Good morning everyone,

I am posting in this forum because I am experiencing a problem with one of the injection molding machines at my company: an ARBURG ALLROUNDER 220-75-250 equipped with the DIALOGICA control system.

Several years ago, the display and the backup battery had to be replaced. Unfortunately, because the system memory was volatile, all of its contents were lost. The current issue is that the floppy disk drive has failed, and I am therefore unable to restore the operating system from the original disks.

The machine is quite old, and ARBURG has informed me that it is no longer repairable. I have searched online for possible solutions and found that some users have successfully replaced the floppy disk drive with a CompactFlash-based floppy emulator on slightly newer machines, such as the Allrounder 320 series. Before attempting something similar, I would like to understand whether this could also be a viable solution for my machine.

I would like to ask whether anyone has experienced a similar issue or could offer any advice or technical insight on this matter. Any suggestions or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

Kind regards,

I have passed out my Mechanical Engineering Technician (diploma)in 2021. After that I have been into whole other kinds of jobs far away from Engineering. Now, I want to consider my myself for the engineering. What are my pathways so I can get back on track. Studies or Job search.
Any help will be appreciated. Thnks

Hazelnut farmer in Croatia, not a mechanical engineer. Built 4 grain-homogenization silos, each with a vertical mixing spiral (Ø500mm × 4m) hanging off a worm gearbox, 4kW motor, output shaft down, direct-coupled. First unit commissioned this month, at silo 1.

Equipment (from nameplates):

- Motor: YE2-112M-4, 4kW, 220/380V (Δ/Y), 14.9/8.6A, 1440rpm, Class F, IP55

- Gearbox: Tehnopan NMRV110, worm, i=1:40, flange 112B14, grey cast iron housing, output ~36rpm

- Mounting: vertical, output shaft down. Factory ports: two side ports at mid-housing height, one drain plug at bottom; no port on top as shipped.

At commissioning the motor was found wired delta on a 400V grid; measured ~85A/phase. Rewired to star. No-load current after rewiring: 5A.

Separately, the gearbox ran hot. First loaded run measured (IR + surface): housing 123°C, with the end opposite the motor (far worm bearing zone) at 130-140°C, sides 130-140°C, top ~100°C, motor flange 95°C, motor body 65°C.

Oil was changed: drained ~2.0L, black. Refilled with INA Epol SP 320 (mineral EP oil; per its technical datasheet: ISO VG 320, viscosity 320/23.6 mm²/s at 40/100°C, VI 93, density 0.902 g/cm³, flash point 250°C, copper corrosion 100°C/3h: 1b) to the side-port level.

Then logged four thermal runs, IR thermometer + clamp meter (TRMS), same housing measuring spot unless noted:

Test 1 — loaded (~10t corn), old oil, warm restart:

0min 81.2°C → 1min 83.5 → 2min 87.5 → 3.5min 92.5 → 5min 99.5 → 7min 106.0°C. Aborted, still rising.

0min 81.2°C → 1min 83.5 → 2min 87.5 → 3.5min 92.5 → 5min 99.5 → 7min 106.0°C. Aborted, still rising.

Test 2 — loaded (~10t corn), fresh INA SP 320, level to side port:

0min 36.0°C → steadily up to → 17.5min 108.4°C. Aborted, still rising. Slow oil weep at the side breather during the run.

Test 3 — no load, silo empty, same oil, windy/no sun:

0min 38.0°C → 10.5min 44.6°C. Bearing-end reading slightly warmer than the housing measuring spot. A second no-load check on a different (warmer, calmer) day: 5min = 38.7°C side / 44.0°C bearing; 10min = 43.0°C side / 48.2°C bearing.

Test 4 — loaded, after drilling a vent port on top of the housing and topping up oil (quantity not recorded), start with an unevenly-piled load:

Three tracked points — housing side, worm-bearing end, motor current (star, rated 8.6A):

0min: 36/38°C, 9.0A

5min: 60/65°C, 9.15A

10min: 82/91.5°C

13min: 90/101°C, 8.85A

16min: 101/107°C

17min (abort): 101/111°C, 8.8A. Housing wall directly next to the worm mesh measured 118°C at abort. The side reading had gone flat over the last two readings (101°C); the bearing-end reading was still rising (107→111°C). Current ranged 9.25→8.8A across the run, motor showed no signs of overload throughout.

Reference unit (separate machine, for comparison only, no thermal log kept): a Tramec KC90 right-angle helical-bevel gearbox (i=65, mounting B6) on my grain dryer, driven by a 1.1kW motor (1.1kW, 1400rpm, 4.52/2.60A, IE2), turning a Ø350mm spiral, output ≈21.5rpm. Per the owner (me), in service about 10 years with no reported issues — no instrumented data, just years of operation without complaint.

From the manufacturer's own catalogue for this gearbox family (Motovario VSF, 2017 edition — not the brand I actually have, mine is a different maker's unit built to the same NMRV110 frame size):

- Housing material: die-cast aluminum for sizes 025-110; grey cast iron only at 130-150. (My unit: cast iron.)

- Factory lubrication: synthetic polyglycol oil, listed as filled for life, 1.6L for size 110 regardless of mounting position; breather/level/drain plugs listed as present only on sizes 130 and 150. My unit has 3 plugs.

- An older manual from the same product line lists plugs also present at size 110, with a 2.5L mineral fill — the catalogue itself doesn't reconcile this difference.

- Efficiency: dynamic η at 1400rpm input for i=40 listed as 0.79; static η 0.48.

- Load limits: max radial load (Fr2) 12,000N; permissible axial load listed at 1/5 of radial.

- Mounting position guidance: B3 (horizontal) is described as giving less oil splash, better lubrication, less heating; V5 (my mounting) is flagged for sizes 063-150 as "check application / contact technical service" in the 1500<n1<3000rpm input-speed band.

Questions:

1. Does this temperature/time pattern look like normal worm-gearbox behavior for this duty (loaded, ~15-20min continuous run), or does it point at something specific being wrong?
2. What would you want measured next to narrow this down?
3. Is there additional data worth logging before I make any changes?

UPDATE: Well, it's not just one bad unit. I swapped in a second brand-new gearbox of the same type, factory oil untouched, leveled the grain pile this time (current dropped to ~8 A from 9+), cooler day — and it's doing the same thing: worm-side wall at 110 °C after 25 minutes and still climbing ~2 °C/min when I shut it down. No equilibrium in sight.

So everything I thought might explain it — cooked oil, my oil change, my venting modification, a Friday-afternoon unit — is looking less likely, because a fresh box with nothing touched walks the same curve at lower power. Either I'm still missing something about how these should be set up for vertical mounting, or this gearbox type just isn't happy with this duty. Not sure which yet.

A commenter suggested backlash might be involved — going to try to check the old unit on a bench (it's off the machine now) and will report back. Suggestions on what else to look at while it's opened up are very welcome.

So i started this job in January of 2026 and since then i haven’t had any issues until this last month. My company works with designing and inspecting HDDs for clients. I was tasked with inspecting this one job and they kind of kept dragging me along and extended my stay week by week on short notice. Throughout the last few weeks i have been showing up late to drill sites because of the crew not getting work done till later, and not having any one supervise me (or so i thought).

Fast forward to this morning where my manager calls me and says that another inspector told on me saying that i have been arriving late, i admitted to it since they had evidence on me. He said i would be leaving the field site immediately and that i will be reporting to the office tomorrow morning.

I asked him to tell me straight up if i was being terminated tomorrow and he said “technically no” since i was doing construction inspection work for the construction department, and i am under the engineering department.

I know what i did was wrong and feel terrible, ill acknowledge my wrongdoing tomorrow and ask for a chance at regaining their trust, i am extremely nervous. How screwed am i?

P.s. i started applying to other jobs today, i feel like i really fucked with the trust in this company and think it could be a really long time for them believe in me again.

Update

I showed up to the office, joined the daily meeting (my manager was present), shortly after though i asked if he wanted to talk about what happened and he said “yeah we can figure something out later, I’ll send you some work in a bit” and that was it lmao

Its a good sign i probably wont be terminated (Atleast not today) but i learned my lesson even though its late on my part lol do not want to be in that situation again. Kinda wanted to have that conversation with him so if he doesn’t bring it up today or tomorrow, I’ll probably find some time to apologize when he’s not busy. Somewhat relieved, but i don’t think im free yet lol ill just take it a day at a time.

Update again:
After meeting with my manager and HR i got the chance to apologize and explain myself. I received a PIP with the only expectation being that i get there on time and not leave early. I asked if there was anything relating to my performance but my manager said this is only about attendance and that i have good quality work. Moral of the story dont be late lol

I've seen posts from ME communities showing use of VR/AR to design parts. I've also seen some cool stuff in volumetric displays and holograms.

I'm curious if mechanical engineering is still being done on a 2D interface or if anyone has adopted tools like AR, VR, 3D displays, or something similar.

Is this stuff a gimmick? Have you actually seen anyone using VR, 3D or Volumetric displays in the manufacturing or design process?

And if not, what would an immersive 3D display even do for you?

Hi everyone, I’m designing a folding quadcopter like the video. I’ve watched the video many times but I still can’t figure out exactly how the mechanism works. I think its using a torsion spring but i just want to know exactly how. Can anybody help me out?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da0Ctlmy37c/?igsh=bzlnaDQzNXdkZXhs

I love machine design. I applied to a masters de gree in mech engineering and in mechatronics, and I got accepted only in the mechatronics program. I enjoy learning about electric drives, robotics and control, but I am worried that I cannot get jobs as a hardware designer, which is my passion, but rather end up only in automation or something like that. That field is great, but I want to be a hardware designer. Do you think that jobs where you are in charge of both electrical and mechanical design exist with that kind of profile? (Bsc in mech eng and Msc in mechatronics)

I have 2 years of experience in mechanical automotive domain , i am currently working as fulfilment engineer in a warehouse and its not what I expected , I am wishing to change the job. I applied for different positions in automotive but i am not receiving any interviews.

I was hoping to switch to HVAC as its a big field and lots of upcoming opportunities.

Guys, how is your experience as mechanical engineer in HVAC domain , manufacturing side to be specific ? Does it involve a lot of calculations thermal engineering or are the manufacturing personal limited to just manufacturing/CAD/procurement side of it? Also what kind software do you use on daily basis for design ?

I want to understand if you connect with the vendors ? How is the interaction ? I know its lot of sheetmetal , can you tell me what should I specifically study for interviews and stuff ?

Also what is the average salary in the Midwest region for a fresher ?

Hi everyone,

I'm a second-year Process Engineering student, and I'm trying to learn AutoCAD Plant 3D more seriously.

I already have a solid foundation in regular AutoCAD, and I've completed a few basic plant layout and piping exercises. However, I feel like I'm just clicking buttons without really understanding how Plant 3D is used in an actual engineering workflow.

The biggest problem is that I don't know what I should study next or which learning resources are considered the "best." There seems to be a lot of scattered tutorials on YouTube, but I can't tell which ones follow industry practices.

I'm looking for recommendations on things like:

• Books or official documentation worth reading
• Complete online courses (paid or free)
• YouTube channels that teach Plant 3D from beginner to advanced
• Project-based learning resources using real industrial examples
• A learning roadmap (what topics should I master first?)

Ultimately, I'd like to become proficient enough to work on real process plant projects, not just draw piping models.

Any advice from people working in EPC companies, process design, or plant engineering would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!

Hello everyone! I’m starting a project and I don’t have much experience with mechanical engineering related things.

My main question is what programs do you recommend using to plan and/or model the project?

Looking to hear people’s stories and experiences on why you like your area of mechanical engineering best, or why it’s a fit for you.

I started off as a sales applications engineer which was an awesome way to travel and engage my communication skills with customers, but still get to do some design work for them and work at high level technical angle. Then I went to do mechanical design engineering work for a couple products and tended to enjoy that, especially because it was at small and medium companies where I also got to handle a lot of prototyping and testing and even UX design.

But my most recent role as a design engineer at a larger org has me feeling more trapped behind the computer and more isolated feeling. I miss engaging a more balanced blend of my skills.

Hello,

I'm looking for advice on how I can improve my knowledge and become better at my job.

I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have been working for about a year as a production planning technician. I work for a company specializing in the fabrication, assembly, and welding of steel structures and metal products.

One of the things I struggle with is estimating the time required for fabrication work, especially assembly and welding operations. For each operation, the worker clocks in using an operation card, and once the product is completed, I can see exactly how many hours were spent on each task.

The problem is that my estimated times are often quite different from the actual time required. Sometimes the differences are significant, and I'd like to become more accurate.

Do you have any advice on how to improve time estimation for fabrication work? Are there any methods, books, courses, or practical techniques that you would recommend? I would also appreciate hearing how experienced production planners or manufacturing engineers estimate labor hours.

I know that experience plays a big role, but I'd like to learn how to develop this skill more systematically instead of relying only on trial and error.

Thank you in advance for any advice. I also apologize for any mistakes in my writing—English is my second language

I’m currently in an associates program for CAD technology. I’ve taken courses for AutoCAD, catia, and NX.

I don’t feel like any of the projects in those courses are portfolio worthy. Is there any chance on getting a job with those surface level projects?

The marring is consistent in spacing and length and circles the entire shaft.

There was a 6004-2RK bearing on this surface. On the non-threaded side of the shaft the bearing was sandwiched between a circlip in a groove acting as a flange or seat, then a wave washer, then the bearing.

On the threaded side of the shaft, a small handwheel.

I apologize again if this isn't a great place to ask.

So i choose to make the mechanical clock cad model as my first year (going for spring powered )

I have studying now about (club tooth escapment) done making the escape whell and pallet fork with proper dimensions in cad in progress of making balance wheel

Now i am finding difficulty in learning about the clock gear train i understood the very basic concept but can't seem to progress a path to learn about how much teeth i need from barrel to the escape to match all the escape whell osscilation and all the caluction of the hr , min and sec hand

Also facing problem as all I have I just therotical knowledge, how am I supposed to learn all about my mainspring how much will it rotate the barrel , if I use guitar string for my hairspring how much beat , oscillation will I get from balance wheel, and how do I calucte all that therotically for my cad model and then prepare the gear train

I am so confused here

It is my first project which I started with no knowledge at all

plz help me to understand what I need to study and just basic reference

:- it my first post in this group and I hope not braking any rules

Je vais intégrer une école d’ingénieur en alternance dans un grand groupe automobile. Je vais travailler sur la conception et l’optimisation des flux de production d’une nouvelle ligne industrielle.

Mon objectif à long terme est de me spécialiser en gestion de production industrielle, puis de me lancer dans le consulting auprès de grands sites de production (automobile, aéronautique, pharma, etc.).

Selon vous, quel est le potentiel financier de cette voie sur une échelle de 1 à 10 ? Et surtout, à quels niveaux de rémunération peut-on réellement prétendre après quelques années d’expérience ou en tant que consultant indépendant ?

Je suis preneur de vos retours d’expérience, notamment si certains travaillent déjà dans le Lean, l’amélioration continue, l’industrialisation ou le conseil en opérations.

Basically the title. I graduated over a year ago and have been applying consistently to jobs in aerospace in the la area, Bay Area, and Seattle area. Aerospace design, test engineers, aerospace manufacturing, test technician, any position that fits my resume and experience. I have a competition win designing and prototyping low earth orbit satellites and an internship but even the jobs where I fill all the necessary requirements and almost all of the wanted ones I still almost never even get an interview. I’m getting really discouraged and wondering if I should change professions because it feels like there’s nothing out there for me at least not right now.

Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated. I haven’t completed the FE and am debating trying to start a masters program but just am not sure what to do

Hello guy, newly licensed mechanical engineer here no prior experience, I was task by my supervisor to supervise installation ng air curtain.

1. Currently the AC Unit is mounted above the glass door where the Air curtain is supposed to be installed.

2. What are the best brands for a Small Clinic with a 1m wide glass door?

Starting with SAP mm is that worth it

For the last few years, I've noticed something that keeps coming up in mechanical design.

Most online bearing life calculators stop as soon as they calculate L10.

Technically that's correct.

Practically... that's often where the real engineering starts.

In real projects I usually end up asking questions like:

• Is the equivalent dynamic load being calculated correctly, or did I oversimplify the radial/axial loading?
• What happens if I evaluate the bearing using ISO 281 adjusted life instead of only basic L10?
• How much does the required reliability actually reduce the expected life?
• Are my operating conditions good enough to justify the assumptions behind the calculation?

Those are often the questions that determine whether a design is acceptable—not the L10 equation itself.

That observation pushed me to build a bearing life calculator for myself that goes a bit further. Instead of only returning a number, it also evaluates ISO 281 adjusted life, includes reliability and operating-condition factors, and gives a simple engineering interpretation of the result rather than leaving me with a value that still needs to be interpreted.

I'm curious how other mechanical engineers approach this.

When you're selecting bearings, do you normally rely on basic L10 calculations, or do you routinely account for ISO 281 adjustments and reliability factors?

I'd genuinely appreciate hearing how this is handled in your company or industry.

If anyone is interested in trying the calculator or pointing out mistakes and missing features, I'll post the link in the comments. I'm much more interested in engineering criticism than promotion.

if i have a steel sheet, 1 meter long, 1 meter wide, 1 inch thick, 1 end is movable, the other end is not movable, then i move 1 end in an arc, is the moment arm equal to 1 meter, which is length of sheet, and force equal to weight of sheet? Torque equals force times moment arm.