My experience from working with t-slotted materials is that in the long run, they just make things more complicated, and actually take more time to complete an assembly. If you have a good drawing and the right tools, standard materials are the way to go. T-slotted structures have their place...
Fiberglass is a non-conductor, and it is available in standard structural shapes. T-slots would not work well in fiberglass, but it is relatively easy to fabricate using standard methods (drilled holes, aluminum fillet plates, fasteners, etc.)...
OP,
Look at the option of LOW HEAD socket head cap screws. I have used them in many applications. They eliminate the need for countersunk screws, which ALWAYS cause problems. From McMaster:
All possible. None impossible. Every cutting method has its own issues as far as edge quality, but since both are based on simple x,y motions, the geometry is feasible.
I say again:
"Talk to the gearbox manufacturer and learn their recommended mounting method."
I do not understand the hesitance of today's young engineers to pick up the phone and talk to a live person at a manufacturer's office. They have Application Engineers there. Those guys have ONE JOB -...
My concern is alignment. There is no way your two mounting points will be in perfect alignment. You are placing your gearbox in a bind.
Talk to the gearbox manufacturer and learn their recommended mounting method.
I've used helicoils for similar applications for years.
Key locking inserts are a step up and work really well.
Both are available as stainless steel if that is an issue.
I think you will find that bends created on press brakes will be much straighter than bends created in a rolling action (like on continuous gutters). If the entire bend can fit within the physical limits of a press brake, it should produce "straighter" results than rolling.
I agree with above comments. I think you have the rotational freedom you're after but... friction from the thrust load created by the weight of the components will be a problem. You need thrust bearings/washers in strategic locations to carry the weight without creating a lot of friction.
As a major user - I agree with all the above!!!
I don't mind a new format, a new look, etc - as long as the same information is displayed. Such as the ability to tell at a glance which threads have new posts since my last visit. Also I really appreciated the list of other forums that used to...
If I understand your image clearly, you've got a couple basic mistakes happening here.
First, what do you mean by "doesn't feel right"? Huh? How much less descriptive could you be? You're an engineer, express yourself in terms engineers will understand.
Second, the obvious intent of the...
How many times have I given this very same advice?!?!
The manufacturer you're interested in has application engineers that are experts in everything about their products. Use their experience and knowledge. They can't put EVERYTHING you would ever want to know on their website.
Pick up the...
Again - how do I say this nicely?
You are over-thinking this WAY TOO MUCH! First - if the actual loads on opposite sides of the wheel are truly unequal, you know that will result in angular displacement. The wheel axis will not remain horizontal. It will rotate about the rail contact point...
How do I say this nicely? I doubt your premise. According to your diagram above, the left side of the top plate is completely unsupported. I doubt it.
I'm guessing you actually have four casters in the system. There are two rails, right? And two casters on each rail, right? And those...
