Loads and load paths — Frame

Part of the Frame section. How operating loads are carried through the frame to the floor.

Primary loads

The frame must carry reaction forces from the drivetrain, transmission, extraction (driven bracket and peelers), and plug ejection (plunger drive) without excessive deflection. Alignment between yoke, bearings, and peelers must be maintained for timing and bearing life.

Source	Load type	Path through frame
Drivetrain (motor, reducer, gears)	Reaction to drive torque; weight of motor, reducer, gear train	Drivetrain mount plate → side rails → main frame → leveling mounts → floor
Transmission (yoke, shafts, bearings)	Reaction to linear stroke force; inertia of yoke and driven mass	Transmission mount plate → side rails → main frame → leveling mounts → floor
Extraction (driven bracket, peelers)	Compression force during juicing; reaction from static peelers	Loaded mount plate (collection side) ↔ driven bracket; loaded plate → side rails → main frame → floor
Plug ejection (plunger drive)	Reaction to plunger force (compression springs, rod load)	Plunger housings and bracket react into loaded/collection structure; into loaded mount plate and side rails → main frame → floor

Load path principles

Clear paths — No single member or joint should see disproportionate load; loads should spread through the welded structure and into the three plates as intended.
Minimise deflection — Stiffness of the main frame and plate interfaces is critical so that yoke travel, peeler mesh, and plunger alignment stay within design intent.
Reaction into floor — All operating loads must be carried down through the legs into the leveling mounts (M24 endplates) and the floor; no floating or cantilevered reaction paths.
Joints — Bolted interfaces (plates to frame, brackets to plates) must be adequate for shear and tension; dowels carry locating and shear where specified.

Notes for RFP

Contractors may be asked to verify or document load paths for the as-built configuration. Detailed reaction magnitudes and FEA (if any) can be added here or in the Frame section as the design is frozen.