3.1 Standard flow table and framefootnote
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - IMSBC Code – International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code – Resolution MSC.268(85) - Appendix 2 – Laboratory Test Procedures, Associated Apparatus and Standards - 3 Standards used in test procedures - 3.1 Standard flow table and frame1

3.1 Standard flow table and framefootnote

  3.1.1 Flow table and frame

  3.1.1.1 The flow table apparatus shall be constructed in accordance with figure 3. The apparatus shall consist of an integrally cast rigid iron frame and a circular rigid table top, 10 inches ± 0.1 inch (254 mm ± 2.5 mm) in diameter, with a shaft attached perpendicular to the table top by means of a screw thread. The table top, to which the shaft with its integral contact shoulder is attached, shall be mounted on a frame in such a manner that it can be raised and dropped vertically through the specified height, with a tolerance in height of ± 0.005 inches (0.13 mm) for new tables and ± 0.015 inches (0.39 mm) for tables in use, by means of a rotated cam. The table top shall have a fine-machined plane surface, free of blowholes and surface defects, and shall be scribed as shown in figure 3. The table top shall be of cast brass or bronze having a Rockwell hardness number not less than HRB 25 with an edge thickness of 0.3 inches (8 mm), and shall have six integral radial stiffening ribs. The table top and attached shaft shall weigh 9 lb ± 0.1 lb (4 kg ± 0.05 kg) and the weight shall be symmetrical around the centre of the shaft.

  3.1.1.2 The cam and vertical shaft shall be of medium-carbon machinery steel, hardened where indicated in figure 3. The shaft shall be straight and the difference between the diameter of the shaft and the diameter of the bore of the frame shall be not less than 0.002 inches (0.05 mm) and not more than 0.003 inches (0.08 mm) for new tables and shall be maintained at from 0.002 inches to 0.010 inches (0.26 mm) for tables in use. The end of the shaft shall not fall upon the cam at the end of the drop, but shall make contact with the cam not less than 120° from the point of drop. The face of the cam shall be a smooth spiralled curve of uniformly increasing radius from ½ inch to 1¼ inches (13 mm to 32 mm) in 360o and there shall be no appreciable jar as the shaft comes into contact with the cam. The cam shall be so located and the contact faces of the cam and shaft shall be such that the table does not rotate more than one revolution in 25 drops. The surfaces of the frame and of the table which come into contact at the end of the drop shall be maintained smooth, plane, and horizontal and parallel with the upper surface of the table and shall make continuous contact over a full 360°.

  3.1.1.3 The supporting frame of the flow table shall be integrally cast of fine-grained, high-grade cast iron. The frame casting shall have three integral stiffening ribs extending the full height of the frame and located 120° apart. The top of the frame shall be chilled to a depth of approximately ¼ inch (6.4 mm) and the face shall be ground and lapped square with the bore to give 360° contact with the shaft shoulder. The underside of the base of the frame shall be ground to secure a complete contact with the steel plate beneath.

  3.1.1.4 The flow table may be driven by a motor,footnote connected to the camshaft through an enclosed worm gear speed reducer and flexible coupling. The speed of the camshaft shall be approximately 100 rpm. The motor drive mechanism shall not be fastened or mounted on the table base plate or frame.

 The performance of a flow table shall be considered satisfactory if, in calibration tests, the table gives a flow value that does not differ by more than 5 percentage points from flow values obtained with a suitable calibration material.footnote

  3.1.2 Flow table mounting

  3.1.2.1The flow table frame shall be tightly bolted to a cast iron or steel plate at least 1 inch (25 mm) thick and 10 inches (250 mm) square. The top surface of this plate shall be machined to a smooth plane surface. The plate shall be anchored to the top of a concrete pedestal by four ½ inches (13 mm) bolts that pass through the plate and are embedded at least 6 inches (150 mm) in the pedestal. The pedestal shall be cast inverted on the base plate. A positive contact between the base plate and the pedestal shall be obtained at all points. No nuts or other such levelling devices shall be used between the plate and the pedestal. Levelling shall be effected by suitable means under the base of the pedestal.

  3.1.2.2 The pedestal shall be 10 inches to 11 inches (250 mm to 275 mm) square at the top, and 15 inches to 16 inches (375 mm to 400 mm) square at the bottom, 25 inches to 30 inches (625 mm to 750 mm) in height, and shall be of monolithic construction, cast from concrete weighing at least 140 lb/ft3 (2,240 kg/m3). A stable gasket cork pad, ½ inch (13 mm) thick and approximately 4 inches (102 mm) square, shall be inserted under each corner of the pedestal. The flow table shall be checked frequently for levelness of the table top, stability of the pedestal, and tightness of the bolts and nuts in the table base and the pedestal plate. (A torque of 20 lb/ft (27 Nm) is recommended when tightening those fastenings.)

  3.1.2.3 The table top, after the frame has been mounted on the pedestal, shall be level along two diameters at right angles to each other, in both the raised and lowered positions.

  3.1.3 Flow table lubrication

  3.1.3.1 The vertical shaft of the table shall be kept clean and shall be lightly lubricated with a light oil (SAE-10). Oil shall not be present between the contact faces of the table top and the supporting frame. Oil on the cam face will lessen wear and promote smoothness of operation. The table should be raised and permitted to drop a dozen or more times just prior to use if it has not been operated for some time.

  3.1.4 Mould

  3.1.4.1 The mould for casting the flow specimen shall be of cast bronze or brass, constructed as shown in figure 3. The Rockwell hardness number of the metal shall be not less than HRB 25. The diameter of the top opening shall be 2.75 inches ± 0.02 inches (69.8 mm ± 0.5 mm) for new moulds and 2.75 inches + 0.05 inches (+ 1.3 mm) and - 0.02 inches for moulds in use. The surfaces of the base and top shall be parallel and at right angles to the vertical axis of the cone. The mould shall have a minimum wall thickness of 0.2 inches (5 mm). The outside of the top edge of the mould shall be shaped so as to provide an integral collar for convenient lifting of the mould. All surfaces shall be machined to a smooth finish. A circular shield approximately 10 inches (254 mm) in diameter, with a centre opening approximately 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter, made of non-absorbing material not attacked by the cement, shall be used with the flow mould to prevent mortar from spilling on the table top.

Parent topic: 3 Standards used in test procedures
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