Rolling Joints

Rolling Guide with Zero Clearance has Realised High Rigidity and High Precision

Joints with multiple degrees of freedom essential to parallel mechanism have conventionally been 2-3 degrees of freedom by combining rotational joints. However, use of these joints have been characterised by increasing the size due to complex structure. Sliding spherical joints with multiple degrees of freedom have also been available, although they have had large frictional resistance and inner clearance. In order to resolve these problems, the Spherical Rolling Joints have been developed. These units provide high precision and rigidity for rzeo clearance three degree of freedom rolling guide ways. Joints are available worldwide from Heason Technology Ltd., the exclusive UK distributor and global sales office. The spherical rolling joints (SRJ) are available in eight sizes and two precision grades. Standard precision grade has a run-out less than +/-2mm. Super precision class have a run-out less than +/-1mm. The smallest SRJ has a 6.35mm diameter sphere in a housing of just 19mm diameter with a load capacity of 128N through to the largest SRJ with a 76.2mm diameter sphere in a 136mm diameter with a load capacity of 16KN. Maximum swing angles are up to 40 degrees. High Precision

The movable part has less frictional resistance due to its rolling joint structure under preload, achieving high precision with zero clearance. Downsizing of Joints with Multiple Degrees of Freedom

Compared with those combining rolling bearings with 3 degrees of freedom, higher rigidity and small sizing has been achieved. Application to Parallel Mechanism Optimal for achieving high precision, high rigidity and small size in parallel mechanisms. Superfine Inner Spherical Machining Technology Realised with superfine inner spherical machining technology.

ECD Ovonics Services

ECD Ovonics is a technology, product development and manufacturing company engaged in the invention, engineering, development and commercialization of new materials, products and production technology in the fields of alternative energy technology and information technology.

In support of these activities, we are engaged in research and development, production of our proprietary materials and products, as well as in designing and building production machinery.

Production Technology and Machine Building Division

Our Production Technology and Machine Building Division has extensive experience in designing and building proprietary automated production equipment. It has designed and built for us and certain of our licensees multiple generations of photovoltaic production lines, including United Solar Ovonic's existing 25MW solar manufacturing machinery and equipment and the roll-to-roll solar-cell deposition equipment, as well as its second state-of-the-art thin-film solar panel manufacturing facility, which is expected to begin manufacturing products in the fall of 2006.

This division has also designed and built research-, development-, and manufacturing-related equipment for high-rate microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) and other materials technology.

I. Reading Exercises:

Exercise 1. Read and memorize using a dictionary:

Multiple degrees of freedom, rotational joints, inner clearance, high precision, distributor, sphere, movable part, structure, application, in support

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1) What do these units provide?

2) What part has less frictional resistance ?

3) How many degrees are maximum swing angles up to?

4) For what has this division also designed and built research-, development-, and manufacturing-related equipment?

5) When is its second state-of-the-art thin-film solar panel manufacturing facility expected to begin manufacturing products?

Exercise 3. Match the left part with the right:

1. The movable part has	a) a run-out less than +/-2mm.
2. Standard precision grade has	b) less frictional resistance due to its rolling joint structure under preload, achieving high precision with zero clearance.
3. Maximum swing angles are	c) a technology, product development and manufacturing company.
4. ECD Ovonics is	d) up to 40 degrees.

Exercise 4. Open brackets choosing the right words:

ECD Ovonics( is/has) a technology, product development and manufacturing company( engaged/developed) in the invention, engineering, development and commercialization of( new/defective) materials, products and production technology in the fields of alternative energy technology and information technology.