Question for the wise and well informed?

[Moneybox]

I have a steel cone, it's not heavy, perhaps 80kg empty. I have to support it on rollers so that it can rotate about its axis at about 20rpm.




This is one I've used briefly. The support rollers work however in my opinion metal passing each end of the roller is travelling at a different speed drawing unnecessary power to drive it and creating wear.



The apex of the cone will be supported by a 30mm self-aligning bearing. The support rollers will spaced sufficiently apart to keep it running true.

Now where do I place my rollers?
Option 1 will have them running true to the axis.
Option 2 will be directly under the load but not aligned with the axis.

Option 3 might be to go with option 1 and add a thrust roller facing NE under the top lip?

Keep in mind, I rarely do as I'm told

 

[RichardWest]

Why don't you place another ring (like at option 1) where your option 2 is then it's running on the same axis and it's where most of the load is.

 

[Moneybox]

Why don't you place another ring (like at option 1) where your option 2 is then it's running on the same axis and it's where most of the load is.

I guess that's another option but I'd have to get another 50x50 angle rolled and I don't want to do that. I think number 1 would be about centre of the load and my150mm urethane tyred cast iron wheels are good for about a tonne.

 

[XLOOX]

The cone looks quite substantial. Do you have such a load in the cone that you really need such wide rollers?

I would go back to your original photo and replace the wide roller with 2 or 3 independent smaller rollers 2inches wide.

If they were independent rollers they would all rotate at the right speed with little scuff or drag as the inner and outer rolling diameters would be closer than for one big roller.

If the cone is substantial enough you can afford a single point of contact, in which case just replace your existing roller with one of same length but a convex profile ie curved higher in middle.

 

[Moneybox]

I have some hi-load wheels for rollers.



I might mount them on a swivel until aligned then weld the mounts into place.

 

[XLOOX]

I have some hi-load wheels for rollers.

View attachment 16040

I might mount them on a swivel until aligned then weld the mounts into place.

View attachment 16041

You must have the best stocked shed in Cue !

 

[Moneybox]

It's a difficult shape to handle.



I used a tube up the middle so that I could measure to the outer edge to align the bearing spigot.

 

[Moneybox]

You must have the best stocked shed in Cue !

Having it and finding it are different things

 

[Nightjar]

Phillip, Info here if you google;

How Centrifugal Concentrators Changed What It Means To Recover Fine Gold​

 

[Moneybox]

Phillip, Info here if you google;

How Centrifugal Concentrators Changed What It Means To Recover Fine Gold​

It's raining again now so I'll take a look. I was out like a light but I had to jump up and save my gear. Last night we got more than 50mm of rain and its back.

Ok, the link doesn't work but I found it I think. They are most likely on about the Nelson, Knutson or similar. They work on an inverted cone with riffles, the gold stays down and the lighter particles work their way up. I have a Knutson but this operates without the high centrifugal forces. It'll rotate much slower at 21rpm. The material will try to follow up the side slope but will be washed down with a water spray. The heavy particles will work up to the small end falling through that tube in the centre of the bearing and the lighter particles will head in the other direction falling over the lip on the large opening of the cone.