Claims
- 1. A method of precisely preloading a rotary die cutter shaft bearing, comprising:a) supporting a rotary die cutter shaft having a shoulder, a tapered surface adjacent to said shoulder, and a threaded portion adjacent to said tapered surface; b) sliding a first shim onto said rotary die cutter shaft until said first shim abuts said shoulder, said first shim having a predetermined thickness; c) sliding a spherical bearing onto said tapered surface, said spherical bearing having an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of roller elements positioned between said inner race and said outer race; d) expanding said inner race by tightening a lock nut onto said threaded portion of said rotary die cutter shaft to expand said inner race and force said inner race into contact with said first shim, thereby preloading said spherical roller bearing; e) connecting said outer race of said spherical bearing to a motor and operating said motor at a predetermined speed; f) measuring the torque required to rotate said outer race of said spherical bearing; g) comparing said measured torque to a predetermined torque range to determine if said spherical bearing is precisely preloaded; and h) providing a swivel plate for retaining said rotary die cutter shaft in an axial relationship with said motor.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said bearing comprises a reconditioned bearing.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing a rotary die cutter shaft comprises providing a rotary die cutter shaft for a heavy rotary die cutter.
- 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said swivel plate can swivel up to 360 degrees for retaining said rotary die cutter shaft in an axial relationship with said motor.
- 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said swivel plate further comprises a pull type plunger locking mechanism for retaining said rotary die cutter shaft in an axial relationship with said motor.
- 6. The method of claim 5, comprising spring loading said pull type plunger in a down lock position.
- 7. The method of claim 6, comprising pulling up said pull type plunger from the down lock position and rotating said swivel plate about 180 degrees for axially aligning said opposite end rotary die cutter shaft bearing on the opposite end of said rotary die cutter shaft.
- 8. The method of claim 6, comprising pulling up said pull type plunger from the down lock position and rotating said swivel plate relative to said base plate.
- 9. The method of claim 6, comprising preloading a bearing on one side of said rotary die cutter and then pulling up said pull type plunger from the down lock position, rotating said swivel plate relative to said base plate to preload a bearing on an opposite side of said rotary die cutter.
- 10. The method of claim 6, wherein said bearing comprises a reconditioned bearing.
Parent Case Info
This patent application is a Division of prior, U.S. patent application Ser. No.: 09/685,763, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,962 filed Oct. 10, 2000.
US Referenced Citations (11)