Etch Press Build

[Wal]

Okay, I've been thinking a bit more with regards to the springs under the take-up bearings - an example:



I take it that the primary job of these springs is to pre-load the top roller to remove any slack and prevent it from flopping about when not under a printing load, with a secondary purpose of perhaps aiding the raising of the roller? Or am I missing something? Will I be making a grave error by omitting these springs from my design? I've seen other presses without 'em - but I want to be sure on their purpose and the pros and cons of having them incorporated.

I posed this exact question to a press manufacturer over in the States - he got back to me (and I'm grateful for that) but his answer to the spring question was a rather vague 'yes'. Hmm... yes as in the springs do that job, or yes as in you're making a big mistake by omitting them from your design..? And with regards to getting some general advice on material specs - well - here's what I managed to extract from him:

You have to pick the right material with the proper thickness in the right places.

Hehe. Blood from a stone...

Anyway - back to the question - am I missing something with this spring..? Any mechanical engineers here have any thoughts on the matter..?

Wal.