I have no formal training or professional experience as a mechanical engineer. I would like to design a rotating base that is powered by a motor. I would like to accomplish the following:
- Smooth, quiet operation
- Self-locking (as could be accomplished with a worm drive)
- Minimal wobbling of the rotating part of the base
- Minimal loss of power (forgive me if "power" is the wrong word here) due to friction.
- The rotating part of the base doesn't fall off if the device is held up-side-down.
I'm thinking of using a worm drive (with a helical worm wheel) and thrust bearings. But I'm confused about how the thrust bearings would be attached such that the thing would be able to handle the axial loads from the worm drive, as well as avoid simply falling apart. Believe it or not, I've been researching this question for weeks and I'm still confused. Maybe I'm not mechanically inclined. Can anyone point me in the right direction?