Has any other team successfully used the Igus flange bearings included in the kop in an application that required the bearing to withstand the robot’s entire weight?
Our current design requires the climber to pivot out from the robot on a shaft that will bear the weight of the bot. When deciding on how to implement this design we came across the Igus 3/8 anodized shaft and flange bearings in the kop. The shaft is perfect, however we have some concerns regarding the durability of the plastic bearings. The ratings sheet cites the long term load for the EFOI-10 as 157 Ib. This gives us a weight headroom of around 30 Ibs. based on the current robot design. This is a little close for our liking, especially considering the bearing will have to bear this load numerous times in testing and play.
If you wouldn’t recommend using these bearings, does anyone have a suggestion for a product that could fill the same role?
I would have to see your design to understand how you are using the bearing. They are pretty stout, and it sounds like you are just using it to pivot, not to be spinning?
but I have no idea how the bearing or shaft is oriented, or other details of the design.
The 120lb max weight is without battery and bumpers, which are another 20-25 pounds. So you have 7 pounds extra. That said, if I understand correctly, the weight of the robot is perpendicular to the shaft. This would be radial load, not axial load. The EFOI-10 is rated for 315 lbs long-term static radial load, but with two bearings (I assume), that would be 157.5 lbs radial load on each. You should double-check my numbers, but you should be fine.
This is the best I could get at the moment, excuse my paint skills.
The red circles represent where the Igus bearing will be placed on the climber mechanism itself while the yellow line is a stand in for the anodized shaft which will be fixed to the two sides of the superstructure. Once the climber catches the rope, it will move about the shaft until it reaches the top and begins pulling the robot up with it.
It should work in that application. Each bearing will only be carrying half the weight of the robot, and it does not move very much…they can take more load for slow rotation like that, I think.
You want to make sure the shaft is supported right next to the arm, though.
