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19 Project development

GanttProject

In order to visualize the progress of the project, I decided on the GanttProject program. The decisive factor here was, on the one hand, my instructor’s recommendation Ferdinand Meier and on the other hand that it is open source.

If, as in this case, it is a question of linear guides that are required in the construction of a machine, it can be very difficult to complete the project in the allotted time.



order components

The illustration shows very clearly that it is important to be aware of which components you want to work with at an early stage, as it can take some time for an order, for example from China, to arrive in Germany.

So I decided on the necessary components at the end of january.


3D modelling of the machine/komponents

During the entire period, in addition to assignments, I also devoted myself to modeling the components. Here I have also pursued several solutions, or supplementary solutions, side by side. I like to keep this process open as long as possible (in this case until the beginn of June).


assembly the machine

At the beginning of June, while modeling the components, I started working with working models. Here, design / modeling and assembling overlap and complement each other and stimulate each other.

Here I can plan and use the positive effect of the spiral development over a longer period of time (in this case around 9 weeks).


wiring of the machine/programm the machine

Since I always have to reckon that something will not work as I planned it and that I have no experience with electronics and cabling, and that I am very inexperienced in uploading and setting up the software, I am out of respect for these processes planned for 4-5 weeks. Due to the fact the assignments continue to run alongside the final project and may have to be worked on, I have planned 3 weeks for the cabling and around 2 weeks for the charging and loading of the software. The testing of the machine and the evaluation of the components can continue while the cables are being connected. For example, by checking the motor drivers, controlling the motors, testing the functionality of the endstops …


evaluation of the plan

Up to this point, it is working.


Complete your final project, tracking your progress:

what tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?

It works. Some fine adjustments still have to be made. I could still try to mill a pcb. There may also be the possibility to test additionally designed equipment such as the gears and a guide rail for placing or screwing on.

I should once again check all the points that are required for the final project and see whether I have met all the criteria.


what’s working? what’s not?

At a size of 30 x30 cm, the machine will work accurately enough for woodworkers. The attempt to mill a PCB looked very promising, but is not yet standard. Milling large panels with it, as initially envisaged, is not yet possible with the degree of accuracy that this machine, the body of which was created on my circular sawing in the basement, is not yet possible. if you move back and forth several times, zero shifts from x and y by a few millimeters.


what questions need to be resolved?

The limits of control!
Will the machine be more accurate when I mill out the body? Will the machines with more expensive and / or more precise rollers find the xy zero point after a few trips back and forth?
Can I already achieve something with a guide rail to put the plate?
Where is the real problem with pcb milling?


what will happen when?

Since I have the machine at school, i.e. at my workplace, I will work through the questions that I can still test every day after work.


what have you learned?

Through the guided creation of a machine with the corresponding theoretical substructure or superstructure (depending on the perspective) through the assignments, the effort that it costs to create a product until it is ready for series production becomes more readable for me.

It’s difficult to say exactly what I’ve learned.
In every assignment I was able to expand my skills and in many of them I had to start from scratch.
It is the same in the process-oriented final project.

I have achieved my actual goal of being able to use CAD and Cam software and being able to work with a wood milling machine.
In order to gain more insight and practice in these processes, I can continue working with the machine from the final project.

I have had some project ideas for a long time, the implementation of which now seem much more tangible to me after the fabacademy.


useful videos


Last update: June 12, 2021