self-alignmentn.
/ˌsɛlfəˈlʌɪnm(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfəˈlaɪnm(ə)nt/ Mechanics.
The process by which a device achieves or maintains correct alignment automatically; correct alignment of a device brought about automatically. Cf. self-aligning adj.
ΚΠ
1876 U.S. Patent 173,902 1/2 I do not claim herein the self-alignment of the counter-shaft nor the construction of the journal-boxes, as I have already claimed them in a former application for Letters Patent.
1946 L. Toft & A. T. J. Kersey Theory of Machines (ed. 5) vii. 206 The Skefco double-row ball bearing, in which the outer race surface is spherical, so that the bearing permits self-alignment of the shaft.
1962 G. A. T. Burdett Automatic Control Handbk. iv. 9 A method of maintaining self-alignment.
2013 K. E. Drexler Radical Abundance App. Ⅱ. 305 Machines made of stiff components can be assembled through soft stereotaxis aided by self-alignment.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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