Comments on: On the Nature of One Month Project Visits http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/ Building tools for replicable, open source, post-scarcity resilient communities Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:45:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Roy http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-43178 Roy Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:03:42 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-43178 I don't understand how a torch table can cut square tubing to length or bolt holes that go through both sides. Will you rotate the tubing or will the torch head be able to rotate around the tubing? Or will the tubing be cut and drilled by conventional means? It looks like you're doing a good job even under less than desirable conditions,good luck. I don’t understand how a torch table can cut square tubing to length or bolt holes that go through both sides. Will you rotate the tubing or will the torch head be able to rotate around the tubing? Or will the tubing be cut and drilled by conventional means? It looks like you’re doing a good job even under less than desirable conditions,good luck.

]]> By: Torch Table 1 Month Update | Open Source Ecology http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-43105 Torch Table 1 Month Update | Open Source Ecology Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:21:54 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-43105 [...] one month has passed since Lawrence arrived. Here is an update, continuing from the last post on the project, up to the progress of one week [...] [...] one month has passed since Lawrence arrived. Here is an update, continuing from the last post on the project, up to the progress of one week [...]

]]> By: Lucas http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42907 Lucas Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:10:04 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42907 Go, Lawrence (and all), Go! Go, Lawrence (and all), Go!

]]> By: Lawrence http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42857 Lawrence Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:06:24 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42857 I don't want to sound like I've mastered composting. I've just gotten use to using a composting toilet, and grown to like it much much better than port-o-potty style methods. The torch table is progressing nicely. There are the moments of, "o crap why didn't I see that problem sooner", and "did I really invert those two holes? must need a break." Not to mention parts being delayed. I need to blog it but I'm close to having the x-assembly rolling, which means since the y and z assemblies are just iterations of the x, It'll move much faster. I've already got a lot of things I'll want to do differently for version 2, and I'm really excited at the prospect of doing all of the part cutting on version 1. I'm still going to have to figure out where to put version 2. Version 1 already takes up 782 cubic feet of space! I don’t want to sound like I’ve mastered composting. I’ve just gotten use to using a composting toilet, and grown to like it much much better than port-o-potty style methods.

The torch table is progressing nicely. There are the moments of, “o crap why didn’t I see that problem sooner”, and “did I really invert those two holes? must need a break.” Not to mention parts being delayed. I need to blog it but I’m close to having the x-assembly rolling, which means since the y and z assemblies are just iterations of the x, It’ll move much faster.

I’ve already got a lot of things I’ll want to do differently for version 2, and I’m really excited at the prospect of doing all of the part cutting on version 1.

I’m still going to have to figure out where to put version 2. Version 1 already takes up 782 cubic feet of space!

]]> By: Jeb http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42541 Jeb Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:33:28 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42541 Thanks so much for the fun update Lawrence! Give yourself a another pat on the back for learning to master composting in 3 weeks! I've spent 10+ years on the subject, and still find myself learning new tricks in the art of managing microbes. To be honest, in the Nevada desert I spent years trying (and failing) to compost effectively before I learned about humanure. (Many people around here continue to fail at composting without it, but I have managed to convert a few friends to the dark side.) Anyway, I am really excited about the possibilities of the torch table, while I'm sure it won't be easy. In fact, I'll view it as almost magic to see something home built actually cut steel like butter on command. Thanks so much for the fun update Lawrence! Give yourself a another pat on the back for learning to master composting in 3 weeks! I’ve spent 10+ years on the subject, and still find myself learning new tricks in the art of managing microbes. To be honest, in the Nevada desert I spent years trying (and failing) to compost effectively before I learned about humanure. (Many people around here continue to fail at composting without it, but I have managed to convert a few friends to the dark side.)

Anyway, I am really excited about the possibilities of the torch table, while I’m sure it won’t be easy. In fact, I’ll view it as almost magic to see something home built actually cut steel like butter on command.

]]> By: Lawrence http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42212 Lawrence Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:08:57 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42212 We are considering it, and some of the design decisions we made were to support it. Most of the design decisions were to support plasma or Oxy-Acetylene cutting. Future versions will be more stable as problems crop up, and should support more types of heads. We are considering it, and some of the design decisions we made were to support it. Most of the design decisions were to support plasma or Oxy-Acetylene cutting. Future versions will be more stable as problems crop up, and should support more types of heads.

]]> By: Lucas http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42122 Lucas Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:43:53 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42122 Wow. And maybe it's a matter of changing the "cutting head"? Not plasma but a drill? It's getting even more exciting, yes. Wow.

And maybe it’s a matter of changing the “cutting head”? Not plasma but a drill?

It’s getting even more exciting, yes.

]]> By: Lawrence http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42111 Lawrence Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:54:06 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42111 The torch table "might do wood." The problem is that non conducting things like plastics, glass, wood, etc won't by themselves create a path for the electrons to go through (plasma is a super hot electrically conductive gas). However, and this isn't something they do in most shops, but you can place a conductive object, like steel plate, and use the extreme temperatures generated to slowly burn your way through your non-conducting material. The short answer, is that it will do aluminum and steel so it would be ideal for making grid beams from stock square tube. For the cutting of wood, we are going to take a few days once we get the thing going to experiment with what we can cut with the thing. What I'm most excited about is gouging,(which is a known technique) on a spinning lathe. Because plasma cutters don't contact the material, you'll be able to get rid of all the heavy and expensive mass in a traditional lathe. They use this technique for precision parts, and I really want to see what kind of finish this cheap model produces. What I am really dreaming of are being able to cut screws, which would mean that version 2 of the Torch Table can cut from stock almost all of its pieces. The torch table “might do wood.” The problem is that non conducting things like plastics, glass, wood, etc won’t by themselves create a path for the electrons to go through (plasma is a super hot electrically conductive gas). However, and this isn’t something they do in most shops, but you can place a conductive object, like steel plate, and use the extreme temperatures generated to slowly burn your way through your non-conducting material. The short answer, is that it will do aluminum and steel so it would be ideal for making grid beams from stock square tube. For the cutting of wood, we are going to take a few days once we get the thing going to experiment with what we can cut with the thing.

What I’m most excited about is gouging,(which is a known technique) on a spinning lathe. Because plasma cutters don’t contact the material, you’ll be able to get rid of all the heavy and expensive mass in a traditional lathe. They use this technique for precision parts, and I really want to see what kind of finish this cheap model produces. What I am really dreaming of are being able to cut screws, which would mean that version 2 of the Torch Table can cut from stock almost all of its pieces.

]]> By: Lucas http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42069 Lucas Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:59:18 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42069 Darn. I contributed a bit, not "for profit" but "for loss", and now I feel, argh!, _paid_ by Laurence's excelent report. So, if I want to keep at my previous "for loss" level, do I have to chip in again? ;-) Seriously, now, I'm getting more and more excited about the possibility to have "open source fab labs" all over the place. Some will do reprapping, some will do tabletorching, some will do both. Some may start with commercial fab labs and then build open source counterparts, just like Stallman and Torvalds and others used commercial computer-language compilers to build "free" ones. One question. Will the TT do wood too? There's http://www.gridbeamers.com And glass and (recycled) plastic? The IDDS folks from MIT, or was it afrigadget folks, have found ways to use recycled plastic for a number of things. Again, and as usual, Thanks! Darn.

I contributed a bit, not “for profit” but “for loss”, and now I feel, argh!, _paid_ by Laurence’s excelent report.

So, if I want to keep at my previous “for loss” level, do I have to chip in again? ;-)

Seriously, now, I’m getting more and more excited about the possibility to have “open source fab labs” all over the place. Some will do reprapping, some will do tabletorching, some will do both. Some may start with commercial fab labs and then build open source counterparts, just like Stallman and Torvalds and others used commercial computer-language compilers to build “free” ones.

One question. Will the TT do wood too? There’s http://www.gridbeamers.com And glass and (recycled) plastic? The IDDS folks from MIT, or was it afrigadget folks, have found ways to use recycled plastic for a number of things.

Again, and as usual, Thanks!

]]> By: Edward http://blog.opensourceecology.org/2009/09/on-the-nature-of-one-month-project-visits/comment-page-1/#comment-42019 Edward Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:25:37 +0000 http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1079#comment-42019 Amazing Job, Lawrence. You are an inspiration! Amazing Job, Lawrence. You are an inspiration!

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