Rotary Power Transmission

5. Find real system elements

The identification of real elements which meet the system requirements is not easy since they are normally accessed through a knowledge of which manufacturer makes them rather than their characteristics. At present the following methods may be used to identify real elements, starting with the most sophisticated and reliable:

Technical Indexes: use microfilm to index a wide range of components and units, showing manufacturers' literature. It is comprehensive in its most complete form and is regularly up-dated. It is operated by Technical Indexes of Bracknell, Berks. UK. and a similar service is offered by a sister company in the USA.

Trade Directories & Buyers' Guides: are published by the technical press and for associations such as the Institution of Engineering Designers. They list classified products and manufacturers under product headings. The international Kompass directory gives more detailed information on the products manufactured by using a matrix display of products and suppliers. One disadvantage with trade directories is that they are up-dated relatively infrequently.

Index cards: are published by advertising bodies and circulated to designers. The intention is that the designer compiles a card library for future reference. They can be a convenient reference but accumulate at a very slow rate.

Scanning back issues: of journals for advertisements or product reviews. Asking colleagues.

Acknowledgement: The author wishes to thank colleagues in the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Southampton, particularly Mr Paul Vedamuttu for assisting with the tables and checking the manuscript.