VEX pro bearings tolerances

[Mk.32]

Ah the fun games of tolerances...

Basically all the bearings you get will come dead nuts, IE 1.125 bearing will be 1.125 +/- .0005 at worse probably better. To do a proper pressfit, (ie you need a arbor press to install/remove the bearing) for the FRC sized bearings generally it's +.001 to .0015. Press-fits are precision operations.

In my experience laser/waterjet generally at best hold maybe +/- .005 consistently. So trying to achieve a pressfit, your luck may vary. It really depends on operator skill and then fine tuning of dimensions to the machine. Also you have to worry about burrs and tapers, which this type of cutting is infamous for.

Since I don't have constant access to a waterjet/metal cutting laser I generally CNC my gearbox plates and etc. To do it right you have to do test cut some pieces generally, and test your tool for wear and add some tool compensation. And worry about surface finish, deflection etc. Not that it's hard, but it takes a bit of practice.

If you are set on laser/waterjetting these, figure out what kind of quality you can get from them. If it is to poor just allow for a slipfit and design in some mechanical retention of the bearings.