Good to see you are making progress.
Some comments on what you've got so far-
Those weights are going to create some powerful forces. Over time, these unbalanced forces will take it's toll on the shaft. You may want to think about adding another bearing to the end of your drive shaft. If that shaft is turning at 1000 rpm, the outside corner of your weight will be moving at about 50mph. You certainly don't need a hunk of metal moving through your shop at that sort of velocity. You might also want to start with less weight than you think you need and add plates as you go. The less weight spinning, the lower the potential for danger.
With the motor located down low and close to the axle center line, the bearings in the motor are going to take some abuse with every upward movement of the tub. This abuse could be lessened by moving the motor up and further off of the axle center line.
You might consider adding even larger gussets to your axle support or even a large plate across the back side of the support. By adding rigidity to the axle support structure, you will transfer more shaking force to the tub. Any place where flex is allowed will result in lost shaking force. It will could also result in welds cracking and metal prematurely fatiguing.
Are you planning on springs all the way around or springs on one side and a pivot on the other?
A large base like that could provide lots of room to weigh that baby down.
Keep up the good work.  |