Connectors add to profile system's versatility
A
MK Profile Systems product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 21, 2006
Two new low-cost versatile connectors are available for the comprehensive 40 series profile system.
Not very often does a product come along that is strong, more versatile, better aesthetically, easier to use and all this at a lower cost than the previous model, but MK reckons it has done just that with the new tension connectors for its 40 series profile.
The choice of connector when making any framework from aluminium extrusion is based on many factors such as strength, appearance, application, environment and cost.
Because profile systems are used in many different applications, there are many choices of connecting element available.
Most connecting systems involve machining or adapting the profile in some way, be it milling, drilling or tapping one or both of the profiles to be connected.
Some manufacturers offer connections that can be used "without machining", but often it is still necessary in reality to tap, insert or thread form profiles to achieve the connection.
Faced with tapping a profile and drilling it with a purpose made drill fixture, MK believes that the drilling option is easier, faster and less open to error, as long as it can be done without heavy fixed machinery.
There are two new versions of the connector, one for the standard and light profile versions, and another for the new extra light low cost profiles, commonly used in more simple applications such as machine guarding.
There are several key features to these new connectors.
The tension bolt part of the connector has parallel faces machined on either side.
This has two significant benefits.
One is that the connecting profiles cannot rotate once the connector is tightened.
Another is that a new profile can be added to an existing framework: just prefit the connector, slide it in the slot of the existing frame, rotate 90 degrees and tighten.
The connector is fitted with two rubber spacers.
On the connector barrel, the spacer locates the barrel in the correct position to accept the tension bolt.
The other spacer raises the head of the tension bolt for the connecting process.
The new connector also uses the same 10mm diameter hole that its predecessor used.
This means that existing users do not need to retool.
This 10mm drilling is so simple with the special low cost drill fixture available from MK that it can be done with a hand drill.
Many other connectors require heavy drilling or milling machines for this process.
The final benefit of the new connector is that once tightened, all slots remain fully useable.
It can be fitted in such a way that it does not interfere with infill materials, can avoid the need to notch infill panels and can also be completely covered where the connector needs to be hidden, for example in clean room applications.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact MK Profile Systems
Related Stories
- Hepcomotion to attend Offshore Europe 2009
- Gast awards Drallim service centre accreditation
- Procter provides free guide to workshop safety
- AGL-5 enhances safety for airfield ground-lighting
- Edbro introduces C Series cylinder range
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,530)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,185)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (201)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (370)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (916)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (311)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (569)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,368)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (412)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,277)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (498)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,064)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,031)
- Plantwide control (1,325)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,175)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (807)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,464)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (704)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (441)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (501)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,224)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,169)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (558)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (680)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (422)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (800)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (370)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,966)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,218)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,094)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (434)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,605)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (942)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,442)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (421)
-
Capital Equipment (3,390)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (511)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,094)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (931)
-
Sensors (7,091)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (703)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (400)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (702)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (285)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (153)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,386)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,629)
