2 installing the itcm – Rice Lake ITCM SS Isolated Tension Cell Module User Manual

Page 7

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5

2.2 Installing the ITCM

1.

Select a suspension rod of the appropriate diameter. Use a safety factor of
at least 4, based on the yield strength of the rod material. If vibration or
shock loads are common, then a higher factor of safety should be consid-
ered. Commercially available threaded rod is made from a low yield
strength material and will not provide an adequate safety factor in many
applications. When determining the rod length, subtract the length of the
ITCM module from the overall suspension length, making allowance for
complete thread engagement in each clevis.

2.

Making certain to provide adequate thread for the jam nut, cut the
suspension rod near its center point and thread the ends that screw into the
ITCM module.

3.

Making sure to put the jam nut on first, assemble a clevis to the top and
bottom rods. Screw the rod in sufficiently so that all threads of the clevis
are engaged. Lock each clevis in place using the jam nuts. The clevises
should be rotated 90

°

relative to each other (see illustration below).

4.

Initially, the lined rod end ball joints are stiffer than regular rod end ball
joints. This is normal. Verify that all threads of the load cell are engaged
by the rod end ball joint, then lock in place with the jam nuts provided.

Screw the rod end ball joints into the load cell. Align one so the flat face
is in the same plane as the load cell. Turn the other to 90

°

(see illustration).

5.

Insert the rod end ball joint into the upper clevis. Place a nylon washer on
each side of the rod end and insert the shoulder screw. Secure the shoulder
screw with the lock nut provided. Repeat the procedure on the lower clevis.

Note: The 15K and 20K ITCM models use plain pins secured with
washers and cotter pins, rather than threaded shoulder screws and
lock nuts.

TO SUPPORT

BONDING STRAP

ROD END BALL
JOINT JAM NUT

LOAD CELL

LOCK NUT
(COTTER PIN IN
15K, 20K MODELS)

ROD END BALL JOINT

SUSPENSION ROD

TO VESSEL

JAM NUT

SHOULDER SCREW
(STRAIGHT PIN IN
15K, 20K MODELS)

CLEVIS

NYLON WASHER

1/4” LOCK WASHER

1/4” x 1/2”
MACH. SCREW

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