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Work log - Week 3 - February 8, 2022

This is just a way to keep a record of what I’m doing during FabAcademy Spring 2022.

2/9 – Wednesday

  • Finally got access to OnShape. Too late.
  • Worked with Dennis Leak and Michael Long on Vinyl Cutter and Laser Engraver respectively.
  • Laser Cutter
    • Learned how to to create, import, and print file from inkscape to laser cutter.
    • Learned laser setup and safety procedures.
    • Tested laser cutting power settings.
    • Laser Power for cutting and engraving 1/8” Cardboard
      • Cutting- 100% Speed, 100% power, 50% freq/rate
      • Engraving – 100% Speed, 50% power, 50% freq/rate
  • Worked with Denny Leak on Vinyl Cutter.
    • We set up, learned how to use the vinyl cutter.
    • Tested and replaced the blade
    • Able to print reliably from inkscape.

2/10 – Thursday

  • Received POM balls for DIY thrust bearing
  • Turned SS test piece for diy thrust bearing.
  • Assembled and tested bearing. Acceptable results. “Zits” from 3d printing cause problems. Will be necessary to refine 3d printer (difficult, tried multiple print settings, I believe it’s the nozzle.) Also necessary to add chamfer around part surface that sits on print surface, as the “elephant foot” effect tends to close/tighten the bearing race. Probably best to add a chamfer around this area for when it’s next printed, at least the elephant foot isn’t an issue. It’s necessary to clean the surface with a file and sandpaper to get rid of elephant foot and zits.
  • Also added three set screws (for centering purposes.) and changed diameter of encoder shaft through hole.

3d printed test bearing 1

The pieces of the test assembly (the stainless slug is a dummy rotary encoder.)

3d printed test bearing 2

With ball bearings, ready to close.

2/11 – Friday

  • Spent a large part of today writing and catching up on documentation.

2/12 - Saturday

  • Spent time working with Dr. Adam Harris and Cori Summers discussing final projects and up coming projects.
  • Worked on Group Project for classifying the Laser Engraver

Laser Test 1

  • Learned about Forward and Inverse Kinematics, and what that actually means.

My very rough understanding: Inverse Kinematics is giving a robotic arm (for instance) a position to move too, and the arm must figure out how to move it’s joints in order to get the end of the arm to that position. Forward Kinematics seems to be that if you know what the position is of each segment of the arm, you know where the end of the arm is in space.

forward kinematics resouces, (most of this is way above my head.)

2/14 – Monday

  • Spent a few hours testing laser cutter. Made a few projects on Vinyl Cutter.

Happy Valentine's Day

2/15 - Tuesday

Last update: April 30, 2022