(I noticed the other thread was hidden from public view, so cross posting this question here as well)
I’m working on coming up with ideas for a strandbeest crankshaft and wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this approach, specifically with the outside shafts being attached with bolts:
To avoid having to weld joints when the delrin bushings + plywood is on the shaft, the outside parts of the crank would be bolted together, the rod is 1/2" diameter and the flat parts in the picture would be 1/8" thick x 2" wide steel bar stock. Only the central joints would be welded (with the steel ball bearings inside a bearing block already on the rod), those welded joints are what I think would take the full rotational torque that you could apply on a bike (on the order of 100-200 ft lbs depending on gearing)
My assumption is that as long as each bearing block has two bearings and keeps the center shafts perfectly in line, then there should be no rotational torque on the outer shafts that would be connected with bolts. I think the 1000+ pound clamping force would be good assuming that there isn’t much rotational torque going through that bolted joint, am I correct in thinking there wouldn’t be?