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capacity of a screw jack

capacity of a screw jack

capacity of a screw jack

(OP)
We dug up an old screw jack and have a use for it.  Anyone know how to calculate its capacity?  The shear at the base of the threads perhaps?

RE: capacity of a screw jack

For the length of the thread engaged in the nut.

Should be cast on the frame someplace if it is a commercial fabricated item

RE: capacity of a screw jack

rittz,

   How about buckling of the screw?

               JHG

RE: capacity of a screw jack

rittz:
Yes, you certainly can calculate the cap'y. of a screw jack.  You need to know all the material properties of the screw and the collar or nut, and the stand.  You need to know the type of screw thread form; Acme, Square, Modified Square, etc. and all the dimensions of the screw and nut.  Then it is primarily a problem of shear strength at the root of the thread, with a few other factors thrown in for complication of the problem.

As mentioned by others, I would look for a cap'y. cast into the base; I would look for a name or manuf'rs. letters cast into the base and ask them.  You could take a quick cut at a cap'y. calc. and then have a testing lab actually load it and watch its deflection rate, or just use it at half the calc'ed. cap'y., at your own risk.  Look at the cap'y. of a current day jack with the same screw form and size for an estimate of your jack cap'y.  All-in-all it might be cheaper and less time consuming just to buy a new one.

RE: capacity of a screw jack

I was going to toss in watch out for bearing stress on the tooth flights until I saw this:

Quote:

All-in-all it might be cheaper and less time consuming just to buy a new one.

It occurred to me, considering your load requirements and application, that it might be SAFER   too.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com

RE: capacity of a screw jack

The "capacity" of an (old, rusty, not-maintained) screw jack will be significantly degraded by the friction increase from rusty (male) thread to rusty (female) nut: Thus the turning force to twist the screwsjack = breaking and "re-machining" and cutting "new" threads force PLUS the "lifting" force you desire PLUS the "ordinary" friction force you'd expect with a new (lubricated) jack and (new) threads.  

Check the jack stand too: Might be rusted on non-structurally strong also.  

Depending on how much (what weight) you are going to lift might make using the old jack not worthwhile.  What is your cost-per-hour of the project if this costs you 4 extra hours?  

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