# Whats the Weak Link in the design?

**URL:** <https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/whats-the-weak-link-in-the-design/6336>\
**Category:** Frame\
**Created:** [September 2, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/whats-the-weak-link-in-the-design/6336 "2018-09-02T17:01:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 17

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**Author:** ![ManOfScience](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@ManOfScience](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/u/ManOfScience)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/whats-the-weak-link-in-the-design/6336/17 "2018-09-04T04:36:33Z")

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Thanks, @Gero - saved me a bunch of hunting!

From the discussions about @mrhall4’s [Gearbox failure - need replacement](https://forums.maslowcnc.com/t/gearbox-failure-need-replacement/6323/14?u=manofscience) , it may actually be that having the gearbox as the mechanical failure point is acceptable… assuming we can source the internal gears.

Hopefully I can ensure it never comes to that - I’m currently thinking that, instead of my earlier microswitch cutoff (or in addition to it), putting a monitored load cell between the Top beam and the motor mount is the way to go. When chain load exceeds, say, 100lbs it hits pause / throws an alarm.  
This adds circuit complexity, but keeps the failure mode non-destructive.

Besides, i’ve been having trouble figuring out how to spec the motor mount screws to shear within a predictable pressure range anyway. (my background is Electrical, not Mechanical Eng.)

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