Modeling A Heavy Component

[rustydog]

I do a bit of machine development & maintenance as part of my business. In this case I needed to mount a 60 pound motor upside down under a wood lathe bench. To avoid wrestling a heavy motor around to set up the alignment it occurred to me to make a model. The model base matches the motor base, the space block matches the motor body length and the 3/4 dowel matches the shaft size, length and position. I mounted the real motor pulley on the model, as it would be positioned on the motor shaft, and aligned the pulleys with a plumb bob. Once the alignment was complete I used the holes in the model base, which matched the holes in the motor base plate, to mark and drill the motor mount bolt holes in the bench top. When I fitted the motor everything lined up and I only had to deal with the motor once.


I don't see any reason this could not be used with other heavy or bulky components. Wood happend to be handy for this model but I don't see why cardboard or metal would not do as well in many cases.


I'm sure most I'm sure most of you have already used this approach. It was new to me. Hopefully it will save someone some time, effort or a mashed finger.

 

[Philco]

That's a very smart approach rusty dog,& thanks for sharing the tip. I have used wood glue & cardboard to make some models before & find its a lot cheaper to do it this way before I make the final part out of metal.
Phil

 

[davidh]

"cardboard engineering" is the term that comes to mind. its very popular in my shop. custome sheet metal work almost always requires me to do it. nice looking lathe. . .

 

[llarson]

I always save the heavy paper stiffener sheet that generally comes in new calendars, that, and wood, are a great help for home designing.