Hi all! Newbie here. How do you attach a shaft to an Actobotics bearing? Specifically, I bought a 3/8" aluminum rod from the hardware store, and wish to attach it to the RB-Sct-370 bearing.
Thanks
The bearing itself would ideally be set in place, and you would use lock collars to keep the shaft in place.
We currently do not have any 3/8" lock collars, but this will give you an idea what they look like:
robotshop.com/en/vex-shaft-collar-16pk.html
Thanks for the quick reply. The lock collars only prevent the shaft from sliding horizontally through the bearing, right?
My main concern is how does the shaft is locked “inside” the bearing so that it rolls WITH the bearing instead of rolling IN the bearing.
Does the rod fits tightly in the bearing inner ring so that I don’t have to weld or attach them together? I see that most industrial pillow blocks have a little collar that extends beyond the bearing, to allow a small screw to attach the shaft to the bearing. I don’t see that on Actorobotics’.
Thank you
The shaft’s diameter needs to be such that there is minimal play between it and the inner bearing.
From experience, do you believe a standard 3/8" aluminum rod from an hardware store would be fine, or do I need to buy the Actobotics precision shaft?
Thanks for you help
Shafts are usually made of steel or perhaps brass. Why do you have aluminum?
Shafts spinning in the inner race of a bearing is not usually a problem. A good drill rod shaft (steel) will fit very closely. You could put a dimple in the shaft with a center punch to increase the friction.
What is riding on the bearing? Will it have lateral play? Shaft collars as mentioned, or spacers between a pair of bearings might be helpful. Simple tubing would work here. Aluminum would be OK, as it does not support a load.
Alan KM6VV
Hi Alan, I chose aluminum because it’s lightweight, doesn’t rust and seemed stiff enough for my application. I know nothing about engineering though.
I’m building a small and slow belt conveyor. It will not convey much weight and endure much tension.
The two rollers will be made of the aluminum shaft and some tubing of proper diameter.
It will basically look like this (this is an old draft, I’ve since added a tension mecanism).
looks like you want to press bearings into the uprights, and have either collars or C-rings to keep the shaft from sliding side to side. A pulley on one side could also secure the shaft.
The belt runs on rollers or tubing that is secured to the shaft. You’ll want to tension one end of the belt.
Alan KM6VV