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Transmission mount plate

Part of the Transmission section. Main structural plate that supports shaft mounts and linear bearings and preserves alignment under compression loads and jam cases.

Introduction

This plate mounts onto the frame rails and supports the 35 mm shaft guidance and linear bearing mounts for the yoke. It strongly influences shaft parallelism, binding risk, and alignment between extraction and collection peelers. Two candidate architectures exist: a sand-cast + post-machined plate and a welded + stress-relieved + machined plate.

Colour key & components

Key components and intent (colours may vary across figures).

Figures

Transmission plate context is shown in the Transmission main gallery. Add dedicated cast vs welded comparison images here later (rib draft, parting line, machined pads, welded gussets).

• Add figure: cast version with rib draft angles and parting surface highlighted.
• Add figure: welded version (two waterjet plates + gussets) with weld callouts and stress-relief note.
• Add figure: machined faces/pads called out (top/bottom mounting faces, hygiene-facing inner surfaces, bearing mount pads).

Discussion

Rough design & intent

• Primary requirement — Maintain shaft parallelism and bearing alignment so the yoke does not bind, even under washdown contamination and asymmetric/jam loading.
• Two architectures — (A) Sand-cast + post-machined for stiffness/robustness, and (B) welded steel (two waterjet-cut plates welded into an L + triangular gussets) followed by stress relief and machining.
• Hygiene surfaces — The plate front face is exposed to cleaning spray/juice; surfaces near pulp/juice should be cleanable (target roughness concept: ~Ra 0.8 μm on key surfaces).

Known issues & risks

• Distortion — Welded option may require stress relief (oven) and machining to avoid warping and loss of alignment.
• Casting quality — Cast option must consider surface quality, rib thickness, and shrink/porosity risk; requires coordination with casting vendor.
• All locating/fastener features TBD — Dowel scheme, bolt pattern, and shim strategy are not finalized and must be proposed for repeatable rebuilds.

DFM & manufacturing (China)

• Cast design notes (current intent) — Minimum wall thickness ~8 mm; draft angles ~3° on ribs; drill dimples/features included for post-cast machining setups; parting surface is on the back (negative-Z) face with ribs.
• Machining operations — Post-machine top and bottom mounting faces flat; machine hygiene-facing inner surfaces; machine bearing mount pads on back face; machine bottom flange interfaces for bolt-up.
• Welded design notes (current intent) — Two waterjet plates welded into L; add triangular gussets; stress relieve then machine critical faces/pads.

Questions for contractor

1. Recommend whether cast+machined or welded+stress-relieved is the best path in China for stiffness, repeatability, surface quality, and lead time. Provide trade-offs.
2. Propose the dowel/bolt/shim scheme to mount this plate to the frame rails for repeatable seasonal rebuilds (align → bolt → drill/ream → dowel workflow acceptable).
3. Define the machining/inspection plan to guarantee shaft/bearing alignment (datums, flatness/parallelism targets, and practical checks).
4. Recommend materials/finishes for washdown exposure and hygiene surfaces.

Interfaces

• Input: Forces/moments from yoke/shafts and jam cases react into this plate through shaft mounts and bearing mounts.
• Output: Reactions into the frame rails and cross-members; maintains alignment for extraction/collection peeler engagement.
• Mount: Bolts (and planned dowels) into frame rails; adjustable/shimmable as needed to achieve alignment.

Interfaces and tolerances

Known interfaces and tolerances. Links go to related subsystems.

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