This IsAs Far From CNC Machining As You Can Get......

[glp]

Yes

We prefer to use liquid nitrogen, you can completely submerged the piece for an even shrink.

However, it is not recommended to use liguid nitrogen with Thorplas. The word is it will possibly shatter if cooled that quickly.

We have shrunk large Bronze Bushings in Methanol and dry ice for installation. It's the next thing to liquid nitrogen as far as getting something really cold. But having a deep washtub full of flammable liguid in the shop can give you a pause.

Having that much methanol exposed in a non controlled space isn't wise. We did it in a large low expansion beaker under a lab hood, fire suppressed. We would cart the part down to the shop on a lab cart. I think I remember that they would heat the ring and would then insert the cooled cylinder. The fit was extremely precise as only friction was keeping them fixed to one another. I wish I could remember what the combined part was for.

 

[dmort]

Power source

Jackie,

Is this a dead ship where you have to supply the electrical/air for your project?

 

[jackie schmidt]

Jackie,

Is this a dead ship where you have to supply the electrical/air for your project?

This particular job is a new "Dump Scow" that is being built by Sterling Shipyard in Port Neches Texas.

A "Dump Scow" is one of those barges that they load up with whatever, take it out to sea, and the two halves come apart, dumping the contents.

Here is a picture of a small dump Scow. The one being built at Sterling is over 300 ft long and will be fully ABS certified for offshore use.


http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18962&stc=1&d=1485998807

You can see the hinges on each end.

What I am boring is the two huge hinges that allows the Barge halves to open.

As for the power, all of our outside equipment is pneumatic powered. All shipyards had huge compressors that produce plenty of air at 100 PSI.That big Air Motor you see driving the bar is my own creation. It's a Number 5 Ingersol Rand Corner drill that I mounted a 5 hp air motor on. When you reduce 5 hp at 3000 RPM down to 75 RPM, you get lots of torque to the gear drive

I adapted those motors to the big Corner Drills gear train because I can get vanes locally. Since that thing will run continuously all day long, vanes do break or wear out, especially under heavy loads. I carry a tool kit that allows me to change the vanes in less than 30 minutes.

 

[dmort]

Do you have anyone assisting you when you go to another yard? Some of those setups look like you could use another hand.

 

[brickeyee]

reminds me of a lot of the aircraft work we did.

"Drill on Assembly" is in a lot of places on many aircraft.

Luckily we had nice big hangers (not heated or cooled though) to work in.

With huge cranes.
And 'portable' machine tools we could move around as needed.

We might spend a week building framing (welded up structural steel) to hold a 'portable' tool (think the 100,000 pound range) in position to drill a hole that would take 36 to 48 hours to bore in aluminum.

On an almost completed air-frame.

The cost of an error would be millions.

The best laid plans never seemed to make it all the way though one of these jobs.

Hats off to you.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Do you have anyone assisting you when you go to another yard? Some of those setups look like you could use another hand.

I have an agreement with all of our customers, whether it be Shipyards or Tug/Barge Companies.

They get me, my knowledge, and my equipment, while they furnish me with a helper, a fitter/welder, or any body else I might need, such as a crane operator.

Once I am set up and cutting, I turn them loose to go about their regular deeds. When I finish cutting, I get the guys back to help me tear down the set-up and move to the next, or load everything back on my truck.

This works out well for all parties. The Shipyard gets billable hours without having to employ a high dollar Machinist, or have all of that equipment on hand and to maintain.And of course, I get to make lots of money.

It's a win-win.

 

[zippy06]

Jackie.
that is nice.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[ebb]

So now that you have the ability to make a 13 3/4 inch hole all you need is the ability to rifle a 13 3/4 inch hole? And a way to measure it for score.

 

[brickeyee]

the ability to rifle a 13 3/4 inch hole

That is what we have Naval Yards for.

The rifling of those old large guns was the ultimate 'National Secret' of their time.


Years ago the Navy Yard in Washington, DC still had a few on display.

No idea if any are still there.

 

[dmort]

Gun turrets

There was a large crane that straddled one of the slips at the shipyard where I last worked. I was told it was used for removing gun turrets off battleships and cruisers during WW2.

 

[Butch Lambert]

There was a large crane that straddled one of the slips at the shipyard where I last worked. I was told it was used for removing gun turrets off battleships and cruisers during WW2.

I bet that is easier than a bunch of seamen doing it.

 

[dmort]

Able seaman

I bet that is easier than a bunch of seamen doing it.

Butch


After a lot of thought, the best thing I can do is pass on making any comment!

LOL

 

[Butch Lambert]

Butch


After a lot of thought, the best thing I can do is pass on making any comment!

LOL

Have you heard the term burleywood, probably not. It is a term used in West Virginia and maybe elsewhere. Kinda like pulling your leg.

 

[dmort]

Crane operators

We had a large overhead crane in our shop. If our shift was scheduled for a lift an operator would be there at the beginning of the shift or shortly after. The operator would often stay up there until he was called for another lift somewhere in the yard.

Sometimes lunchtime would roll around and no one would have seen the operator come down. The logical question was what the heck does he do up there while waiting for another call? One night some one suggested he had large pile of skin books. I can't tell what a laugh we had that night and I have never forgotten it.

 

[dmort]

Have you heard the term burleywood, probably not. It is a term used in West Virginia and maybe elsewhere. Kinda like pulling your leg.

Butch,

I knew you weren't serious and neither was I. I need to start using the icons.

Burleywood ....I learn something everyday. I take it you are from West Virginia?

 

[Butch Lambert]

I'm an Okie from Marlow, Ok. Visited WV a couple times when my Grandson played football at WVU.

 

[jackie schmidt]

I guess I should show the finished job. The Superintendant at Sterling Shipyard sent me this picture today of the finished Hinge Assemblies, bushings installed and the pins in place.

I asked him to send me a picture of those huge Hydraulic Rams that open, and close the Barge halves, after they were installed in the abutments that we bored.

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19041&stc=1&d=1487299226

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19042&stc=1&d=1487299342

 

[Butch Lambert]

Looks great Jackie.

 

[JerrySharrett]

I guess I should show the finished job. The Superintendant at Sterling Shipyard sent me this picture today of the finished Hinge Assemblies, bushings installed and the pins in place.

I asked him to send me a picture of those huge Hydraulic Rams that open, and close the Barge halves, after they were installed in the abutments that we bored.

2[/url]

In the Army we called that "Field Expediency"....getting it done with what you have.


.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Here are the large Hydraulic rams that open and close the Barge Halves, mounted in the Abutments that I bored. There are two on each end.

Around 20 inch diameter, 18 ft long, all stainless construction.

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19076&stc=1&d=1487647552

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19077&stc=1&d=1487647618