Mechanical components, an important segment in the engineering and scientific industry includes all those parts that are used in the assemble of mechanical system. They include a wide range of devices and equipments that are designed to handle, induce, or drive mechanical systems. Mechanical components are used in almost every application that requires the ability to function on their own.

Types of Mechanical Components

The mechanic components industry comprise of various individual devices that together form to function as a single unit. Some of the most common ones are -

Bearings and Bushings – While bearings are those mechanical equipments that are used to provide load support and reduce friction and carry loads for rotary or linear motion, bushings are cylindrical lining designed to reduce friction and wear inside a hole, or constrict and restrain motion of mechanical parts.

Belts and Pulleys – These two types of mechanical components are used widely in the transmission and drive systems. They are used to transmit rotary motion and or change the input to output speed ratios.

Clutches – Clutches are a kind of drive components that are used to transmit and control power and relative motion between two rotating shafts. Their examples include Automatic Clutches, Automotive Clutches, Electric Clutches, Hydraulic Clutches, Industrial Clutches, Mechanical Clutches, Pneumatic Clutches and Torque Limiters.

Gears – Gears too are an indispensable components of the mechanical equipments industry. They include all power transmission gear types and reducers, geometry and materials, including English and metric designs.

Mechanical Fasteners – This segment includes all the screws and bolts that perform the function of holding a machine in place by force. Screws, rivets, bolts, nuts, and clips are some of the most commonly used components that secure one part of the machine to another.

Power Transmission Components – All those classifications of mechanical components that are used to secure shafts or transmit power throughout drive systems, for example gears, lock nuts, and other couplings are known as power components.

Besides these, there are many other types of mechanical components that need to be mentioned. They are – Springs, Solenoids, Shock Vibration Control Products, Seals, Pulleys Belts, Mechanical Fasteners Hardware, Limit Switches, Industrial Tools, Gaging Shop Tools, Dampers, Couplings, Chain Sprockets, Brakes and Bellows.

Industry Growth

Although it may have come to notice that the electrical components has wiped off the mechanical components industry to a certain extent but however, there are many who will disagrees. While the advantages of conventional mechanical components holds a vital position in the automobile industry of US. The fastener industry alone absorbs around 40,000 employees and is operational in 350 manufacturing facilities. With around 8% annual growth in the mechanical components industry, it is surely not going downsized. Though the on going recession does have had a severe impact on the mechanical components market, the total value of the U.S. mechanical components market is estimated to be $8.46 billion and is sure to grow beyond imagination.

Applications

Mechanical components find their uses everywhere there is a machine. Be it gear or clutches, fasteners or nut and bolts they are widely used in the automobile industry all over the world. Today their scope of application have expanded to cleaning purposes as well. Mechanical components also find a very important place in Sugar industry, oil industry, food industry, milk dairies, chemicals industry, distilleries and other process industries.

Major Market Players

In the global mechanical components industry as well US is the major market. Maintaining an average growth rate of 8% the total value of the U.S. mechanical components market for 2000 is estimated to be $8.46 billion. China too is becoming a a major global component production base for mechanical components with annual sales expected to reach 7.0 million units in 2010 and 8.9 million units in 2015. By the end of 2010, China is being predicted to become the world's third largest manufacturer as well as supplier of mechanical components.

Mechanical Components Publications

On line Mechanical Magazine – Having a circulation of more than 170,000, this magazine covers the latest tools, components, and materials used in mechanical and electromechanical design & magazines of a broad range of products. This is a successful engineering publication that features successful engineering projects and new technologies.

Advances in Production Engineering & Management - Published under the banner of Production Engineering Institute (PEI), of Faculty of mechanical engineering of University of Maribor, this scientific publication present high quality research developments in all areas of production engineering and production management, as well as their applications in industry and services, to a broader audience of academics and practitioners.

Mechanical Components Associations

Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City – The Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Kansas City area union mechanical contractors who service and install plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, process piping, and refrigeration units. The Association’s members include both large contractors who work from coast-to-coast and small, specialized contractors who work on a local and regional level. The organization believes its strength rests in the diversity of the membership base.

American Bearing Manufacturers Association – The American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is a non-profit association consisting of American manufacturers of anti-friction bearings, spherical plain bearings or major components. The main aim of this organization is to define national and international standards for bearing products and maintain bearing industry statistics.

British Gear Association - The British Gear Association (BGA) is a trade association that promotes the technical and commercial interests of manufacturers, distributors, academics and others involved in the Power Transmissions industry in the United Kingdom. The Association speaks with authority on behalf of the industry both nationally and internationally and its ability to help companies and individuals involved in the industry is widely recognized by government, the media and industry.