Star Roller Help

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sambo
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Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some help with this problem. I have a professional star rolling machine on loan to me and I'm looking to attach a larger pan to the drive shaft. Below are some pictures of the setup. I have a large flat based pan to attach and can machine on the lathe an adapter with a grub screw to connect to the mandrel but I'm not sure how to attach this to the pan - the present system uses a heavy plate ( I think it's epoxied on to it ) - is there a particular metal epoxy type glue I could use rather than tapping screws into the pan I have ? See below :

http://pyrotechnics.no-ip.org/files/IMG-3319.JPG
http://pyrotechnics.no-ip.org/files/IMG-3317.JPG
http://pyrotechnics.no-ip.org/files/IMG-3318.JPG

thanks in advance,

Sam.
Mixer
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by Mixer »

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Boophoenix
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by Boophoenix »

I’m guessing a little here since I can’t tell enough from the photo. When you say grub screw are you talking from the side onto the shaft of from the end?

Should it be from the end you’re in luck very likely. You could space the rear of the pan which would require less spacing inside the pan. While snug to that’d diameter is ideal it wouldn’t be a deal breaker on the bottom side. A piece of hose could be used to take up some of the slack if need be. You’d need enough of a spacer on the inside and running true enough to not wobble, but it should clamp down and run in my simple opinion. Especially if the drum has directional rotation. Run it in the direction that tightens the screw should it try to loosen.

If the grub screw is a set screw to the shaft this is more complicated as compressing the new pan to prevent slipping is a little of an issue. A rubber spacer on each side of the pan may could gain enough traction to work if you could compress it slightly before tightening the set screw.
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Yes, it's a grub screw from the side :-(
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Do you think that Epoxy will be strong enough if say the surface area of glue is 7 square inches, so a 3 inch diameter disk ?
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Boophoenix
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by Boophoenix »

I believe I’d test it with some cheaper material if you plan on another stainless drum. Try on a cheap salad bowl to see if it might be strong enough.

There should be a purchaseable adapter, but I haven’t a clue what to call it to search.

I’m thinking something like this with a female flange on the inside of the bowl instead of the threaded shaft sticking out.

https://www.zoro.com/shaft-arbors/c/5885/
dave321
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by dave321 »

sam,

that looks like an erweka drive unit, used in the pharma industry,
did you manage to scrounge it ?:)
if you can get a benchtop extruder and spheronizer you would be well away !! to make small spherical star cores or crackle balls

you can get other attachments for it like oscillating granulator with screens, to make granules

dave
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Hi Dave,

yes it's very generously on loan and I think I can really get some fantastic use out of it. I'm really intrigued by your suggestions - do you know any suppliers or links I can look at - I have no idea how those things work ?
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Dave,
I just googled that drive unit and the controls are identical. I'll have to go and read the label and see what I come up with. You're a genius !
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

Right Dave,

I totally get what you mean - having researched this. That would be a giant leap forwards, although I'm not sure it's in my reach yet. Why do you granulate before you extrude though ?
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Boophoenix
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by Boophoenix »

I like those coating pans for those. Could be a handy tool to have around if priced right with accessories.

https://youtu.be/POg9l0b27OQ
dave321
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by dave321 »

dave321 wrote:sam,

that looks like an erweka drive unit, used in the pharma industry,
did you manage to scrounge it ?:)
if you can get a benchtop extruder and spheronizer you would be well away !! to make small spherical star cores or crackle balls

you can get other attachments for it like oscillating granulator with screens, to make granules

dave
sam,
sorry I didn't make myself clear.
you can get all sorts of attachments that fit onto the drive unit, one of them being an oscillating granulator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoClAu-3bgw

that would make granules (wet or dry).

the extruder and spheronisation is a totally separate bit of kit made by caleva.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaOUXOcurWE
the size of the balls is determined by the diameter of the extrudate, which is chopped to length and then rounded of by a high speed rotating plate with ridges on it.
the following attempts to describe the process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1pxsuO9i9o

even a bench top bit of kit is expensive. I used it when I did my day job at pfizers in sandwich.

I am convinced it has pyrotechnic potential but it needs someone with money to show the idea can be used to produce round stars effectively and industrywise that's not gonna happen when other methods work, like the giant copper coating pans to produce Japanese round stars...........at Pfizer they were used to sugar coat safapryn and safapryn co. years ago.

when they got rid of production I should have made efforts to get a pan :)
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biffo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by biffo »

The machines used to make what are known as boilies for catching carp and feeding swims and trout ponds also look like they could have a next life in pyro.Regards B
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biffo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by biffo »

Also Sam have you seen the shades used on high bay lights ( factory type) lots are being replaced now for low energy types and could be adapted for use in a star rolling drum.I must echo Richard in another thread I wish I was nearer I love messing with this stuff.good luck B
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

would be great to have you down for a visit, welcome anytime. Haven't seen that stuff, I'll keep on googling !
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

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biffo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by biffo »

Hi Sam I've been reading some posts on the other forum and someone has come up with a great idea and says that it works and has made some good stars, you might have followed it about Japanese star rollers and the idea was to use a large gas cylinder cut down, I think it's a great idea and Easley doable for not alot of money compared to other options.Regards B
sambo
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Re: Star Roller Help

Post by sambo »

ah ha - interesting, thanks Biffo. I'll check it out!
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