Can anyone identify this item please

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying an unknown machined steel item presented by a user. Participants speculate on its purpose and potential applications, considering various engineering contexts and mechanisms. The scope includes exploratory reasoning and technical speculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests it could serve as a crush-able support in a bumper.
  • Another participant associates the small holes with turbine blades, proposing a steam-related application.
  • There is a question about whether it could be a movable nozzle, with inquiries about the geometry of the flanges and the nature of the holes.
  • One viewpoint posits that it resembles a bollard meant to be anchored in concrete, with small holes for carrying lubricating oil under pressure.
  • A different perspective describes it as a sliding guide for a rod, potentially part of a larger articulated mechanism, reminiscent of old steam machines.
  • One participant humorously questions the likelihood of the item falling out of someone's pocket, suggesting it may not be as misplaced as initially thought.
  • Another participant proposes it might be part of a petrol see-saw-like pump.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views regarding the identity and function of the item, with no consensus reached on its purpose or application.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the item's design and function, but there are unresolved questions regarding its geometry and specific application.

BenJackson
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This item was handed to me by a customer who thought it had fallen off a piece of our machinery. It clearly has not but is a wonderful piece of machined steel standing some 8" tall it is an extrusion with tiny drilled holes that look like air vents and two, what looks like bearing mounts which are different diameters. I have worked in engineering for many years and cannot imagine what it is. So come on all you wise engineering bods, impress me with your wealth of knowledge....I will not accept that its a table with some keys and a lump of metal as an answer.
Thanks in advance. Ben
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Interesting. Looks to me like something you would use as a crush-able (and easily replaceable) support in a bumper.
 
The small holes remind me of the holes in a turbine blade so perhaps something steam related?
 
Could it be a movable nozzle of some kind?
Are the top and bottom flanges parallel? or are one or both angled?
Are the holes through the part or blind? Are they threaded?
 
I think it looks like a bollard meant to be anchored in concrete. The polished part would stick above the concrete and be used as the hub to mount a bearing. Small holes would carry lubricating oil under pressure.
 
The hollow looks like a sliding guide for something as a conformed kind of rod, and the cylindric forms as parts to fir in some holes allowing turning inside them, between two parallel beams. It looks as a part of a bigger articulated mechanism. Old steam machines has something the like to transform circular into lineal movement.
 
BenJackson said:
View attachment 90998 This item was handed to me by a customer who thought it had fallen off a piece of our machinery. It clearly has not but is a wonderful piece of machined steel standing some 8" tall it is an extrusion with tiny drilled holes that look like air vents and two, what looks like bearing mounts which are different diameters. I have worked in engineering for many years and cannot imagine what it is. So come on all you wise engineering bods, impress me with your wealth of knowledge....I will not accept that its a table with some keys and a lump of metal as an answer.
Thanks in advance. BenView attachment 90999

What other types of machinery do you have Ben? I don't think that this object fell put of someone's pocket. :)
 
Could it be a piece of an arm of a petrol see-saw-like pump?
 

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