This issue of Evolution focuses on the machine tool industry – a worldwide business that has always been driven by the search for higher speed and accuracy. As our articles on the topic show, flexibility and compatibility should now be added to the list.

     My own experience in trying to work in different sorts of metal dates from the early 1970s, when my father-in-law – at the time a retired naval officer – tried to teach me the basics of machine tools. In his cellar he had a lot of old equipment such as lathes and honing machines. With these we built and repaired different articles to be used around the house.

     I still remember how he used to slap my hands when I tried to get rid of the chips without using work gloves. The reason for this was something that happened when he was chief engineer on a steamship sailing in the Atlantic: A young sailor got a steel chip in his finger and died of blood poisoning. Ever since, my father-in-law feared a repeat of that horrible incident.

     Such things are not likely to happen with the modern machine tools we describe in this issue of Evolution – or the high-quality equipment from SKF’s own specialist, Lidköping Machine Tools. Read more about them in the article “Better flexibility in precision grinding.”

     In this issue you can also read about the Zeppelin airship. But it’s not a story about vintage air travel. Instead, it’s about the high-tech descendant of old-time airships, the Zeppelin NT, a design that offers many interesting possibilities in today’s world of aviation.

     I hope you find Evolution a pleasant reading experience. If you have questions on products, applications, services, or if you require additional copies of the magazine for your colleagues, please contact your SKF dealer or distributor.

     And take a look at our online archive of articles. It may contain just the information you need to find the best bearing solution for the design you are working on.
Janerik Dimming  

Editor-in-chief