Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

OSE Europe/UK

2012-01-03T13:40:14Z

Christopher Fraser: /* First OSE community in the UK */

{{OSE Europe}}
We are in the process of forming UK OSE Community. Please contact Eugene at: oseuk (dot) coop (at) gmail (dot) com

=First OSE community in the UK=
If you are interested in creating the first Open Source Ecology community in the UK, please add your name and contacts to the list. Please write "farmer" if you are a farmer interested in hosting OSE trial period, use of tools, in a need of help or "enthusiast" who is willing to commit yourself to working at OSE project or "supporter" who will be interested to come and help with whatever skills you have or difine yourself. We are aiming to unite a diverse group of people working towards common goal:

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ First OSE community in UK
|-
! scope="col" | User page
! scope="col" width="100" | Email
! scope="col" | Chat/IM
! scope="col" | Your involvement
! scope="col" | Where are you based at the moment
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Comments
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Vision
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Time available: h/week
|-
| [[Eugene Kazlou]] || eugene __aat_ ostech-electronics.co.uk || skype: li-eugene || enthusiast || Gloucestershire, UK || || ||||
|-
| [[Will Cleaver]] || willcleaver __aat_ gmail.com || skype: williamcleaver || enthusiast || London & Durham UK || Forestry Commission contacts || ||||
|-
| [[Daniel Connell]] || solarflower.org __aat_ gmail.com || skype: sugarandfat || enthusiast || Various || ||||
|-
| [[Jamie Clarke]] || jamieclarke333@googlemail.com || zSkype || entusiast || Essex UK || Stawbale building, geodesic domes and more||||Z-months a year & z-h/week
|-
| [[Mark Norton]] || markjnorton __aat_ earthlink.net || skype: nolaria|| supporter|| New York, USA|| I can't directly participate in building a UK OSE community, but I'm happy provide comments and constructive criticism.||||
|-
| [[Alvaro F Boirac]] || alphydan __aat_ gmail _dot_ com || skype: alvaro.feito || enthusiast|| Isle of Wight, UK|| Expertise in Wind Energy, Programming, appropriate technology
||||currently 2-4h/week. 2012: full sporadic weeks
|-
| [[Mark van Harmelen]] || markvanharmelen atsign gmail.com || skype: markvanharmelen|| supporter / enthusiast|| Manchester/London||Computer/web, basic fabrication, building, research skills||adoption in africa ||1+hrs/week||
|-
| [[Christopher Fraser]] || chrisf at goop dot org || || enthusiast|| London || Electronics and fabrication || Low energy building || Various ||
|-
|}

OSE Europe/UK

2012-01-03T13:39:36Z

Christopher Fraser:

{{OSE Europe}}
We are in the process of forming UK OSE Community. Please contact Eugene at: oseuk (dot) coop (at) gmail (dot) com

=First OSE community in the UK=
If you are interested in creating the first Open Source Ecology community in the UK, please add your name and contacts to the list. Please write "farmer" if you are a farmer interested in hosting OSE trial period, use of tools, in a need of help or "enthusiast" who is willing to commit yourself to working at OSE project or "supporter" who will be interested to come and help with whatever skills you have or difine yourself. We are aiming to unite a diverse group of people working towards common goal:

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ First OSE community in UK
|-
! scope="col" | User page
! scope="col" width="100" | Email
! scope="col" | Chat/IM
! scope="col" | Your involvement
! scope="col" | Where are you based at the moment
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Comments
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Vision
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Time available: h/week
|-
| [[Eugene Kazlou]] || eugene __aat_ ostech-electronics.co.uk || skype: li-eugene || enthusiast || Gloucestershire, UK || || ||||
|-
| [[Will Cleaver]] || willcleaver __aat_ gmail.com || skype: williamcleaver || enthusiast || London & Durham UK || Forestry Commission contacts || ||||
|-
| [[Daniel Connell]] || solarflower.org __aat_ gmail.com || skype: sugarandfat || enthusiast || Various || ||||
|-
| [[Jamie Clarke || jamieclarke333@googlemail.com || zSkype || entusiast || Essex UK || Stawbale building, geodesic domes and more||||Z-months a year & z-h/week
|-
| [[Mark Norton]] || markjnorton __aat_ earthlink.net || skype: nolaria|| supporter|| New York, USA|| I can't directly participate in building a UK OSE community, but I'm happy provide comments and constructive criticism.||||
|-
| [[Alvaro F Boirac]] || alphydan __aat_ gmail _dot_ com || skype: alvaro.feito || enthusiast|| Isle of Wight, UK|| Expertise in Wind Energy, Programming, appropriate technology
||||currently 2-4h/week. 2012: full sporadic weeks
|-
| [[Mark van Harmelen]] || markvanharmelen atsign gmail.com || skype: markvanharmelen|| supporter / enthusiast|| Manchester/London||Computer/web, basic fabrication, building, research skills||adoption in africa ||1+hrs/week||
|-
| [[Christopher Fraser]] || chrisf at goop dot org || || enthusiast|| London || Electronics and fabrication || Low energy building || Various ||
|-
|}

OSE Europe

2011-09-21T13:22:25Z

Christopher Fraser: /* First OSE community in Europe */

This page will contain the information on people and projects connected to Open Source Ecology from Europe.
=OSE Europe Foundation Charter=

Open Source Ecology Europe is chartered for the purpose of furthering the goals of Open Source Ecology, based in Missouri, US. It will adhere to the goals as determined by OSE International. Its aim is to provide a regional structure that will work towards the completion of the GVCS 50 by January 2013. It is a European group in which local chapters and individuals can come together to raise monies for the GVSC 50 prototyping. It is a networking organisation that allows people to meet like-minded OSEEr’s. OSE Europe is considered a branch of the central OSE organization. After January 2013 assuming the deliverables have been met, It will co-ordinate the efforts of
European local chapter and Village activities to promote OSE concepts including the GVCS technologies, abundance based economies, sustainable agriculture, and cooperative living. This will be achieved through educating and informing people on the topic of open source technology and lifestyle. Any funding generated will go to the development of the Global Village Construction Set at Factor e Farm until the January 2013. After which the OSEE governance rules will apply.

=First OSE community in Europe=

If you are interested in creating the first Open Source Ecology community in Europe, please add your name and contacts to the list:

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ First OSE community in Europe
|-
! scope="col" | User page
! scope="col" width="100" | Email
! scope="col" | Skype
! scope="col" | Origin (country)
! scope="col" | Living in (country)
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Comments
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Vision
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Time available: h/week
|-
| [[Nikolay Georgiev]] || nikolay (at) opensourceecology.org || nikolay.h.georgiev || Bulgaria || Germany || x || [[OSE_Europe/Nikolay_Georgiev|My Vision]] || 8-10h/day, since 13. July
|-
| [[Stefan Raabe]] || raabe.stefan (at) googlemail.com || || Germany || Germany || http://kombinatg.org|| ||
|-
| [[Sasha Mrkailo]] || mrkflux (at) gmail.com || || Serbia || Serbia || Love to see this materialise in Europe! http://www.sashamrkailo.com/blog|| ||
|-
| [[Alvaro Bahls]] || alvarobahls (at) googlemail.com || || Brazil || Czech Republic || x|| ||
|-
| [[Andreas Gmeiner]] || GmeinerAndreas (at) gmx.de || || Germany || Germany || [http://www.uharc.net/wiki/planraum:ose planraum->ose] || [[OSE_Europe/Andreas_Gmeiner|My Vision]]||
|-
| [http://www.youtube.com/user/Willcleaver?feature=mhee Will Cleaver] || willcleaver (at) gmail.com || williamcleaver || England || England || x|| ||
|-
| [[Alex Ford]] || alex665321 (at) hotmail.com || || United Kingdom || Bulgaria || x|| ||
|-
| [[Robin Bäckman]] || robinbackman (at) gmail.com || || Finland || Finland || x|| ||
|-
| [[Robert Anteau]] || anteau (at) hushmail (dot) com || || Netherlands || Netherlands || x|| ||
|-
| [[Alvaro F Boirac]] || alphydan (at) gmail (dot) com || || Europe || United Kingdom || x|| [[Open_Source_Ecology_Europe/AlvaroFBoirac|test]]||2-3 h/week. More after Dec. 11
|-
| [[Ino D. Fleischmann]] || ino.fleischmann (at) gmail (dot) com || || Germany || Germany, Berlin || x|| ||
|-
| [[Miquel Torres]] || tobami (at) gmail (dot) com || || Spain || Germany || x|| ||
|-
| [[Alexander F. Lieders]] || cicnos (at) gmail.com || || Brazil || Czech Republic || x|| ||
|-
| [[Evgeni Pandurski]] || epandurski (at) gmail (dot) com || || Bulgaria || Bulgaria || x|| ||
|-
| [[Eerik Wissenz]] || wissenz (at) gmail (dot) com || || Finland || Finland || x|| ||
|-
| [[Angel Imaz]] || angel (at) hiruki (dot) eu || angel.imaz || Spain || Spain || True Fan, OSE Evangelist|| ||
|-
| [[User:javipk|Javier Rivera]] || javipk (at) gmail (dot) com || || Spain || Spain || already true fan|| ||
|-
| [http://www.jeremyblum.com Jeremy Blum] || jeremy (at) jeremyblum (dot) com || || USA || USA || happy to provide advice remotely!|| ||
|-
| [[Johan van der Hoek]] || jvanderhoek (at) gmail (dot) com || || Netherlands || Netherlands || x|| ||
|-
| [[Arthur Kulik]] || arthur (dot) kulik (at) gmail (dot) com || arthur_kulik || Ukraine || Ukraine || x|| ||
|-
| [[Denis Mongin]] || denis (dot) mongin (at) gmail (dot) com || || France || France || x|| ||
|-
| [[Nicol Andre Berdelle]] || info (at) prototype-creation (dot) de || || Germany || Germany || http://www.prototype-creation.de || ||
|-
| [[Joe Hudson]] || joe (dot) hudson (at) gmail (dot) com || || United Kingdom || United Kingdom || x|| ||
|-
| [[Denis Durmishi]] || zdenman (at) gmail (dot) com || denis.durmisi || Macedonia || Germany || x|| ||
|-
| [[Florin Birgu]] || florin.birgu (at) cyburg (dot) eu || cyburg.eu || Romania || Romania || http://www.cyburg.eu|| ||
|-
| [[Edward Hines]] || Edward (at) tmafrance (dot) com|| edwardhai || England|| France|| http://www.tmafrance.com|| ||
|-
| Andres G. Aragoneses || knocte [at] gmail [dot] com || knocte || Spain || United Kingdom || Awesome idea!!!|| ||
|-
| Claudia Bosch || claudiabosch [at] daad-alumni [dot] de || claudia.bosch || Germany || United Kingdom || || ||
|-
| Samuel Rodrigues || samuel (dot) gros (at) gmail (dot) com || samuel.gros.rodrigues || Portugal || Portugal || http://www.sitiocoop.com/|| ||
|-
| Eduardo Riesco || eduardo (dot) riesco (at)gmail (dot) com || eduardo.riesco || Spain || Spain || eduardoriesco.org|| ||
|-
| Tomaž Žlender || tomaz (dot) zlender (at) gmail.com || tomazzlender || Slovenia || Slovenia || x|| ||
|-
| Josef Davies-Coates || josef (at) uniteddiversity.com || jdaviescoates || London, UK || London, UK || I've got 5 acres of land in Spain to contribute to this project! See http://buildingman.org|| ||
|-
| [[User:Matt | Matthieu Laneuville]] || mlaneuville _at_ gmail _dot _ com || mlaneuville || France || France || -|| ||
|-
| Ivan Garcia || capiscuas _at_ gmail _dot _ com || ivangarcia1982 || Spain || VietNam || already true fan|| ||
|-
| Pedro Correia || pcorreia at development-association dot org || || Portugal || Germany || OSE Evangelist and Biz Developer|| ||
|-
| Jose Bravo || monoverso (at) hotmail (dot) com || || Spain || France || metal worker and welder || ||
|-
| [[Luke Devlin]] || mail (at) lukedevl.in || luke-devlin || Scotland || Scotland || http://lukedevl.in Human Ecologist|| ||
|-
| [[Mike Lowther]] || mlowther11 _at_ gmail _dot_ com || spannamike || UK || UK || x|| ||
|-
| [[Juris Kudiņš]] || juris_dott_kudins __aat_ gmail _doot_ com || || Latvia || Latvia || x|| ||
|-
| [[Dirk Janssen]] || Dirk (dot) janssen1980 (at) gmail (dot) com || || Netherlands || Netherlands || x|| ||
|-
| [[Mark J Norton]] || markjnorton (at) earthlink (dot) net || nolaria || Northeast USA || Upstate New York|| Figured I was already involved, so why not commit fully?|| ||
|-
| [[Anu M]] || anu (at) fabfolk (dot) com || || Finland || Netherlands || Been following OSEcology for a while with interest & currently working with Fablabs || ||
|-
| [[Yoonseo Kang]] || msn149 (at) hotmail (dot) com || yoonseo (dot) kang1 || South Korea || Canada || Interested in continuing OSE development with full commitment|| ||
|-
| [[Branislav Misovic(Branko) ]] || braniti (at) gmail.com || branko_nl || Croatia || Netherlands || OSE Live long and prosperous _\\// |||| 4h/week (From Sept.2011)
|-
| Eugene Kazlou || eugene __aat_ ostech-electronics.co.uk || li-eugene || Belarus || UK || || [[OSE_Europe/Eugene_Kazlou|My Vision]] ||||
|-
| Franz Nahrada || f.nahrada (at) reflex.at || globalvillagesinfo || Austria || Austria || networking||||not yet cklear
|-
| Jalil Wahdatehagh || j.wahdatehagh (at) googlemail.com || j.wahdatehagh || Germany || Austria || studying information design || || 1-2h/week; 2-3weeks/year
|-
| Christopher Fraser || chrisf (at) goop dot org || || Australia || UK || |||| Up to 20h/w?
|-
| zAdd yourself as a copy of this entry || zWith your email || zSkype || zOrigin || zLiving || zComments (leave "z" for nicer sorted display)||||Z-months a year & z-h/week
|}

Join the [https://www.facebook.com/OpenSourceEcologyEurope Facebook Page].

=Communication=
Please subscribe to the [https://groups.google.com/group/ose-europe/ OSE Europe Google Group] and join our [[OSE_Europe/Online_Meetings|Conference call]].

==Google Group==
Join our mailing list at [https://groups.google.com/group/ose-europe OSE Europe Google Group].

==Mailing List==
Please add your name and email to the [[OSE_Europe/Mailinglist|Mailinglist]]

= Share your Vision =

Share your Vision with us! We are all coming from different backgrounds with different ideas and different feelings what should be done next in Europe. As there are many people interested in the project give us your Vision what OSE in Europe should be about.

Create a subpage like [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Open_Source_Ecology_Europe/Firstname_Lastname this] or put it on another place in the web you like and add the link to the column above.

Don't read Vision Papers of other people before you write your own, so you will be unbiased. You also can put your Vision below your Team Culturing you personal wiki page, as the Vision is somehow an extension of the Team Culturing with more bias on the emotional and motivational stuff.

Put in the vision paper what you expect of OSE Europe. What you want to happen, how you see it in three years, and how you contributed to this process. Put in everything what you can think of, but don't get (too) unrealistic. This will help us all to get a common foundation and what to do next.

Your Vision can of course be in every format you like. Audio, Video or Written or what you can think of. Feel free to do choose your media. More about the idead behind sharing your vision you can find [http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Open_Source_Ecology_Europe/Vision here]

==Goals==

OSE Europe will be an [[OSE Regional Charter|OSE Regional Group]]. The main goals will be defined soon.

What will be the goals of OSE Europe? There are several possibilities, not mutually exclusive:

* OSE Advocacy and "Publicity" in Europe
* An open business, where people can work for a living building and selling products using OSE technology
* A FactoreFarm for Europe: Means developing tools in parallel with the current Factor e Farm.
* A community: creating a self sustaining village using the GVCS

=Subpages=

Some of the work we're doing is in subpages:

* [http://opensourceecology.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3APrefixIndex&prefix=OSE+Europe&namespace=0|Subpages related to OSE Europe]
* [http://opensourceecology.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3APrefixIndex&prefix=OSE+Regional+Charter&namespace=0|Subpages related to OSE Regional Charter]

[[Category:People]]

Wind Turbine

2011-09-15T23:50:29Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Vertical Axis Wind Turbine|Vertical-axis wind turbines */

{{GVCS Header}}

[[Image:WindTurbine.png|thumb|400px|Wind Turbine]]

Open Source Ecology is involved in researching, developing and building open-source technologies for clean, local electricity-generation. As well as [[:Category:Solar Power|solar power]], we like wind power. Wind power or solar or both may be appropriate, depending on local materials and local weather conditions.

Specifically, we are interested in open-source designs for a wind turbine that can provide electricity for a small community. Small wind turbines like this are usually 7 feet (2m) to 25 feet (7.6m) in diameter.

==Design specifications==
{{Wanted|We need to define exactly what we need from our wind turbine. Edit this list.}}
*'''Scalability''' - scalable from ??? to ???
*'''Low-cost''' - must cost less than $1 per installed watt and $0.05/kWh produced on a medium speed site (6m/s average speed [13.4mph, 21.6km/h])
*'''CAD files''' to allow parts to be digitally fabricated. We could just take an existing open-source design, and get one of our draftsmen to make the CAD file. Good CAD files could allow for scalable digital fabrication: the blades could be printed in a range of sizes, depending on what you need

==Existing open-source wind turbines==
Several wind turbines have already been open-sourced and it should be possible to use them for the [[Global Village Construction Set]]:

*[http://www.applied-sciences.net/library/zoetrope.php '''Zoetrope'''] is a vertical-axis wind turbine made from common materials such as stove pipe, metal brackets, plastic sheet and a trailer hub. Generates about 150-200W in winds of 20mph (32km/h). [http://www.applied-sciences.net/library/data/zoetrope-wind-turbine.pdf Construction Guide]. The major parts are: [http://69.175.14.181/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_30&products_id=175&osCsid=11bdc6671edf38fcc578ca1da051f8d8 parts kit for $159] (unless you could order one from a Fab Lab/ a hackerspace with a water-jet cutter), [http://www.amazon.com/2x1x1-Turbine-Generator-Neodymium-Magnets/dp/B0012DIXE4 24 neodymium magnets for $140], [http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hubs-and-Drums/Dexter/34822BX.html?feed=npn trailer hub for $26]. There are also a bunch of pieces like nuts and bolts, but those are the main one, and come to $425 excluding shipping.
*[http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_wind.shtml OtherPower.com] have several complete plans for wind turbines that can be built at home. Their site has -
**[http://www.otherpower.com/turbineplans.shtml Complete plans for a 10 foot (3m) turbine] that puts out 100W in 10mph (16km/h) winds and 700W in 25mph (40km/h) winds.
**[http://www.otherpower.com/bigmills1.html Design of a 14 foot (4.25m) turbine] that does 200W in 10mph (16km/h) winds and 1500W in 25mph (40km/h) winds. This is the record of a project rather than a replicable open-source design.
*[http://www.velacreations.com/chispito.html '''Chispito''' Wind Generator]. Chispito is made from recycled/salvaged materials, completely open-source with clear instructions and designed for simplicity. Open-source instructions for building both the turbine and the tower are available. Each turbine generates about 100W; most people seem to use a bunch of them. This is probably smaller that what we are looking for.
*http://www.scoraigwind.com/ has a lot of information on wind turbines, but no fully open-source plan
*[http://www.scoraigwind.com/pmgbooklet/itpmg.pdf Open source alternator] for wind turbines
*[http://www.onawi.org Onawi] is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing open-source wind turbines. No signs of progress yet, but watch this space.

==What kind of turbine?==
The first design decision we have to make is which kind of wind generator best suits our needs

===Vertical Axis Wind Turbine|Vertical-axis wind turbines===
[[File:Pac_wind.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Pacwind VAWT Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Seahawk]]
Verical Axis Wind Turbines or VAWTs offer a number of advantages over traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). With careful layout they can be [http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13430 packed closer together] in wind farms, allowing more in a given space. This is not because they are smaller, but rather due to the slowing effect on the air that HAWTs have, forcing designers to separate them by ten times their width. VAWTs are rugged, quiet, omni-directional, and they do not create as much stress on the support structure. They do not require as much wind to generate power, thus allowing them to be closer to the ground. By being closer to the ground they are easily maintained and can be installed on chimneys and similar tall structures.

In addition, by being closer to the ground, VAWTs have the ability to take advantage of the tunnelling effects of small buildings and structures (provided the structures are build close enough) small VAWTs are also used in corners of buildings (usually the corner of a balcony).

Although VAWTs are not as efficient as HAWTs they are considered more reliable and much easier to maintain. Some disadvantages of VAWT are:

* Some designs are non-self starting
* Blade that moves ''into the wind'' also moves ''against'' the wind, slowing down the turbine. This could be addressed by a shield that adjusts to the direction of the wind and covers the blade that moves into the wind. This could be done with some kind of vane. However, this would complicate the design significantly, incl. bearings for the shield. So this may not be worth it ... probably easier to just build more VAWTs or build them bigger. But who knows ? Come up with a good sail/shield design and this might be just the breakthrough that VAWTs have been waiting for.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorlov_helical_turbine Gorlov helical turbine] design which solves the pulsatory torque experienced by the blades during each revolution is patented.

A good step by step guide can be found on [http://www.instructables.com/id/VAWT-Lenz-type-Stage-1-Converting-wind-power-to-/ this link]: a small Savonius wind turbine that takes advantage of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect Venturi effect].

There is a small scale printable VAWT on thingiverse http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6899

===Horizontal-axis wind turbines===

===Airborne wind turbines===
A turbine attached to a lighter-than-air ballooon, such as being developed by [http://www.magenn.com/ Magenn]. I think we can reject this as too complex and too experimental for our purposes.

#[http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=2is6AAAAEBAJ Wind driven apparatus for power generation] - expired patent for a tethered airborne turbine. This design generates power at the turbine and transmits it to the ground.
#[http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:High_Altitude_Wind_Power High Altitude Wind Power at PESwiki]

===Kite generators===
A high-flying power kite tethered to a generator on the ground. The kite tugs on the tether, which spins a turbine and generates electricity. All the machinery can be kept at ground level; only the sail is airborne. This allows for easy maintenance.

The two main advantages of this design are that reaches the more powerful winds higher up, and it may come in cheaper than a turbine. [http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/8602/report/F This] report from the WPI Kite Power Team says there is an "anticipated 50% cost savings over wind turbines".

We can probably buy an off-the-shelf power kite. [http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/397570670-Kite-Power-Kite-Sport-Kite-5sqm-Sail-Area-Power-Tricktion-Kite-Quad-line-Control-wholesalers.html Here] is a 5m2 one for $166. [http://www.virtualvillage.com/Items/003300-010 Here] is a 2.7m2 one for $14. [http://www.powerkiteshop.com/ozone_method.htm This] seems to be a top-of-the-range one - it's $600 for 6.5m2. Alternatively, we could try to build our own kite.

This would need to be attached to the open-source [[electric motor]] we're designing, and a microcontroller. All the hardware is on the ground, which makes maintenance and set-up easier. The control will be the main design challenge.

#Ecoble article: [http://ecoble.com/2008/08/26/wind-power-generated-from-kites/ Wind Power Generated From Kites]
#at Delft University of Technology:[http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/08/05/kite-power-delft-univerity-of-technology/ Kite Power Could Generate Energy for 100,000 Homes]
#Autopilot [http://diydrones.com/profiles/blog/show?id=705844%3ABlogPost%3A44813 Arduino board for drones]
#[http://www.ted.com/talks/saul_griffith_on_kites_as_the_future_of_renewable_energy.html Saul Griffith on kites as the future of renewable energy]
#[http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042607-112625/unrestricted/Wind_Power_from_Kites.pdf Academic project assessing feasibility of kite power] (link is to a 109 page pdf file). Gives technical details of the mechanism. Estimates 500W from a 2m2 kite if the average wind speed in 8m/s
#http://climatelab.org/Airborne_Wind_Energy_Systems
#[http://www2.me.wpi.edu/wpi-kites/index.php/Main_Page WPI Kite Power Wiki] - ''"dedicated to developing a new renewable energy technology - Wind Power from Kites. In this concept, large kites tethered to the ground are used to extract power from the wind. Kites can extract power more economically than wind turbines because they fly at higher heights than turbines can operate."''
#http://www.kitegen.com/en/?page_id=7

==Siting of Turbines ==
A critical step to make wind profitable or optimal is putting the turbine in the right spot or site (turbine siting). This involves two main factors: the speed of the wind and the turbulence in the wind. Since the energy available in the wind varies with (E ~ v^3) a site with slightly less speed can produce a lot less energy. Siting requires measuring the speed of the wind for at least a year with a measurement mast (or small weather station) in a spot close to the site of the turbine. There exist open-source software to then propagate the measurements (using more or less complex computational fluid dynamics) to find the speeds on the topography. One example: http://awsopenwind.org/

==References==
* [http://www.peswiki.com/index.php/Review:Homebrew_Wind_Power Homebrew Wind Power], Dan Bartmann and Dan Fink, Buckville Publications LLC., released: January 1, 2009, 320 pages,
ISBN: 978-0981920108.

== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Wind turbine|Wind turbine]]
* [[Wikipedia:Wind turbine design|Wind turbine design]]
* [[Wikipedia:Small wind turbine|Small wind turbine]]

{{GVCS Footer}}

Wind Turbine

2011-09-15T23:50:11Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Vertical Axis Wind Turbine|Vertical-axis wind turbines */

Waste Plastic Extruder: Literature Review

2011-09-15T23:26:35Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Links */

{{Template:Category=Bioplastics}}

The following literature review has been conducted as part of the Waste plastic extruder for Mech 461.

== Searches ==

Waste plastic extrusion
RepRap
Fab@home
Open Source Rapid Prototyping

== Open Source Rapid Prototype Technology and Potential Applications ==

==== J. M Pearce, C. Morris Blair, K. J. Laciak, R. Andrews, A. Nosrat and I. Zelenika-Zovko, “3-D Printing of Open Source Appropriate Technologies for Self-Directed Sustainable Development”, Journal of Sustainable Development 3(4), pp. 17-29 (2010). [http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jsd/article/view/6984 http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jsd/article/view/6984] ====

* Discusses evolution of Open Source 3D (OS3D) rapid prototyping technology.
* Expresses potential uses of OS3D as a sustainable development tool, along with increased internet access and material availability.
* Summary of potential applications and limiting factors on utility
* Identifies future areas of research to improve OS3D technologies, make them more applicable in a developing world context.
** Specifically, relating to this project, states that research is needed in creating feedstock from locally available materials.

==== Fab@home Project, www.fabathome.org.====
* Similar project to RepRap and RapMan.
* Developed at Cornell University by Hod Lipson and Evan Malone.
* Uses open source developed hardware and software. Software programs are have been specifically developed for the [mailto:Fab@home Fab@home] but are open source.
* Extrusion uses a syringe/piston based system – can handle diverse materials.

== Parallel Technologies ==

== Plastic and Plastic-Composite Materials ==

==== S.P. Ladamy, K.C. So, “Optimal Recycling of Waste Materials in a Plastic Extrusion Production Process”. European Journal of Operational Research, 79(1994), pg 13-24. ====

* Recycling process overview.
* Recyled plastic mixed with virgin material to retain engineering properties
** Less virgin material in plastic each cycle
* Authors attempt to determine optimal number of cycles of mixing reclaimed and virgin material
* Based on factors such as sale price, value of recovered waste material, raw material cost, production, etc.
* Numerical model developed to determine optimum cycling.

Relevance:

* Some useful insights into engineering properties of recycled plastics.
* Virgin material mixing may be utilized.

==== R. Hettema, J. Pasman, L.B.P.M Janssen, “Reactive Extrusion of Recycled Bottle Waste Materials”, Polymer Engineering and Science, April 2002, Vol. 42, No. 4. ====

* States challenges of plastic recycling
** mixing waste streams (ie. HDPE and PP) results in undesirable engineering properties.
** hard to recreate properties of virgin material
* Authors conducted experiments with reactive extrusion (chemicals added during process)
** peroxides added during extrusion process.
** found to be beneficial in improving properties such as toughness
* Extrusion settings also tested for effects on material properties.
** mass flow rate, screw speed and termperature tested.
** linkage found between these parameters and % elongation, Young's modulus and yield strength.

Relevance

* Reactive extrusion could be explored to improve properties of expanded materials. Need to ensure such chemicals are domestically available in a development setting.
* Extrusion parameters will have to be tested to determine optimal conditions for quality feedstock production.

== Extrusion Process and Technology ==

==== O. Vongeheur, “ Fundamentals of Extrusion”, Candy Industry. January 2008. ====
* Basic outline of extrusion processes
** describes major steps in extrusion and examines three methods – screw, piston and roller
* Originally written for Candy Industry – therefore may not apply to RepRap. But does describe mechanical processes for plastic
* Note also that RepRap extruders have been designed to extrude paste, as has the piston system of Fab@home.

== Existing Waste Plastic Extrusion Technology ==

== Links ==
* [http://www.appropedia.org/Waste_Plastic_Extruder:_Literature_Review Appropedia page that this page was transwikified from]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anqKC0i0a7Y Homemade Plastic Extrusion System]

[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Bioplastics]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

Induction Furnace/Research Development

2011-09-15T23:20:54Z

Christopher Fraser: /* External Links */

{{GVCS Header}}

==Overview==
Research in creating the [[Induction Furnace]] with the goal of creating a design that fully complies with [[OSE Spec]].

==Research==

* [[:Category: Induction Furnace]]
* [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/category/global-village-construction-set/induction-furnace/ Induction Furnace blog posts]
* [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/forum/induction-furnace/ Induction Furnace Forum]

Project management site: http://openpario.mime.oregonstate.edu/projects/osif

==Introduction==

The Open Source Induction Furnace Project seems to be the most promising way to implement the [[foundry]].
This project involves the design of:
* a high-power induction furnace circuit (between 20 and 50 kW), and
* the melting chamber proper.

Well, we could buy a turnkey system perhaps for $5k total used, and run it from the LifeTrac generator. The only disadvantage to this route is that if it breaks we’re dead-in-the-water – either with the impossibility of fixing closed-source technology, or a high repair bill. A single component which blows and is inaccessible for fixing could in principle turn a working power supply into worthless junk. Thus, it is worthwhile to tame this technology by open-sourcing the design.

==Goals==

To fulfill our [[foundry]] goals,
The furnace should have the following characteristics:

#Induction furnace or any other technology that can do this within a budget of 20 kW of electric input, with minimal pollution
#Suitable for melting all metals and alloying
#300 lb per hour steel melting furnace for casting
#240 v ac, 20 kW power source available

==Conceptual Diagram==

This is a conceptual diagram of the entire Induction Furnace system from the [[Global Village Construction Set]]. The furnace is powered by 20 kW of 240VAC electricity from the [[LifeTrac]] generator. The entire system includes the power electronics, induction coil, and heating vessel - into which metal for melting is inserted. This diagram intends to document the relationship of functional components in the induction furnace system, as a basis for technical development of components and their integration.

The electronics part should be adaptable to different metals and different metal melting coil geometries. Melting coils should also be modular, such that the power electronics can feed different coils. Basic functions include selection of heating frequencies, which are required for melting different metals or metal geometries. There should be a feedback in the electronics, where the amount of power given to the coil should match the quantity/geometry of metal being melted.

[[Image:induction_concept.jpg]]

==Details==
The complete design should include all of the following:

===Induction Furnace Circuit===
# Scalable from 20 up to 50 kW in units of 1 or 5 kW
# Allows for power and frequency selection
# Power source may be either 1 or 3 phase electrical power

===Heat Dissipation System===
Specifications of a cooling or heat dissipation system.

===Coil===
# Modular, adaptable design specifications for primary coil windings

===Melt Chamber===
# Geometical design of melt chamber and basic power transfer calculations
# Should include provisions for loading and pouring
# Given our goals, which is best: a coreless or a channel induction furnace type [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-induction-furnace.htm] ?
## channel: useful in the melting of lower melt temperature metals; less turbulence at the surface.
## coreless: stronger stirring
# Pouring: manual pouring methods are more suited to low volume production lines.
====Crucible====
* See: Crucibles for Induction Melting - Guidelines for Selection and Use: http://www.engineeredceramics.com/crucible.htm

===Other Considerations===
# Complete bill of materials
# Fabrication files for circuit and other components
# Sourcing information for components
# System design and process flow drawings

==Notes==
===Benny===
I just read that you plan to build up an induction furnace. That´s a an interesting and exciting plan.While reading the article some remarks came to my mind.

But before I want to introduce myself:

I am Benny from Germany, Hannover.
I am diploma engineer for electrotechnology and working at the university. I am dealing with some induction heating/ melting applications like induction melting of glasses (that is possible!) and induction furnaces for cast iron.

Some remarks from my point of view:

# It is possible to build up a low cost furnace with the mentioned parameters.
# The frequency of 9,6 kHz is much to high. The efficiancy will be so bad, that it will be hardly possible to melt steel or iron. Due to the small penetration depth of about 2 mm with this frequency and this electrical resistance. So it needs a really small diameter of the crucible, and thats not helpful. Also the refractory material will be strained too much, so that a small lifetime is given. This will raise the cost for the operating.
# 50 Hz or 60 Hz is a better solution. And you can save the cost for the hf-converter.
# How much material do you want to cast at one time? The maximum, what i expect to be possible with 50 kW will be about 50 to 60 kg.
# What kind of raw material should be charged? It is important for the starting, because the initial density should not be too small (packing density). And the other question is, what kind of scrap it will be.
There are so many problems known with content of zinc (hot zinc dipped) and other materials. The lifetime of common refractory material is really small. And what is more important the security for the personal is not given without a strong exhaust system, due to the toxic steam. I expect this as a strong cost factor.

===Power Supply===
*50 kW for $1600 - [http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200415768835&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=L*F%3F&GUID=1357ab741250a0265337bec7ff94d6a7&itemid=200415768835&ff4=263602_263622]
*20 kw STC 3 phase 120 - 480V, also 1 phase - generator - $692 -[http://cgi.ebay.com/20kw-STC-3-Phase-277-480-12-Wire-generator-Head-altern_W0QQitemZ160369799644QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Generators?hash=item2556c8f1dc]
*50 kw STC 3 phase- $1300 - [http://cgi.ebay.com/50KW-STC-3-Phase-12-Wire-generator-alternator_W0QQitemZ160357088416QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Generators?hash=item255606fca0]
**LifeTrac 55 hp can produce 38 kW with this head

===Melt Calculations===
[[Image:inductioncalc.jpg]]

==Wiki Links==

[[Foundry]]

[[Induction Furnace Request for Bids]]

==External Links==
* [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=1373 Original Blog Post]

===Resources===
* [http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/hobbies/induction-furnace-and-cupola-furnace-information.html Articlesfactory: Furnace Selection]
* [http://inductionheater.org/ Inductionheater.org]
* [http://www.dansworkshop.com/electricity-and-electronics/induction-heating.htm Dansworkshop: Induction Heating]
* [http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/electricityinduction.htm Educypedia: Induction-related Articles]
* [[Appropedia: Induction Heating]]
* [http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat7.html] Home made induction heater
* [http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ Allaboutcircuits: Articles on Electricity and Electronics]
* [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3798344.html 1974 US Patent 3798344] Channel Type Induction Furnace (Many induction furnace patents are more than 20 years old, and therefore public domain.)

===DIY Furnaces===
*http://www.richieburnett.co.uk/indheat.html
*http://www.hvguy.4hv.org/ih/
*http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat1.html
* [http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat9.html Achieved 10 kW]; Induction Furnace Kit: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat8.html
*http://www.dansworkshop.com/electricity-and-electronics/induction-heating.htm
* [http://www.fluxeon.com/Roy1200open.html Roy 1200] is an open source induction heater. Fluxeon sell a [http://elitelam.dot5hosting.com/store/page3.html kit versions] between $196.50 and $326.31 depending on whether all parts are included.

===Commercial===
*Commercial induction furnace power supplies from Superior Induction - [http://www.superiorinduction.com/?gclid=CO2fgNqPtZkCFRAhDQodqjeo5Q]
*EPRI works with induction - The EPRI Center for Materials Production at Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA, 412-268-3243
* [http://www.made-in-china.com/productdirectory.do?subaction=hunt&mode=and&style=b&isOpenCorrection=1&word=induction+furnace&comProvince=nolimit&code=QimLEmnJSxJQ List of chinese induction furnace manufacturers]

===Forum Posts===
* You can start your own discussions on our [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/forum/induction-furnace/ Open Source Induction Furnace Forum]
* CNC Zone - Induction furnace topic: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13545
* Metal Casting Zone - Furnace Info: http://www.metalcastingzone.com/metal-casting-forum/casting-furnaces
* Metal and Metallurgy engineering Forum: http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=330&page=1
* Electronics and electricity: http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/
* Electronics: http://www.electro-tech-online.com/
If you think there are missing or incorrect details here, please help correct that.

==See Also==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_furnace Wikipedia: Induction Furnace]

{{GVCS Footer}}

Induction Furnace

2011-09-15T23:15:39Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Details */

{{GVCS Header}}

{{Template:Category=Induction furnace}}

==Overview==
[[Image:InductionFurnace.png|thumb|400px|[[Induction Furnace]]]]

An induction furnace is an electrical furnace in which the heat is applied by induction heating of metal.

==Details==
The advantage of the induction furnace is a clean, energy-efficient and well-controllable melting process compared to most other means of metal melting. Most modern foundries use this type of furnace and now also more iron foundries are replacing cupolas with induction furnaces to melt cast iron, as the former emit lots of dust and other pollutants. Induction furnace capacities range from less than one kilogram to one hundred tonnes capacity and are used to melt iron and steel, copper, aluminium and precious metals. Since no arc or combustion is used, the temperature of the material is no higher than required to melt it; this can prevent loss of valuable alloying elements.[1] The one major drawback to induction furnace usage in a foundry is the lack of refining capacity; charge materials must be clean of oxidation products and of a known composition and some alloying elements may be lost due to oxidation (and must be re-added to the melt).

Operating frequencies range from utility frequency (50 or 60 Hz) to 400 kHz or higher, usually depending on the material being melted, the capacity (volume) of the furnace and the melting speed required. Generally, the smaller the volume of the melts, the higher the frequency of the furnace used; this is due to the skin depth which is a measure of the distance an alternating current can penetrate beneath the surface of a conductor. For the same conductivity, the higher frequencies have a shallow skin depth - that is less penetration into the melt. Lower frequencies can generate stirring or turbulence in the metal.
A preheated, 1-tonne furnace melting iron can melt cold charge to tapping readiness within an hour. Power supplies range from 10 kW to 15 MW, with melt sizes of 20 kg to 30 tonne of metal respectively.

An operating induction furnace usually emits a hum or whine (due to magnetostriction), the pitch of which can be used by operators to identify whether the furnace is operating correctly or at what power level.

==Product Ecology==

'''Uses'''
*[[UPS]] - Power

'''Creates'''
*[[Steel]] - [[GVCS]] (pretty much every machine depends on this)

See [[Product Ecologies]] for more information.

==Components==

[[File:Induction concept.jpg]]

*Induction Furnace Circuit
*Heat Dissipation System
*Coil
*Melt Chamber
*Feeder
*Crucible

==Status==
The '''Induction Furnace''' is currently in the [[Induction Furnace/Research Development|research phase of product development]].

==See Also==
*[[Spectrometer]]
*[[Foundry]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_furnace Wikipedia: Induction Furnace]

[[Category:Induction Furnace]]
[[Category:Specifications]]
[[Category:Metalworks]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

{{GVCS Footer}}

Induction Furnace

2011-09-15T23:10:06Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Details */

{{GVCS Header}}

{{Template:Category=Induction furnace}}

==Overview==
[[Image:InductionFurnace.png|thumb|400px|[[Induction Furnace]]]]

An induction furnace is an electrical furnace in which the heat is applied by induction heating of metal.

==Details==
The advantage of the induction furnace is a clean, energy-efficient and well-controllable melting process compared to most other means of metal melting. Most modern foundries use this type of furnace and now also more iron foundries are replacing cupolas with induction furnaces to melt cast iron, as the former emit lots of dust and other pollutants. Induction furnace capacities range from less than one kilogram to one hundred tonnes capacity and are used to melt iron and steel, copper, aluminium and precious metals. Since no arc or combustion is used, the temperature of the material is no higher than required to melt it; this can prevent loss of valuable alloying elements.[1] The one major drawback to induction furnace usage in a foundry is the lack of refining capacity; charge materials must be clean of oxidation products and of a known composition and some alloying elements may be lost due to oxidation (and must be re-added to the melt).

Operating frequencies range from utility frequency (50 or 60 Hz) to 400 kHz or higher, usually depending on the material being melted, the capacity (volume) of the furnace and the melting speed required. Generally, the smaller the volume of the melts, the higher the frequency of the furnace used; this is due to the skin depth which is a measure of the distance an alternating current can penetrate beneath the surface of a conductor. For the same conductivity, the higher frequencies have a shallow skin depth - that is less penetration into the melt. Lower frequencies can generate stirring or turbulence in the metal.
A preheated, 1-tonne furnace melting iron can melt cold charge to tapping readiness within an hour. Power supplies range from 10 kW to 15 MW, with melt sizes of 20 kg to 30 tonne of metal respectively.

An operating induction furnace usually emits a hum or whine (due to magnetostriction), the pitch of which can be used by operators to identify whether the furnace is operating correctly or at what power level.

[http://www.fluxeon.com/Roy1200open.html Roy 1200] is an open source induction heater. Fluxeon sell a [http://elitelam.dot5hosting.com/store/page3.html kit versions] between $196.50 and $326.31 depending on whether all parts are included.

Tim Williams is documenting his work producing a [http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat9.html 10kW unit] aimed at melting steel in a #4 sized crucible.

==Product Ecology==

'''Uses'''
*[[UPS]] - Power

'''Creates'''
*[[Steel]] - [[GVCS]] (pretty much every machine depends on this)

See [[Product Ecologies]] for more information.

==Components==

[[File:Induction concept.jpg]]

*Induction Furnace Circuit
*Heat Dissipation System
*Coil
*Melt Chamber
*Feeder
*Crucible

==Status==
The '''Induction Furnace''' is currently in the [[Induction Furnace/Research Development|research phase of product development]].

==See Also==
*[[Spectrometer]]
*[[Foundry]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_furnace Wikipedia: Induction Furnace]

[[Category:Induction Furnace]]
[[Category:Specifications]]
[[Category:Metalworks]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

{{GVCS Footer}}

Induction Furnace

2011-09-15T23:09:50Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Details */

{{GVCS Header}}

{{Template:Category=Induction furnace}}

==Overview==
[[Image:InductionFurnace.png|thumb|400px|[[Induction Furnace]]]]

An induction furnace is an electrical furnace in which the heat is applied by induction heating of metal.

==Details==
The advantage of the induction furnace is a clean, energy-efficient and well-controllable melting process compared to most other means of metal melting. Most modern foundries use this type of furnace and now also more iron foundries are replacing cupolas with induction furnaces to melt cast iron, as the former emit lots of dust and other pollutants. Induction furnace capacities range from less than one kilogram to one hundred tonnes capacity and are used to melt iron and steel, copper, aluminium and precious metals. Since no arc or combustion is used, the temperature of the material is no higher than required to melt it; this can prevent loss of valuable alloying elements.[1] The one major drawback to induction furnace usage in a foundry is the lack of refining capacity; charge materials must be clean of oxidation products and of a known composition and some alloying elements may be lost due to oxidation (and must be re-added to the melt).

Operating frequencies range from utility frequency (50 or 60 Hz) to 400 kHz or higher, usually depending on the material being melted, the capacity (volume) of the furnace and the melting speed required. Generally, the smaller the volume of the melts, the higher the frequency of the furnace used; this is due to the skin depth which is a measure of the distance an alternating current can penetrate beneath the surface of a conductor. For the same conductivity, the higher frequencies have a shallow skin depth - that is less penetration into the melt. Lower frequencies can generate stirring or turbulence in the metal.
A preheated, 1-tonne furnace melting iron can melt cold charge to tapping readiness within an hour. Power supplies range from 10 kW to 15 MW, with melt sizes of 20 kg to 30 tonne of metal respectively.

An operating induction furnace usually emits a hum or whine (due to magnetostriction), the pitch of which can be used by operators to identify whether the furnace is operating correctly or at what power level.

[http://www.fluxeon.com/Roy1200open.html Roy 1200] is an open source induction heater. Fluxeon sell a [[http://elitelam.dot5hosting.com/store/page3.html kit versions]] between $196.50 and $326.31 depending on whether all parts are included.

Tim Williams is documenting his work producing a [http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat9.html 10kW unit] aimed at melting steel in a #4 sized crucible.

==Product Ecology==

'''Uses'''
*[[UPS]] - Power

'''Creates'''
*[[Steel]] - [[GVCS]] (pretty much every machine depends on this)

See [[Product Ecologies]] for more information.

==Components==

[[File:Induction concept.jpg]]

*Induction Furnace Circuit
*Heat Dissipation System
*Coil
*Melt Chamber
*Feeder
*Crucible

==Status==
The '''Induction Furnace''' is currently in the [[Induction Furnace/Research Development|research phase of product development]].

==See Also==
*[[Spectrometer]]
*[[Foundry]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_furnace Wikipedia: Induction Furnace]

[[Category:Induction Furnace]]
[[Category:Specifications]]
[[Category:Metalworks]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

{{GVCS Footer}}

Induction Furnace

2011-09-15T23:09:32Z

Christopher Fraser: /* Details */

{{GVCS Header}}

{{Template:Category=Induction furnace}}

==Overview==
[[Image:InductionFurnace.png|thumb|400px|[[Induction Furnace]]]]

An induction furnace is an electrical furnace in which the heat is applied by induction heating of metal.

==Details==
The advantage of the induction furnace is a clean, energy-efficient and well-controllable melting process compared to most other means of metal melting. Most modern foundries use this type of furnace and now also more iron foundries are replacing cupolas with induction furnaces to melt cast iron, as the former emit lots of dust and other pollutants. Induction furnace capacities range from less than one kilogram to one hundred tonnes capacity and are used to melt iron and steel, copper, aluminium and precious metals. Since no arc or combustion is used, the temperature of the material is no higher than required to melt it; this can prevent loss of valuable alloying elements.[1] The one major drawback to induction furnace usage in a foundry is the lack of refining capacity; charge materials must be clean of oxidation products and of a known composition and some alloying elements may be lost due to oxidation (and must be re-added to the melt).

Operating frequencies range from utility frequency (50 or 60 Hz) to 400 kHz or higher, usually depending on the material being melted, the capacity (volume) of the furnace and the melting speed required. Generally, the smaller the volume of the melts, the higher the frequency of the furnace used; this is due to the skin depth which is a measure of the distance an alternating current can penetrate beneath the surface of a conductor. For the same conductivity, the higher frequencies have a shallow skin depth - that is less penetration into the melt. Lower frequencies can generate stirring or turbulence in the metal.
A preheated, 1-tonne furnace melting iron can melt cold charge to tapping readiness within an hour. Power supplies range from 10 kW to 15 MW, with melt sizes of 20 kg to 30 tonne of metal respectively.

An operating induction furnace usually emits a hum or whine (due to magnetostriction), the pitch of which can be used by operators to identify whether the furnace is operating correctly or at what power level.

[[http://www.fluxeon.com/Roy1200open.html Roy 1200]] is an open source induction heater. Fluxeon sell a [[http://elitelam.dot5hosting.com/store/page3.html kit versions]] between $196.50 and $326.31 depending on whether all parts are included.

Tim Williams is documenting his work producing a [[http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms/Elec_IndHeat9.html 10kW unit]] aimed at melting steel in a #4 sized crucible.

==Product Ecology==

'''Uses'''
*[[UPS]] - Power

'''Creates'''
*[[Steel]] - [[GVCS]] (pretty much every machine depends on this)

See [[Product Ecologies]] for more information.

==Components==

[[File:Induction concept.jpg]]

*Induction Furnace Circuit
*Heat Dissipation System
*Coil
*Melt Chamber
*Feeder
*Crucible

==Status==
The '''Induction Furnace''' is currently in the [[Induction Furnace/Research Development|research phase of product development]].

==See Also==
*[[Spectrometer]]
*[[Foundry]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_furnace Wikipedia: Induction Furnace]

[[Category:Induction Furnace]]
[[Category:Specifications]]
[[Category:Metalworks]]
[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]

{{GVCS Footer}}