It ran fine. Maple is a good bearing material and this is located in a woodworking plant! When maple is soaked in oil the oil wicks to the surface and provides continuous lubrication. I suspect that aluminum running on the threaded surface would quickly be wiped clean of lube.Did the maple run well in the steady?
In building wooden casework (boxes/cabinets) they need to be clamped quickly, uniformly and square. Our case clamp does that by having alternating beams that pass through each other so the force is applied in both directions at the same time. The beam sets are powered by electric motors that are controlled by a PLC. As the beams approach the case, laser sensors detect the case and slow the motors so they both reach the case at the same time. When the programed pressure is reached the motors shut off and hold the work until the timer releases and backs the beams away allowing the case to be pushed on through and the next one pushed in. We use a cycle time of 3 minutes. Dowel construction.what's a case clamp?
once you told me where it was, I kinda figured that out. I didn't know this was a ww plant. I had no idea about the aircraft carriers using wooden bearings. pretty cool. I thought they ran in bronze bearings and packing. I guess that's naïve.In building wooden casework (boxes/cabinets) they need to be clamped quickly, uniformly and square. Our case clamp does that by having alternating beams that pass through each other so the force is applied in both directions at the same time. The beam sets are powered by electric motors that are controlled by a PLC. As the beams approach the case, laser sensors detect the case and slow the motors so they both reach the case at the same time. When the programed pressure is reached the motors shut off and hold the work until the timer releases and backs the beams away allowing the case to be pushed on through and the next one pushed in. We use a cycle time of 3 minutes. Dowel construction.
Yes, Lignum Vitae was used as shaft bearings. Also Olneya tesota, Arizona Ironwood was used as well. World War II essentially denuded the state of all examples of that species of tree which were of any reasonable size. Although Lignum Vitae was denser, Ironwood had the advantage of being domestically sourced during a time of war. Both woods are so dense, that they sink when placed in water.I think the wood used on the carrier bearings was lignum vitae.