1 Topic by jamesarmstrong3

  • jamesarmstrong3
  • Newbie
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  • Registered: 2013-06-21
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Question about collet and thrust bearings

When the collet is locked all the way down on the auger and then the thrust bearings added followed by the nylon part, is there supposed to be a small gap between the locked part and the actual tube / flange? The collet would rub if the auger was pushed all the way in and it seems like it should be pulled towards the motor so the nylon part is against the other flange. This leaves a pretty good gap where you can see the auger threads at the end of the tube in the flange. Is this a problem or how it is supposed to be. What on the motor connection system keeps the auger pulled towards it? It seems like you would want the motor pushing the auger into the tube to hold everything in place but then it binds on the locked down collet. I hope this is making sense. I was hoping to get this answered before I assembly any further. Just seems like it would be the other way around, nylon first so it can rotate, thrust bearings then collet locked down holding all in place.

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
  • Filastruder
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  • Registered: 2012-10-11
  • Posts: 6,048

Re: Question about collet and thrust bearings

Nope! It's definitely right as described in the manual. The gap you describe is normal, the thrust created from pressurizing the melt zone will keep the collet/thrust bearing/nylon bushing all compressed. You do not want the motor "pushing" at all, it is not rated for thrust.

Reversing everything as you describe is bad for a couple different reasons. Assemble it as described - shaft collar all the way forward touching the beginning of the flutes, thrust bearing behind that, nylon bushing behind the thrust bearing. Slide the auger to compress the stack, mount the supports accordingly.

The next batch of kits will include angle brackets to make alignment of the supports easier. smile

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