Why did we write a textbook on linear drive technology?
The question is valid: How does a medium-sized company come up with the idea to write its own textbook? Not just any textbook, but one specifically on the fundamentals of linear drive technology. Or to put it another way: What does the reader gain from such a textbook? This is a question that many of our customers often ask.
The answer is quite simple. Gerhard Pfeil, shareholder of the company, explains:
"In the past, we repeatedly heard from engineers who started with us that during their studies, they couldn't find a textbook that comprehensively covered the topic of linear drive technology. While there are sections on Screw Jacks, Spindle Systems, or Electric Linear Actuators in various textbooks, nowhere are these pieces of information consolidated in a compact form." Gerhard Pfeil continues: "Therefore, we made the decision to write our own textbook. In doing so, we provide an important resource for customers, users, designers, and students who want to delve deeper into the field of linear drive technology."
The making of our technical book
Typically, it's common to have a professional author write a textbook. However, when it comes to a specialized field like this, finding an author who is deeply knowledgeable can be challenging. Given our pragmatic approach as a medium-sized company, it made sense for us to write the textbook ourselves.
And so began the story of the first textbook by GROB GmbH Drive Technology. Who better to write a textbook than our own employees who deal with this topic in detail every day? Leading the effort as authors were Philipp Schmalzhaf, now our Sales Director, and Ruben Disterheft, another sales engineer—both of whom completed their dual training as industrial engineers at GROB. They were supported by a former head of engineering who had extensive experience in the field.
The authors quickly realized that writing a textbook alongside their regular duties was no easy task. "It pushed us to our limits to balance writing a textbook with our day-to-day responsibilities and not lose sight of things," says Philipp Schmalzhaf, who unexpectedly found himself as an author while serving as Deputy Sales Director. "Becoming an author was not my plan, but now I'm glad we tackled this challenge. What helped us as a team of authors was putting ourselves in the shoes of our customers and describing the information that is relevant from their perspective in a clear and understandable way."
We're especially pleased to have partnered with the prestigious Springer publishing house for this textbook. Additionally, landing a direct entry in the German National Library's catalog (Catalog of the German National Library) with this textbook was a pleasant surprise for us.
Who is this textbook intended for?
It's clear: When someone buys a textbook, they're not seeking entertainment but rather want to expand their knowledge in a specific field—in this case, linear drive technology. And who deals daily with Screw Jacks, Drive Technology, and Electric Cylinders? From our perspective, there are at least two target audiences who'll benefit from this textbook:
Design Engineers
Naturally, design engineers from planning offices and engineering departments who are tasked with creating innovative technical solutions for lifting or conveying challenges. They need technical information and practical calculation fundamentals to engineer lifting systems. It's helpful for them to benefit from practical tips, which are plentiful in the textbook. By the way, you can learn more about what designers wish for in this article.
Students in technical disciplines
While students can read extensively about individual topics such as dynamics, kinematics, statics, or machine elements in technical literature, this 'Handbook of Electromechanical Linear Drive Technology' provides everything compactly and at a glance, eliminating the need to search through various textbooks. This significantly eases the introduction to this subject for students.
What is this book actually about?
It focuses on the topic of linear drive technology. Across nearly 160 pages divided into 10 chapters, the reader gains a comprehensive introduction to these subjects:
- Components of electromechanical linear drive technology
- Motion Spindles and Nuts
- Standard Screw Jacks
- Spindle Screw Jacks
- Electric Linear Actuators
- High-Performance Screw Jacks
- High-Speed Screw Jacks
- Bevel gearbox
- Connecting Shafts and Couplings
- Electric Linear Cylinders and Drive Motors
The reader is swiftly and comprehensibly introduced to the topic, learning how to roughly calculate and correctly size Screw Jacks, Systems, and Drive Technology Components. With clear illustrations, visualizations, practical examples, and test results drawn from years of experience, the textbook is designed for clarity and ease of understanding.
Our Conclusion
This handbook provides engineers from design and planning departments with a clear framework for evaluating and dimensioning linear drive components, along with fundamental technical and scientific explanations of the physical processes involved in electromechanical drive technology. It includes formulas for dimensioning Screw Jacks and Systems, tables for parameter selection, and empirical data to aid in proper sizing of drive components. Additionally, the handbook features clear illustrations, visualizations, practical examples, and test results drawn from extensive experience. It's rooted not only in GROB's technical information and corporate policies but also addresses broader issues in materials, environmental, and process engineering within the context of physical principles and dimensioning criteria.
