Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Gridbeam

2020-11-30T02:55:03Z

DavidCary: yet another grid beam guide?

=Introduction=
*Originally titled''The Box Beam Sourcebook'' by Jorgensen

=Gridbeam for Vehicles=
Grid beam is a simple [[modular construction]] technique. The core technology of this system is the beam, which has holes in it along its entire length, on all 4 sides. As well as holes, it is also able to create tri-joints, which are connections between 3 beams in which each beam is secured with 2 bolts. Gridbeams (in wood, galvanised steel and aluminium) are available for purchase from stores, and can be made yourself using standard industry components (lumber or metal pipes cut to the sizes described on this page). Wall thickness of the steel gridbeams is 14, 13 or 12 gauge (0,21 mm - 0,24 mm - 0,27 mm). Wall thickness of the aluminium gridbeams is 11 gauge (0,3 mm). The gridbeam system also uses hardware (hex nuts and bolts, flat washers, carriage bolts, joint connector bolts and weld nuts, external tooth lock washers and flange/flex-type locknuts, castle nuts, thread-locking fluid), panels (in same sizes as the gridbeams, in plywood, signboard, hardboard, sheet metal, fibreglass, plexiglass, ABS plastic, lexan, or safety glass), accessories (bicycle wheels, garden tractor wheels, garden cart wheels, (pillow block) wheel bearings, (pillow block) (axle) rings, angle plates/brackets, trailer torsion axles and wheels, live split axles and transaxles, sprockets, pulleys, ... ) and adapters (custom-made metal components that make non-compatible accessories fit unto gridbeam).

Hex nuts and bolts are used with most metal gridbeams as they are the strongest. Lockwashers, locknuts and thread-locking fluid is used for vehicle projects. Castle nuts are used to fasten axles. Joint connector bolts and weldnuts and carriage bolts are useful for when panelling needs to be attached to gridbeams because they are much flatter than regular hex bolts and nuts.

All hardware should be stainless steel, grade 1 hardness or more, with nuts having equal hardness level as the bolts, bolt lengths being equal to the beam thickness x2 (for allowing them to go through 2 beams).

Plexiglass and lexan are used for view ports and windows, and for windshields safety glass is used. Fibreglass and plexiglass are used for vehicle body panels. Sheet metal is used for decks in vehicles, ...

Most gridbeam vehicles don't have a clutch; vehicles are stopped instead and the gear is changed. Sometimes, there are no gears but a 12V/24V selector is present, allowing to speed up the vehicle when needed. Most also don't have a regular differential; instead live split axles or transaxles are used. Suspension is also present, often in the form of trailer torsion axles or suspension forks.

When making adapters yourself, use steel plates with a thickness between 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch (0,32 mm - 0,63 mm ). Use a drill in a drill press vise for accurate drilling.

=Versions=
Grid beam is a system of beams in which the width of each beam is equal to the hole spacing.
The holes are always placed in the middle of the beam width, and the hole spacing refers to the space between the holes in the other direction.
In the imperial system, beam width can be 1 inch, 1,5 inch and 2 inch. Hole spacing is similar (1 inch, 1,5 inch and 2 inch).
In the metric system, beam width can be set to 25 mm (which is almost identical to 1 inch as 1 inch = 25,4 mm), 40 mm (almost identical to 1,5 inch as this is 38 mm), and 50 mm (almost identical as 2 inch is 50,8 mm). Hole spacing follows accordingly.
Lengths of the beams need to be multiples of the beam width. In the imperial version, the lengths are per foot and per half foot, in the metric system it can be done per meter, per 1/2 meter and per 1/5 meter).
The hole diameter needs to be about 25-35% of the beam width, and the bolts need to be 1 mm smaller than the holes for metal gridbeams and 2 mm smaller than the hole for wooden gridbeams. In the imperial version, popular hole sizes are 11/32 inch, and 7/16 inch and popular bolt sizes are 5/16 inch and 3/8 inch. For the metric gridbeam, we can use a 6 mm bolt and 7-8 mm holes for the 25 mm gridbeam; a 9 mm bolt and 10-11 mm holes for the 40 mm gridbeam and 12 mm bolt and 13-14 mm holes for the 50 mm gridbeam. Use the 8,11 and 14 mm holes for wooden gridbeams, and the 7, 10 and 13 mm holes for metal gridbeams. Bolt sizes (6, 9 and 12 mm) are the same for both wooden and metal metric gridbeams. Reasons for this are that we can then reduce the number of different bolts sizes, and still use the smallest bolt with the largest hole (important for projects that use multiple gridbeam sizes). When buying imperial gridbeams and cutting them to metric sizes, also increase the hole size to metric where needed, and when the imperial beams have larger holes than in the metric version, simply keep the hole size but use metric bolts in them.

=Designs=
==Furniture==
A wide range of furniture (such as desks, beds, tables, chairs, lcd monitor stands, ...) have been designed.

==Vehicles==
Several electric vehicles have been designed with gridbeam.
Examples are the Electric Vehicle Test Bed, Solar Powered Utility Vehicle, Scamp, Electric Tote Goat, Japanese Bear, X-wing, Vanda, Panther Electric, Willits High School Electrathon Racer, Star Lite, Soltrain, Rail Rocket,...

==PV mounts==
A simple PV panel stand (for 65" x 39" and 75" x 39" PV panels) that can rotate along the horizontal plane (single-axis) can be made using [[Modular_construction|gridbeam]].

When using imperial gridbeam, it can be made 24 inch (=2 foot) high, 42 inch (=3,5 foot) long and 78 inch (=6,5 foot) wide. The panel can then be rotated by a stepper motor by putting it on a plywood supported by an axle. The axle needs to be at least 78 inch long (75" for the panel + 1,5" + 1,5" for the beams + space to mount the electric motor). By making it this way, the whole has a limited height, which reduces the possibility of damage by wind.

When using metric gridbeam, make it 50 cm high, 1m long and 2m wide, with a axle that is at least 2m wide.

=OSE designs=
== LifeTrac ==
[[Image:Warehouse_for_LifeTrac.jpeg|thumb|right|140px|grid-beam-like components before they are assembled into a LifeTrac]]
[[Image:Tractor Build 218.JPG|thumb|right|140px|LifeTrac 5 under construction]]
: ''main article: [[LifeTrac]]''

The basic frame of the LifeTrac is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing,
in an arrangement very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

=Internal Links=
*[[File:FreeCAD Tubing Library.tar.gz]]
*[[Eric Hunting Resource Guide#Matrix.2FBox Beam.2FGrid Beam|Eric Hunting Resource Guide]]
*[[Vertical farming]]

=External Links=
*[https://8020.net/university-readytube 80/20 Inc Ready Tube], [https://www.mcmaster.com/Standard-Bolt-Together-Structural-Framing McMaster-Carr Bolt-Together Framing], **** *[http://www.atc-mechanical.com/telespar/square-sign-post/ Allied Tube Telespar and Quick-Punch]
*[http://www.atc-mechanical.com/mechanical-tubing/square-fit-steel-tubing/ Allied Tube Square-Fit],
*[http://www.s-squaretube.com/Products/ProductDetails/tabid/85/ProductID/13/Default.aspx S-Square Square Post Perforated]
*[http://www.unistrut.us/DB/PDF1/Uni_Telespar.pdf Unistrut Telespar], Ultimate Highway Products Ulti-Mate steel highway sign posts: gridbeam-like products
*[http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=cat_detail&S=S03&P=P9000 Unistrut Telestrut]: gridbeam-like but with a different hole spacing so incompatible
*[http://www.edburtoncompany.com/ edburtoncompany (defunct)]
*[http://wiki.p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam gridbeam page at P2PF]
*[https://www.replimat.org/ Replimat: gridbeam community]
*[http://www.gridbeamsolutions.com The paper book], and [https://www.newsociety.com/Books/H/How-to-Build-With-Grid-Beam-PDF the e-book]
*[https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/ photos]
* [https://gridbeam.xyz/guide/ Grid Beam Guide]

== Defunct Links==
Check [[The Wayback Machine]], perhaps content is still there...

*[http://gridbeam.com/ gridbeam.com; official website, defunct, checked Sep 2020]
*[http://gridbeamers.com/ gridbeamers.com, defunct]
*[http://synergyii.com/Quikstix/index.html Quikstix page (gridbeam company of the jergensons), defunct, checked Sep 2020]
*[http://gridbeam.biz/ gridbeam.biz (defunct)]
*[http://www.gridbeamnation.com/ grid beam nation (defunct)]
*[http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/ gridbeamwiki; defunct]
*[http://www.exercise-desk.com exercise-desk.com (defunct)]
*[http://www.recliner-workstation.com recliner-workstation.com (defunct)]

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]] [[Category: Modular]]

LifeTrac Questions

2016-08-19T14:46:55Z

DavidCary: post-merge cleanup

{{Category=LifeTrac}}

=== Does any other single device that has the functionality of both a standard agricultural tractor and a skid steer in one, as found in LifeTrac? ==

'''Point:''' As far as we know, [[LifeTrac]] is the only device that includes the functionality of an agricultural tractor and skid-steer loader in one.

'''Skid Loader specialization:'''
*Hydraulic drive allows immediate reversal of direction - allowing for rapid digging/moving tasks
*Tight turning because the wheels skid on the ground (hence the name). A skid steer can essentially turn a circle in place
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*Heavy duty tires, about $300 each
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Skid Loader:'''
*Hydraulic drive just like in skid steers has identical performance.
*Tight turning is achieved via articulation of the tractor up to about a 40 degree angle
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*16" truck tires with chains attain high performance at a cost of $30 per wheel (with used tires)
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''Tractor Specialization:'''
*Faster speed and larger size allows large tracts of land to be worked
*Power take off shaft can power a variety of implements
*3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements on the back of the tractor
*Large rear wheels provide effective traction; dually (doubled) wheel configuration may be used

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Tractor:'''
*High speed can be achieved by going into 2 wheel drive mode, for large-scale agricultural tasks
*Power take off (PTO) shaft can power a variety of implements; PTO is movable, and can be attached on rear, on quick attach plate, or anywhere else.
*Movable 3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements - either on the end of the tractor or on the front quick attach plate.
*4 wheel drive, inexpensive wheels with chains provide good traction; dually wheel configuration may be used

'''Discussion:'''
*LifeTrac has the quick back-and-forth motion found in skid steers - to allow effective digging/moving functions with loader. At the same time, it has the speed and PTO/3-point hitch ability that makes it capable of any agricultural tasks, up to about a 40 acre scale (about 1 hp/acre figure of merit). One cannot do effective, accurate digging with a tractor, where one cannot make sharp turns and must change gears to change direction. All in all, using industrial equipment, one needs both a tractor and a skid loader to do all the functions of which LifeTrac is capable.

*'''Does anyone know of any single device that has the functionality of both a standard agricultural tractor and a skid steer in one, as found in LifeTrac?''' See discussion - [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=LifeTrac_Competitors]
[[Category:Red Pages]]

== square tube construction techniques ==

The basic frame is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing.
That basic frame looks very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

* Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
* Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

More about grid beam:
see [[gridbeam]].

== Other research questions ==

LifeTrac is an open source, design-for disassembly tractor with interchangeable modules and a high level of flexibility that aims at achieving a life-size Lego set for mechanical equipment and implements. There is a number of research questions to be answered:

#What is the optimal frame design such that it can allow for attaching all the different modules and components? What are the design requirements for the frame that would allow it to be a 'life-size Erector Set'? What is the optimal structural member unit for the frame? We are presently using 4"x4"x1/4" steel tubing.
#What is the maximum practical size for the frame, and therefore, tractor?
#What is the best design for the [[PowerCube]]? What are the design requirements for a PowerCube?
#What is the minimum power that a highly functional tractor requires? What is the minimum size that LifeTrac can be?
#What modules can be added to the tractor? How can the modules themselves be modular, ie., consist of a number of smaller design-for-disassembly modules?
#What is the best design for a modern steam engine-based PowerCube, such that any biomass crop (biomass pellets) can be used for fuel?
#What is the best design for a biomass pelletizer system that could be used to produce fuel for the tractor?
#What are the design requirements for the tractor to have lifetime design?
#What is the cost analysis for parts, components, and labor of producing the tractor?
#What are the fabrication requirements and ergonomics for a tractor production enterprise for LifeTrac?
#How can an induction furnace be used to produce parts for the tractor out of scrap steel?
#What machining requirements exist for making components for the tractor, if one were to not buy parts off-shelf?
#What is the best design of a universal, quick attach plate for the front loader for attaching implements?
#What are the weight balance issues involved?
#What is the structural analysis for the tractor - what are the maximum loads it can carry on the quick attach and loader?
#What are the power and structural calculations for the tractor?
# ...

[[category: modular]]
[[Category:LifeTrac]]

LifeTrac Research Questions

2016-08-19T14:44:10Z

DavidCary: merge all text to LifeTrac Questions, as requested

#REDIRECT [[LifeTrac Questions]]

LifeTrac Questions

2016-08-19T14:43:37Z

DavidCary: merge all text from LifeTrac Research Questions, as requested

{{ mergefrom | LifeTrac Research Questions}}

'''Point:''' As far as we know, [[LifeTrac]] is the only device that includes the functionality of an agricultural tractor and skid-steer loader in one.

'''Skid Loader specialization:'''
*Hydraulic drive allows immediate reversal of direction - allowing for rapid digging/moving tasks
*Tight turning because the wheels skid on the ground (hence the name). A skid steer can essentially turn a circle in place
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*Heavy duty tires, about $300 each
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Skid Loader:'''
*Hydraulic drive just like in skid steers has identical performance.
*Tight turning is achieved via articulation of the tractor up to about a 40 degree angle
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*16" truck tires with chains attain high performance at a cost of $30 per wheel (with used tires)
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''Tractor Specialization:'''
*Faster speed and larger size allows large tracts of land to be worked
*Power take off shaft can power a variety of implements
*3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements on the back of the tractor
*Large rear wheels provide effective traction; dually (doubled) wheel configuration may be used

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Tractor:'''
*High speed can be achieved by going into 2 wheel drive mode, for large-scale agricultural tasks
*Power take off (PTO) shaft can power a variety of implements; PTO is movable, and can be attached on rear, on quick attach plate, or anywhere else.
*Movable 3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements - either on the end of the tractor or on the front quick attach plate.
*4 wheel drive, inexpensive wheels with chains provide good traction; dually wheel configuration may be used

'''Discussion:'''
*LifeTrac has the quick back-and-forth motion found in skid steers - to allow effective digging/moving functions with loader. At the same time, it has the speed and PTO/3-point hitch ability that makes it capable of any agricultural tasks, up to about a 40 acre scale (about 1 hp/acre figure of merit). One cannot do effective, accurate digging with a tractor, where one cannot make sharp turns and must change gears to change direction. All in all, using industrial equipment, one needs both a tractor and a skid loader to do all the functions of which LifeTrac is capable.

*'''Does anyone know of any single device that has the functionality of both a standard agricultural tractor and a skid steer in one, as found in LifeTrac?''' See discussion - [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=LifeTrac_Competitors]
[[Category:Red Pages]]

== square tube construction techniques ==

The basic frame is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing.
That basic frame looks very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

* Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
* Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

More about grid beam:
see [[gridbeam]].

== Other research questions ==

{{ mergeto | LifeTrac Questions}}

{{Category=LifeTrac}}
LifeTrac is an open source, design-for disassembly tractor with interchangeable modules and a high level of flexibility that aims at achieving a life-size Lego set for mechanical equipment and implements. There is a number of research questions to be answered:

#What is the optimal frame design such that it can allow for attaching all the different modules and components? What are the design requirements for the frame that would allow it to be a 'life-size Erector Set'? What is the optimal structural member unit for the frame? We are presently using 4"x4"x1/4" steel tubing.
#What is the maximum practical size for the frame, and therefore, tractor?
#What is the best design for the [[PowerCube]]? What are the design requirements for a PowerCube?
#What is the minimum power that a highly functional tractor requires? What is the minimum size that LifeTrac can be?
#What modules can be added to the tractor? How can the modules themselves be modular, ie., consist of a number of smaller design-for-disassembly modules?
#What is the best design for a modern steam engine-based PowerCube, such that any biomass crop (biomass pellets) can be used for fuel?
#What is the best design for a biomass pelletizer system that could be used to produce fuel for the tractor?
#What are the design requirements for the tractor to have lifetime design?
#What is the cost analysis for parts, components, and labor of producing the tractor?
#What are the fabrication requirements and ergonomics for a tractor production enterprise for LifeTrac?
#How can an induction furnace be used to produce parts for the tractor out of scrap steel?
#What machining requirements exist for making components for the tractor, if one were to not buy parts off-shelf?
#What is the best design of a universal, quick attach plate for the front loader for attaching implements?
#What are the weight balance issues involved?
#What is the structural analysis for the tractor - what are the maximum loads it can carry on the quick attach and loader?
#What are the power and structural calculations for the tractor?
# ... [[LifeTrac Questions]]

[[category: modular]]

[[Category:LifeTrac]]

My Sweet Home 3D

2015-09-28T20:10:50Z

DavidCary: categorize, etc.

=Intro=

Sweet Home 3D is open source interior design software that helps you draw the plan of your house, arrange furniture in it and visit the results in 3D. http://www.sweethome3d.com/userGuide.jsp

=Communication=

Hi,

Thanks for your interest in Sweet Home 3D. There's already some documentation to learn this software available at
http://www.sweethome3d.com/userGuide.jsp
http://www.sweethome3d.com/documentation.jsp#videoTutorial
I don't understand what your workshop could consist of....

Regards,
--
Emmanuel PUYBARET

=Download=

http://www.sweethome3d.com/download.jsp

Notes on download:

<html><img src="https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1ni9OxQX41mk5eMVM6o5Vv9XQwSG55igkHFbR9gsf_Ac/pub?w=960&h=720"></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/drawings/d/1ni9OxQX41mk5eMVM6o5Vv9XQwSG55igkHFbR9gsf_Ac/edit edit]

=Sample First Time Use - Screenshot=

First time use appears attractive - floor plans are easy to draw up and dimension, and components including doors can be dragged and dropped in. Very user friendly for the first try - including easy edit and length modification, undo, copy/paste, etc.

== Source ==

Sweet Home 3D is [http://sourceforge.net/projects/sweethome3d/ an open source SourceForge.net project] distributed under GNU General Public License.

[[Image:summercamp.jpg]]

[[category: software]]
[[category: Open Source Software]]
[[category: CAD]]
[[category: housing and construction]]

Solidworks

2015-09-28T19:59:22Z

DavidCary: merge "Category:CAD Software" into "Category:CAD" -- they're the same thing, right?

SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD (computer-aided design) program that runs on Microsoft Windows.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidworks
* http://www.solidworks.com/
=Tutorials=

http://www.cudacountry.net/html/solidworks_toc.html

https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/37350?start=0&tstart=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uosCbYn1jYs&list=UUjvBN1r7UXXqmIbx_u7bIAw&index=32&feature=plpp_video

[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:CAD]]

My Sweet Home 3D

2015-09-28T19:47:16Z

DavidCary: explicitly point out that this is open-source software; categorize, etc.

Category:Open Source Software

2015-09-28T19:41:58Z

DavidCary: "Open Source Software" is a kind of software, right?

Open Source software is software that is released under an open source licence. The licences that qualify as open source are defined by an organization called the open source initiative. The benefits of using open source software when working on OSE projects are:

==Freely distributable at no cost==
You are free to download and distribute open source software, this is important when collaborating with others. If you are using proprietary software especially one that requires payment you are creating a barrier to collaboration. You are forcing a collaborator to either pay to collaborate or to pirate the software.

==Freely improved==
With open source software you are free to improve the software if your needs are not met. You can do this yourself or you can get someone else to do this for you.

These are practical reasons why OSE should use of Open Source Software in favour of propriety software.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software

[[category: software]]

Aquaponic Greenhouse FreeCAD

2015-09-28T19:31:25Z

DavidCary: link to article that goes into more detail, etc.

We started in [[FreeCAD]] - and are continuing in [[Sweet Home 3D]].

Github repo - https://github.com/yorikvanhavre/opensourceecology-greenhouse

Collaborative Development Towards an Economy of Meaning

2014-02-20T17:49:24Z

DavidCary: linkfix, etc.

talk presented at Seoul Digital Forum - 2013 - Korea

'''Collaborative Development Towards an Economy of Meaning'''

eCOllaboration - theme

'''Abstract'''

Open, collaborative development promises to revolutionize the way the economy operates today. It allows companies to innovate faster via access to prior work and crowd-based contributions. It fosters the emergence of a greater number of producers, resulting in a broader and more diverse ecosystem. It lets us (re)shape the artifacts we use and in this way shape our own experiences. What are the mechanisms by which this happens in practice - in our lives and in our work? How can we participate in a more meaningful, ecological, and satisfying system of production? How does open development lead to a more efficient economy, one in which nobody is left behind? . What began a couple of decades ago as the open source movement is now extending into open source hardware, open product development, and open enterprise. What lessons can we learn from these collaborative trends as we enter the next step in the evolution of the modern economy? Do we have the courage to take the opportunity to disrupt manufacturing, stabilize economies, restore ecology, unleash productivity everywhere, leapfrog through old problems, and leave nobody behind?

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FSSsoC10t5QwkfEKDTHiV81G00VX9gQ6kWNoUxSIH5M/edit edit talk]

[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EMPrW0eHpLRGddFQUNawaLonR67sxOclWFdbUebmbnE/edit#slide=id.gdd138dab_43 edit slides]]

=Links=
*We're gonna get cloned and ripped off - dispel myth that that. You will get cloned no matter what, so if you are going to get ripped off, might as well do it right. Good and bad ideas get cloned.
*Linux takeover and data case -
*Sparkfun Nathan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGhj_lLNtd0
*Marco Perry - slide - cloning is a business problem, not an openness problem
*Fashion - great case
*Architecture for Humanity - open biz models
*OSE - Distributive Enterprise - concept, but not; just GVCS message - open tools that can do what YOU want to do.
*[[Everywhere Tech]]
*Online ripoffs - -good example
*Kinect
*Steam engine
*

Gridbeam

2013-11-13T21:44:31Z

DavidCary: replace images with images that show lots-of-holes more clearly

Grid Beam - simple modular construction technique

Links:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
* http://www.gridbeamnation.com/
* http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/

* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://www.creatrope.com/blog/make/a-modular-halloween-with-grid-beam/
* http://gridbeam.biz/
* http://p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam_Building_System
* [[Eric Hunting Resource Guide#Matrix.2FBox Beam.2FGrid Beam]]
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Frame_material#grid_beam
* is there a grid beam wiki? - Lansing Makers Network has begun hosting http://gridbeamwiki.org/ It's being populated in preparation for Detroit Maker Faire 2012, so will be a little rough around the edges until then.

Photos:
* https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/

== LifeTrac ==
[[Image:Warehouse_for_LifeTrac.jpeg|thumb|right|grid-beam-like components before they are assembled into a LifeTrac]]
[[Image:LifeTrac Ground-hug Pivot.jpeg|thumb|right|LifeTrac ground-hug pivot]]
[[Image:Tractor Build 218.JPG|thumb|right|LifeTrac 5 under construction]]
[[Image:Liftrac5.jpg|thumb|right|LifeTrac 5]]
[[Image:IMAG1537.jpg|thumb|right|LifeTrac 6]]
: ''main article: [[LifeTrac]]''

The basic frame of the LifeTrac is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing,
in an arrangement very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

* Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
* Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]]
[[category: modular]]

Gridbeam

2013-11-13T20:39:20Z

DavidCary: mention similarities between gridbeam and the Lifetrac frame

Grid Beam - simple modular construction technique

Links:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
* http://www.gridbeamnation.com/
* http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/

* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://www.creatrope.com/blog/make/a-modular-halloween-with-grid-beam/
* http://gridbeam.biz/
* http://p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam_Building_System
* [[Eric Hunting Resource Guide#Matrix.2FBox Beam.2FGrid Beam]]
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Frame_material#grid_beam
* is there a grid beam wiki? - Lansing Makers Network has begun hosting http://gridbeamwiki.org/ It's being populated in preparation for Detroit Maker Faire 2012, so will be a little rough around the edges until then.

Photos:
* https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/

== LifeTrac ==
[[File:LTIICompleted.jpg|thumb|300px|Completed LifeTrac II]]
[[Image:LiftTracWithTracks.jpg|thumb|right|400px|LifeTrac III Tractor]]
: ''main article: [[LifeTrac]]''

The basic frame of the LifeTrac is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing,
in an arrangement very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

* Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
* Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]]
[[category: modular]]

LifeTrac Questions

2013-11-13T20:23:15Z

DavidCary: move text to gridbeam

Gridbeam

2013-11-13T20:23:03Z

DavidCary: move text from LifeTrac Questions

{{ mergefrom | LifeTrac Questions }}

Grid Beam - simple modular construction technique

Links:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
* http://www.gridbeamnation.com/
* http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/

* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://www.creatrope.com/blog/make/a-modular-halloween-with-grid-beam/
* http://gridbeam.biz/
* http://p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam_Building_System
* [[Eric Hunting Resource Guide#Matrix.2FBox Beam.2FGrid Beam]]
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Frame_material#grid_beam
* is there a grid beam wiki? - Lansing Makers Network has begun hosting http://gridbeamwiki.org/ It's being populated in preparation for Detroit Maker Faire 2012, so will be a little rough around the edges until then.

Photos:
* https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]]
[[category: modular]]

Powerlolu

2013-10-17T15:54:19Z

DavidCary: clarified (I hope)

=Intro=

Powerlolu appears to be a modular, higher power replacement (2.5-5A) for the smaller [[Pololu]]. We want to use the RAMPS (Powerlolu) for our CNC Torch Table.

=Design=
Schematic at Upverter - http://upverter.com/alexh/ed1b6905257872ed/Powerlolu/

=History=

[[Image:STOMP.png|400px]]

Based on STOMP GPL3 - http://li79-15.members.linode.com/projects

https://github.com/kliment/Stomp/blob/master/stomp.png

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:40540

=Communications=

==May==
Great to hear from you. You can see more about our work at this TED talk. Our immediate need is 2.5A and up for serious stepper motors for CNC Torch Table Prototype II (prototype I was shown in the TED talk)

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:Table_Frame.JPG

I would like this to be 1-off producible via CNC circuit mill, such as the open source Shapeoko (I'd like to know if you know of any better off-shelf open source variants of a CNC circuit mill? Jeff?). That is our preferred route for rapid prototyping, until the point where we stabilize a design. In any case, our goal is to make something designed for an off-shelf CNC circuit mill to enable full control of the technology by the user.

Interestingly, I looked up the driver chip and found this immediately - i appears to be open source -

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:40540

With fully-assembled board available:

https://shop.germanreprap.com/en/Powerlolu-Stepper-Motor-Driverup-to-10A

and #kliment from #reprap IRC pulling code from the Powerlolu github repository - so he appears to be involved.

Can you help us design a prototype driver equivalent of the above that we can mill with a CNC circuit mill? It appears that the component cost would be about $20 per channel in single units?

==June 2013==
The [[Sanguinololu]] board is the controller, and the controller is the brain. The power handling stage is called the Stepper Driver - which needs to be 2.5 amps or more. This board here is compatible with Pololu and Powerlolu.

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Powerlolu - up to 10 A. good.

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Pololu - up to 2.2 A (too small)

So the questions to the IRC channel are:

1. Who has experience with Powerlolu?
2. Can we buy it reliably and just use with existing RAMPS (RepRap electronics)?
3. What tricks are required to make it work? Does it give us say 2.5A-3A reliably?

If someone has that experience, take down names, and then we can invite them for a DPV if they can make it.

==June 10, 2013==
[[Powerlolu Inquiry on IRC]]

==June 12, 2013==
Hi Marcin,
you can buy the powerlolu from germanreprap.com.
Don't think they have a dealer in the US right now. The should have it in stock.
regards,
Alfred - abauer

=Links=
* A4989 Stepper driver chip specs - [http://www.allegromicro.com/Products/Motor-Driver-And-Interface-ICs/Bipolar-Stepper-Motor-Drivers/A4989.aspx]
*Sourcing of complete board - [https://shop.germanreprap.com/en/Powerlolu-Stepper-Motor-Driverup-to-10A]
*Design at [[Upverter]] - [http://upverter.com/alexh/ed1b6905257872ed/Powerlolu/]
*Announcement by German RepRap - [http://3druck.com/drucker-und-produkte/open-source-eigenbau/powerlolu-german-reprap-kuendigt-neuen-leistungsfaehigen-schrittmotortreiber-an-027759/]
*Chip from Digikey - [http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/A4989SLDTR-T/620-1389-1-ND/2533654]
*Open source driver from Cuteminds.com - [http://www.cuteminds.com/index.php/en/a4989]
*Source at https://github.com/fluidfred - to #kliment at #reprap IRC.
*$7 for chip - [http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/A4989-A4989SLDT-Allegro-power-management-chip/517845_729886460.html]
*Application schematic from Datasheet Zone - [http://www.dz863.com/circuits-3-8387008263-A4989_Application-Schematic/]
*Another homebrew circuit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNfdSBDoh48

Gridbeam

2013-10-10T11:31:10Z

DavidCary: suggest merge from LifeTrac Research Questions

{{ mergefrom | LifeTrac Questions }}

Grid Beam - simple modular construction technique

Links:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
* http://www.gridbeamnation.com/
* http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/

Photos:
* https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]]
[[category: modular]]

LifeTrac Research Questions

2013-10-10T11:23:41Z

DavidCary: suggest merge to LifeTrac Questions

{{ mergeto | LifeTrac Questions}}

{{Category=LifeTrac}}
LifeTrac is an open source, design-for disassembly tractor with interchangeable modules and a high level of flexibility that aims at achieving a life-size Lego set for mechanical equipment and implements. There is a number of research questions to be answered:

#What is the optimal frame design such that it can allow for attaching all the different modules and components? What are the design requirements for the frame that would allow it to be a 'life-size Erector Set'? What is the optimal structural member unit for the frame? We are presently using 4"x4"x1/4" steel tubing.
#What is the maximum practical size for the frame, and therefore, tractor?
#What is the best design for the [[PowerCube]]? What are the design requirements for a PowerCube?
#What is the minimum power that a highly functional tractor requires? What is the minimum size that LifeTrac can be?
#What modules can be added to the tractor? How can the modules themselves be modular, ie., consist of a number of smaller design-for-disassembly modules?
#What is the best design for a modern steam engine-based PowerCube, such that any biomass crop (biomass pellets) can be used for fuel?
#What is the best design for a biomass pelletizer system that could be used to produce fuel for the tractor?
#What are the design requirements for the tractor to have lifetime design?
#What is the cost analysis for parts, components, and labor of producing the tractor?
#What are the fabrication requirements and ergonomics for a tractor production enterprise for LifeTrac?
#How can an induction furnace be used to produce parts for the tractor out of scrap steel?
#What machining requirements exist for making components for the tractor, if one were to not buy parts off-shelf?
#What is the best design of a universal, quick attach plate for the front loader for attaching implements?
#What are the weight balance issues involved?
#What is the structural analysis for the tractor - what are the maximum loads it can carry on the quick attach and loader?
#What are the power and structural calculations for the tractor?
# ... [[LifeTrac Questions]]

[[category: modular]]

LifeTrac Questions

2013-10-10T11:23:36Z

DavidCary: suggest merge from LifeTrac Research Questions

Inverter Design Rationale and Specification

2013-07-27T02:00:59Z

DavidCary: "Underestimating Complexity of Power Supply Design" and other links.

=Design Rationale=

=Specifications=
*Input – 12-120V DC using IGBTs that can handle that
*Output - 12-480V AC
*Plug-in transformer modules allow from 1 to 10 amplitude modification
*Use turnkey, plug-in IGBT module of 2.5 kW continuous, 5 kW peak
**Proper heat sinking
*Use turnkey, plug-in gate driver
*Use pure sine wave signal generator
*Stackable up to 10 units for up to 25kW
**Phase cable connects units so power is in phase

==Particulars==
*Continuous output power: 2500 Watts
*Surge power capability (peak power): 5000 Watts
*dc input / operating voltage: 10 to 120 DC
*Output voltage: 120-480 Volts ac
*Output frequency: 60 Hz +/- 0.5 Hz
*Battery low voltage shutdown: 9.5 +/- 0.5 V
*No load minimum operating temperature: 25 degrees F
*Full load maximum operating temperature: 140 degrees F
*Efficiency: >90%
*No load draw: .6 amps
*AC Output Socket Type: 3 bolt down connectors
*High input voltage protection: 15V
*Low input voltage shutdown: 10V
*Internal fuse protection

==Modularity==
*Plug-in transformers
::[[Image:BlockDiagram.png]]
*Unit should be readily scalable to 3 phase power output (3 phase welders at Factor e Farm, with 12.5kW of battery power avaialable in our off grid digital fabrication facility)

=Scalability and Modularity Analysis=

*Basic unit above provides up to 25kW continuous power with a stack of 10 inverters
*Plug in IGBT module may be scaled for higher power, up to 250 kW for a stack of 10 inverters. Relevant to the scale of 200kW induction furnace.
*Modular design retains allowance for different gate drivers, such as high frequency power for induction furnace power supplies and other applications

=Links=

* Jerrold Foutz. [http://www.smpstech.com/undest.htm "Underestimating Complexity of Power Supply Design"].

IGBT Sources
*http://www.shaoguang.com.cn/data/sgkj09005.pdf

* [http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/12186/how-to-build-a-high-power-4kw-switched-mode-dc-dc-converter "How to build a high-power (4kW) switched-mode DC-DC converter?"] at Electrical Engineering Stackexchange.
* [http://electronics-diy.com/electronic_schematic.php?id=609 "500W Mos-Fet Power Inverter from 12V to 110V/220V"] from Electronics-DIY.
* [http://opencircuits.com/switching_regulator "Switching regulator"] from Open Circuits.
* Roman Black. [http://www.romanblack.com/micro_gt.htm "Micro Grid-Tie"].

=Deployment Strategy=
*Initial prototype is a 2.5 kW module in 1 phase, later modules are slave modules for stackability
*3-phase power is the next stage after 1 phase is developed
*Ask a vendor for a ready design
*Post on [http://grabcad.com/challenges GrabCAD]
*Post on [http://upverter.com/ Upverter]
*Assess assistance from [[Universal Power Supply on the Amp Hour]] - An off-the-cuff radio show and podcast for electronics enthusiasts and professionals
*Request [[David Kronstein]] to produce a simple inverter design for our purposes
*Request Dedicated Project Visit or Remote Dedicated Project Visit to design inverter and begin the prototyping stage.

[[Category:Specifications]][[Category:Inverter]][[Category:Universal Power Supply]]

CNCCMV2

2012-10-26T02:04:28Z

DavidCary: link to related articles

=Intro=

[[CNCCMV2/Overview | CNC Circuit Mill V2 (CNCCMV2): Overview]]

=Design=

[[CNC Circuit Mill/V2 Design Rationale | Design Rationale]]

[[CNCCMV2/CAD | Part Files]]

=Build Instructions=

[[CNCCMV2/Build_Rationale | Build Rationale]]

[[CNCCMV2/Sourcing | Sourcing]]

[[CNCCMV2/Structure | Structure]]

[[CNCCMV2/Electronics | Electronics]]

[[CNCCMV2/Software | Software]]

=Modularity and Scaling=

[[CNCCMV2/Modularity | Modularity]]

[[CNCCMV2/Scaling | Scaling]]

=Operation and Maintenance=

[[CNCCMV2/Usage | Operation]]

[[CNCCMV2/Maintenance | Maintenance]]

See also:
* [[CNC Circuit Mill]]
* [[CNCCM]]
* [[User:Lennywayne | CNC router]]

CNCCMV2/Software

2012-10-25T18:19:21Z

DavidCary: tweak formatting, etc.

CNCCMV2/Usage

2012-10-25T03:24:45Z

DavidCary: tweak formatting, etc.

=Circuit Idea to Computer-aided Manufacturing File=

*[[CircuitToolchain | Circuit Toolchain]]

=Servo Tester Manual=

[[File: GWSTester.pdf]]

=Open Source Circuits=

[[Circuits | Circuits]]

Snap-Lock

2012-10-25T03:10:37Z

DavidCary: photo

{{Breadcrumb|Digital Fabrication}}
[[File:CNC Snaplock.jpg]]
http://mtm.cba.mit.edu/machines/mtm_snap-lock/

CNC Torch Table

2012-10-25T02:49:10Z

DavidCary: photo of torch table

[[Image:CNC Torch Tablepic.jpg|thumb|360px|Torch Table Prototype]]
{{GVCS Header}}
{{Category=Torch Table}}

[[Image:Table_Frame.JPG|thumb|360px|Torch Table Prototype II Design.
<br/>
<html><iframe width="360" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//snow7--rvCE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>]]

The '''CNC Torch Table''' (aka '''RepTab''') is a computer controlled machine that quickly cuts intricate patterns out of large steel sheets, that are difficult to cut by hand.
The machine should be able to interpret DXF files and cut out the defined parts.

Many parts that make up the 50 GVCS Tools can be cut on the CNC Torch Table, making this machine valuable for replication.

=Status=
'''CNC Torch Table II'''<br/>
Design is finished and prototyping is underway.<br/>
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/7/79/CNC_Torch_Table_-_Sketchup_Model.zip Sketchup Model]
*[[CNC_Torch Table Control Overview|Computer Control Overview]]
*[http://opensourceecology.org/w/images/3/31/Torch_Table_Solidworks_2010.zip Solidworks model - In progress]

'''CNC Torch Table I'''<br/>
Prototyped and Tested in experimental production runs.
Identified software toolchain as a performance bottleneck.

=Systems Engineering Breakdown=
The following diagram takes all of the separate components that make up the CNC Torch Table, and spacially organizes them to display dependancy and possible bottlenecks for troubleshooting.

<html>
<center>
<img src="https://docs.google.com/drawings/pub?id=1SKGaBa6N21DPzXm9ILuqwPubc6nnRSBAARbkKaEU9hw&w=652&h=489">
</center>
</html>

=Design Rationale=
The following points have been considered throughout Torch Table development.
*Rigid design to maximize precision
*Perfect mechanical design for replicability to 1/32" over 5.5' x 11.5' area
*Ability to cut 20 feet long 4" square tube.
*Ability to cut 10 feet long 6" square tube. ('''without''' removal of vertical slats)
*Ability to cut 10 feet long 10" square tube. ('''with''' removal of vertical slats)

=Product Ecology=
[[Image:2b-Genfabecology.png|360px|thumb|General Fabrication [[Product Ecology]]]]
'''Made with'''
*{{Induction Furnace}} - Steel
*{{Multimachine}} - Precision Guides, bearings
'''Creates'''
*{{Lifetrac}} - Plates, holes
*{{CEB}} - Holes
*[[QA Plates]]
See [[Product Ecologies]] for more information.
{{Video}}
{{GVCS Footer}}

File:XYStepperMountAngle.jpg

2012-10-25T02:41:14Z

DavidCary: obsolete?

''(Has this been obsoleted by [[:File:MountStepperAngle.jpg]] ?)''

File:XYMountAngle.jpg

2012-10-25T02:38:56Z

DavidCary: obsolete?

''(Has this been obsoleted by [[:File:MountAngle.jpg]] ?)''

CNCubeDesign

2012-10-25T02:33:02Z

DavidCary: link to related articles, etc.

=CAD Assembly: CNCube (In Progress)=

[[Image: cncubep2.jpg|500px]]

[[File: cncubep2.stp]]

=CAD Assembly: XY Frame=

[[Image: XYFrame.jpg|500px]]

=CAD Assembly: Platform=

[[Image: Platform.jpg|500px]]

=CAD Assembly: Z Frame=

[[Image: ZFrame.jpg|500px]]

=Structure: XY Frame Angle=

[[Image: XYFrameAngle.jpg]]

[[File: XYFrameAngle.stp]]

=Structure: X Frame Mount Angle=

[[Image: XFrameMountAngle.jpg]]

[[File: XFrameMountAngle.stp]]

=Structure: XY Frame Mount Angle=

[[Image: XYFrameMountAngle.jpg]]

[[File: XYFrameMountAngle.stp]]

=Structure: Y Frame Mount Angle=

[[Image: YFrameMountAngle1.jpg]]

[[File: YFrameMountAngle1.stp]]

=Structure: Sleeve Bearing=

[[Image: SleeveBearingFab.jpg]]

[[File: SleeveBearingSTEP.stp]]

=Structure: YZ Plate=

[[Image: YZPlate.jpg]]

[[File: YZPlate.stp]]

=Structure: Move Angle=

[[Image: MoveAngle.jpg]]

[[File: MoveAngle.stp]]

=Structure: Move Nut Angle=

[[Image: MoveNutAngle.jpg]]

[[File: MoveNutAngle.stp]]

=Structure: Mount Angle=

[[Image: MountAngle.jpg]]

[[FIle: MountAngle.stp]]

=Structure: Mount Stepper Angle=

[[Image: MountStepperAngle.jpg]]

[[File: MountStepperAngle.stp]]

=Structure: Shaft Collar=

[[Image: ShaftCollar.jpg]]

[[File: ShaftCollar.stp]]

Possibly related:
[[Cube Spawn]]

[[category: modular]]

Cube Spawn

2012-10-25T02:32:44Z

DavidCary: link to related articles

Open source, free, flexible manufacturing system:

http://www.cubespawn.com/

Possibly related:
[[CNCubeDesign]]

[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]
[[category: modular]]

CNCCMV2

2012-10-25T01:35:38Z

DavidCary: tweak formatting, etc.

LifeTrac Research Questions

2012-10-24T15:47:29Z

DavidCary: category: modular

{{Category=LifeTrac}}
LifeTrac is an open source, design-for disassembly tractor with interchangeable modules and a high level of flexibility that aims at achieving a life-size Lego set for mechanical equipment and implements. There is a number of research questions to be answered:

#What is the optimal frame design such that it can allow for attaching all the different modules and components? What are the design requirements for the frame that would allow it to be a 'life-size Erector Set'? What is the optimal structural member unit for the frame? We are presently using 4"x4"x1/4" steel tubing.
#What is the maximum practical size for the frame, and therefore, tractor?
#What is the best design for the [[PowerCube]]? What are the design requirements for a PowerCube?
#What is the minimum power that a highly functional tractor requires? What is the minimum size that LifeTrac can be?
#What modules can be added to the tractor? How can the modules themselves be modular, ie., consist of a number of smaller design-for-disassembly modules?
#What is the best design for a modern steam engine-based PowerCube, such that any biomass crop (biomass pellets) can be used for fuel?
#What is the best design for a biomass pelletizer system that could be used to produce fuel for the tractor?
#What are the design requirements for the tractor to have lifetime design?
#What is the cost analysis for parts, components, and labor of producing the tractor?
#What are the fabrication requirements and ergonomics for a tractor production enterprise for LifeTrac?
#How can an induction furnace be used to produce parts for the tractor out of scrap steel?
#What machining requirements exist for making components for the tractor, if one were to not buy parts off-shelf?
#What is the best design of a universal, quick attach plate for the front loader for attaching implements?
#What are the weight balance issues involved?
#What is the structural analysis for the tractor - what are the maximum loads it can carry on the quick attach and loader?
#What are the power and structural calculations for the tractor?
# ... [[LifeTrac Questions]]

[[category: modular]]

Slide 16

2012-10-24T15:42:37Z

DavidCary: category: modular

{{delete|contents moved to [[Slide 1]]}}

[[Slide 1]] - [[Slide 2]] - [[Slide 3]] - [[Slide 4]] - [[Slide 5]] - [[Slide 6]] - [[Slide 7]] - [[Slide 8]] - [[Slide 9]] - [[Slide 10]] - [[Slide 11]] - [[Slide 12]] - [[Slide 13]] - [[Slide 14]] - [[Slide 15]] - [[Slide 16]] - [[Slide 17]] - [[Slide 18]] - [[Slide 19]] - [[Slide 20]] - [[Slide 21]] - [[Slide 22]] - [[Slide 23]] - [[Slide 24]] - [[Slide 25]] - [[Slide 26]] - [[Slide 27]] - [[Slide 28]] - [[Slide 29]] - [[Slide 30]] - [[Slide 31]] - [[Slide 32]] - [[Slide 33]]

[[Image:Slide 16.jpg]]

----

There are 4 particular features that underlie the structure and design of sound technology that is meant to last a lifetime and have least maintenance costs. These are design for disassembly, modularity, scalability, and simplicity. The first is basically a guarentee of a lifetime of service. If you can take something apart easily, then you can fix it easily. Modularity is the possibility of add-ons that modify the function of a machine, so you don’t have to buy a new machine to obtain that new function. Scalability is the ability to scale the size – make it smaller or larger – without making major design changes. Absolute simplicity refers to KISS design – such that the same functionality cannot be obtained with any fewer parts.

[[category: modular]]

Category:Power Cube

2012-10-24T15:36:06Z

DavidCary: category: modular

''Definition'' - The Power Cube1 is a universal power unit, and it is a module that can be attached to the LifeTrac, Microtrac, Bulldozer, and Open Source Car (OSCar) platforms. As such, any of these platforms can be used as power sources for other devices, such as workshop tools, power generators, ironworker machines, or any other devices which require a power source. The key to this flexibility is the self-contained nature of the Power Cube, where quick-connect hoses and quick-connect physical mounting allow the Power Cube to be coupled to used with other devices. It has frame-integrated fuel and hydraulic reservoirs. It currently contains an 18 or 27 hp gasoline engine, coupled to a hydraulic pump, and produces fluid flow up to 15 gallons per minute and up to 3000 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure. It connects to other devices via quick couplers and quick-connect hydraulic hoses. A modern steam engine will be retrofitted as soon as it is developed to allow complete fuel flexibility

''Problem Statement'' – Power machinery and equipment typically uses dedicated engine units, such that a large number of different engines is required to power a large number of powered equipment. The engine unit is the heart of any powered device.

''Solution'' – By decoupling the power unit from a powered device via quick-attach coupling – it is possible to turn a dedicated power unit into a flexible power module. We have shown proof of concept – in that power units can be shared between different machines. This allows for drastic cost reduction in the overall cost of mechanical infrastructures.

[[Category: Energy]]
[[Category: GVCS]]
[[category: modular]]

CNCCMV2/Modularity

2012-10-24T15:32:57Z

DavidCary: category: modular

=Modularity=

*Different step motors and drive mechanisms can be mounted onto the axis support angles via mounting holes

*Different frames can be used, provided they have precise mounting holes for the axis support angles

*Different holding platforms can be used, provided they have mounting holes for the X axis moving angles

*Different spindle setups can be used, provided they have mounting holes for the Z axis moving angles

*Different stepper driver boards and power supplies can be used, provided they have compatible performance specifications within the electronics system

[[category: modular]]

Extreme Modularity Resource Map

2012-10-24T15:32:03Z

DavidCary: category: modular

*[[Open Source Ecology]]
*[[Team Wikispeed]]
*http://www.gridbeamers.com/
*http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Slide_Oekonux_4_8_prime

[[Category:Resource Map]]
[[category: modular]]

Cube Spawn

2012-10-24T15:29:45Z

DavidCary: category: modular

Open source, free, flexible manufacturing system:

http://www.cubespawn.com/

[[Category:Digital Fabrication]]
[[category: modular]]

Gridbeam

2012-10-24T15:29:31Z

DavidCary: category: modular

Grid Beam - simple modular construction technique

Links:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
* http://www.gridbeamnation.com/
* http://www.gridbeamwiki.org/

Photos:
* https://secure.flickr.com/photos/nikolayhg1/sets/72157629932382005/

[[Category: Open Hardware]] [[Category: Construction]]
[[category: modular]]

Flexible Fabrication

2012-10-24T15:26:35Z

DavidCary: link to related articles

Concept promoted by [[The Second Industrial Divide]] - namely that more general machinery and higher-skill labor - as opposed to highly specialized machinery and dumb labor of specialization - are both competitive with and advantageous to specialization.

Related to
* [[Digital Fabrication]]
* [[personal fabrication]]
* [[Distributive Economics]]
* [[Fabrication Diagram]]
* [[OSE Proposal Appendix B1: Flexible Fabrication Curriculum]]
* [http://pcast.ideascale.com/a/dtd/44897-8319 "Build 21000 flexible fabrication facilities across the USA"]

Personal fabrication

2012-10-24T15:23:19Z

DavidCary: suggest merge

{{mergefrom|Personal Fabrication}}

=Factor E Distillations Episode 6 - Personal Fabrication=

<html>
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MaVdhDbn2rQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MaVdhDbn2rQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
</html>

See corresponding [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=487 blog post]

[[Category:Distillations]]

Personal Fabrication

2012-10-24T15:23:07Z

DavidCary: suggest merge

{{Breadcrumb|Digital Fabrication}}
{{mergeto|Personal fabrication}}

=Factor E Distillations Episode 6 - Personal Fabrication=

<html>
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MaVdhDbn2rQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MaVdhDbn2rQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
</html>

See corresponding [http://openfarmtech.org/weblog/?p=487 blog post]

Distributive Economics

2012-10-24T15:18:43Z

DavidCary: fill in a few more details

=Introduction=

See also [[Distributive Enterprise]].

[[Distributive Economics]] is an economic paradigm which promotes the equitable distribution of wealth through a combination of: open design (of products, processes, services, and other economically significant information), [[Flexible Fabrication]], and [[Open Business Models]], towards replicability. This means that replication is promoted to as many economic players as possible. Here at OSE, an apolitical approach is taken where design is improved by local solutions without invoking the context of centralized power.

Distributive economics has several requirements:

#'''Design repository''' - a global repository of freely-downloadable design can help any producer start an enterprise, from a small farmer to a high-tech innovator - by providing immediate access to best practices of economically significant products and production - without having to reinvent the wheel. In today's competitive world, there is no repository of optimized designs (these are either proprietary or patented), and by default, most producers provide inferior products, while a few produce the state-of-art. This is a model that works, but wastes tremendous amounts of human creativity and energy. By opening up access to best practices, costs would go down, and access to the best products would increase.
#'''Appropriate scale''' - in, his seminal book, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Is_Beautiful Small is Beautiful], E. F. Schumacher discussed that the most holistically-efficient economic processes occur not on the global scale, but on the regional and community scale. Schumacher's viewpoint, while generally accepted as true, is not widely practiced today. Distributive economics favors a scale which does not incur inefficiencies of large scale (overhead costs, bureaucracy, communication costs, logistics, others). Schumacher's conclusion is that human organizations break down after they reach a certain large size, which suggests that in order for enterprise to be efficients, it should not be overly large.
#'''Flexible fabrication''' - maximum distribution of the fruits of production occurs via [[Flexible Fabrication]]. Flexible fabrication allows producers to (a) make products today using today's best designs. Inflexible fabrication forces producers to face the dilemma of either (b) continuing to produce inferior products that may have been the best known design years ago when the production line was set up, or (c) not producing anything at all for a few weeks while the old line is torn down and a new line is set up.
#'''Lifetime design''' - maximizing the useful lifetime of a product, by design, reduces the cost of access to that product. For example, if a product lasts 100 years instead of 10 years, its cost is essentially reduced by a factor of 10, assuming that the initial product cost is the same.
#'''Free enterprise''' - this means truly free enterprise where the playing field is leveled by open access to best-practice information (optimized product design, optimized production process design, and other economic analysis). This is the opposite of monopoly capitalism enforced by welfare-state [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynesian_economics Keynesian economics]
#'''Responsibility''' - accountability of communities for creating complete local economies implies autonomy on a local scale, while providing positive feedback loops for social and environmental responsibility. The intervening role of the welfare state is diminished as the people in take responsibility for their own well-being within their own communities.
#'''Radical cost reduction''' - Lifetime design, combined with DIY production - can result in 100-fold cost reduction for a given product. For a whole set of products, such as the infrastructure for an entire community - Radical [[Hypermodularity]] can result in another factor 10 reduction - if a given component is used over in other applications, like industrial-strength Lego blocks. Thus, radical cost reduction of 1000 times is possible when a community seizes complete control over its own economic production by attending to lifetime design, local production, and hypermodularity.

=Links on Distributive Production and Open Business Models=

*Shoshanna Zuboff, [http://drfd.hbs.edu/fit/public/facultyInfo.do?facInfo=res&facEmId=szuboff%40hbs.edu distributed capitalism]
*[http://web.mit.edu/evhippel/www/democ1.htm Democratizing Innovation] - Eric vonhimmel

=FAQ=

*'''Why are distributive economics important?'''
The distribution of wealth is continuing to deteriorate, as the rich get richer and the poor is poorer. This phenomenon is accompanied by human abuse and environmental degradation. While it may appear that the advent of advanced technology and of the information age would favor more equitable distribution of wealth, that is not the case.
*'''Is there a metric for quantifying the success of distributive economics?'''
There is a qualitative metric known as the [[Gross National Happiness]]. To date, it has been adopted as the official policy only in the country of Bhutan. [[OSE Specifications]] are a metric for quantifying distributive economic potential by attaching a score to a particular product or activity.
*'''Would there be enough wealth for everybody if all the capital in the world were distributed among all the earth's denizens?'''
The answer is positive only if there were not a single greedy person on the planet.
*'''Would the distributive economics paradigm disrupt the mainstream economic system?'''
There is no reason why both systems can not co-exist side-by-side. On an equal playing field, both would compete for market share, and the best one would win, assuming that there is no foul play.
*'''You ''effin'' communists, are you trying to bring down the entire economic system, which has brought us all the quality of life that we all enjoy today?'''
We are apolitical, we do not promote state capitalism or any political ideology - we are providing a set of tools that can be used in numerous applications. Nor do we think that "we all enjoy today" a high standard of living. A high standard of living applies only to a small fraction of the global population.
*'''Are you suggesting a new economic concept?'''
There is nothing new about the concept of ''distributive economics''. Buckminster Fuller, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, among other thought leaders, have discussed the concept at length, though by using different languaging. It is a concept endorsed in theory by liberals, conservatives, environmentalists, radicals, anarchists, fundamentalists, capitalists, socialists, and many others, but it is rarely practiced. Social enterprise and the [[Bright Green]] approach are on the right track, but short of articulating the full scope of the open source/open business model paradigm. http://floing.org is a site that attempts to document this emerging paradigm.

[[Category:Guiding philosophies]]

Aluminum Extractor from Clay Concept

2011-09-13T02:26:21Z

DavidCary: suggest merge to Aluminum Extractor

{{Breadcrumb|Materials}}
{{mergeto|Aluminum Extractor}}

This is a machine for processing clay, an abundant feedstock in many parts of the world (already in fine particles) into [[Aluminum]] - a high value, industrial metal. Note the energy requirement:

*About 15kW-hours requirement for 1 kg aluminum produced (1.5 kg diesel energy equivalent at 100% conversion). About 1 gallon fuel consumption per kilogram of aluminum produced assuming 30% conversion of diesel to electrolysis current- super energy intensive if done with traditional fuels
*Process design for producing 1 ton of aluminum per day
*Fueled by [[Solar Concentrator]] electrical power, and [[Modern Steam Engine]] as backup only, for economic sense on a micro-scale
*About 300kW energy requirement for 24 hours per day - huge
**Practical conversion: 2 acres of biomass fuel required to produce 1 ton of aluminum per year
**For 15MW-hours of energy per year - solar concentrator requres under 100 square meters of area to fuel this production (assuming 10% solar conversion efficiency). Less than 1/40th of an acre. 100 times as area efficient as biomass.
*About 100 grams of hydroflouric acid are required in a closed loop cycle to carry out the first hydrofluoric acid leaching process phase of aluminosilicate to alumina
*Second phase is standard [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall-H%C3%A9roult Hall-Héroult] electrolysis.
*Approximately a 6000 square foot facility is required for housing the above process.

Strategically speaking - lunar regolith and Mars settlers are quite interested in this. This process has been developed for extraterrestrial applications initially, where there may be no bauxite.

Subject Matter Experts

Steel

2011-09-13T01:59:07Z

DavidCary: link to related articles, etc.

==Overview==
[[Image:Steel.jpg|thumb|400px|[[Steel]]]]

Steel is used in almost every machine of the [[GVCS]].

==Details==
*[[Steel_from_dirt]]
*[[Microwave Steel]]
*[[Hydrogen-Oxygen Steel Cutting]]

==Product Ecology==
'''Created from raw materials using these tools'''
*[[Induction Furnace]]

'''cut and shaped using these tools'''
*[[Torch]]
*[[Torch Table]]
*[[Laser cutter]]
*[[Robotic Arm]]
*[[Multimachine]]

'''parts connected together by'''
* [[Welder]]
* nuts and bolts and other [[design-for-disassembly]] connectors

'''a part of'''
* Pretty much every tool in the [[GVCS]]
* some kinds of [[Modular Housing Units]]

==See Also==
*[[Aluminum]]

*[[80/20 comparison to steel]]: [http://www.8020.net/T-Slot-1.asp 80/20 Comparisons to Steel]
*[http://www.autodidactics.com/themetal.htm Arc furnace plans]
*[http://www.metalsdepot.com/Cart3/catdl2.phtml?aident= Stock Metal]
*[http://www.aisc.org/content.aspx?id=2890 Structural Steel Sections]

[[category: materials]]

Steel

2011-09-13T01:49:50Z

DavidCary: link to related articles, etc.

==Overview==
[[Image:Steel.jpg|thumb|400px|[[Steel]]]]

Steel is used in almost every machine of the [[GVCS]].

==Details==
*[[Steel_from_dirt]]
*[[Microwave Steel]]
*[[Hydrogen-Oxygen Steel Cutting]]

==Product Ecology==
'''Created from raw materials using these tools'''
*[[Induction Furnace]]

'''cut and shaped using these tools'''
*[[Torch]]
*[[Torch Table]]
*[[Laser CNC]]
*[[Robotic Arm]]
*[[Multimachine]]

'''parts connected together by'''
* [[Welder]]
* nuts and bolts and other [[design-for-disassembly]] connectors

'''a part of'''
* Pretty much every tool in the [[GVCS]]
* some kinds of [[Modular Housing Units]]

==See Also==
*[[Aluminium]]

*[[80/20 comparison to steel]]: [http://www.8020.net/T-Slot-1.asp 80/20 Comparisons to Steel]
*[http://www.autodidactics.com/themetal.htm Arc furnace plans]
*[http://www.metalsdepot.com/Cart3/catdl2.phtml?aident= Stock Metal]
*[http://www.aisc.org/content.aspx?id=2890 Structural Steel Sections]

OSE Christmas Gift to the World 2011

2011-09-13T00:45:42Z

DavidCary: link to related articles, etc.

The main deliverable of Factor e Farm to the world in 2011 is hereby declared as the closure of the base agriculture/construction prototyping cycle:

*Full product release of [[Tractor]], [[Power Cube]], and [[Soil Pulverizer]] by December 24, 2011. [[CEB Press]] is already released.
**Complete documentation - 3D CAD, 2D fabrication drawings, exploded part diagrams, CAM files for open source [[torch table]]
*Demonstration of high-quality housing using CEB
**Extensive field testing of open source tractor with CEB press, plus [[cement mixer]], [[sawmill]], [[trencher]], [[backhoe]]
*Purchase of [[hay rake]], [[hay cutter]], and [[baler]] for study of industry standards and use in construction

See also the [[GVCS Rollout Plan]] and [[Kickstarter]]

<html>
<iframe width="280" height="170" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//_3rAbedHRU8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></html>

Torch table

2011-09-12T23:59:11Z

DavidCary: #redirect CNC Torch Table

#redirect [[CNC Torch Table]]

User talk:Andrew Buck

2011-05-21T17:26:41Z

DavidCary: /* thank you */ new section

hey andrew, i sorta stopped working on it a few months ago. i still need to test it out. when i first started on it there wasnt anything on the well drilling rig page so i was just kinda adding random ideas and stuff. plus somebody was criticizing me on youtube comments :/ so i kinda felt that might not be the best place for the video to be. i still have it here so i might hook it up to a garden hose to see if itll hold water at the very least. i wonder how much psi home water pipes hold? hah. im glad youre working on a more detailed design. i sorta stopped working on it in part i felt like i was the only one. we might get some help from the other guys to organize the wiki pages. -dorkmo

"any suggestions on where to go next would be appreciated." There are several people who check the forums, and new threads display on the weblog seen by true fans, so you might try that.

== thank you ==

Thank you for making this wiki easier to use by categorizing hundreds of images.

--[[User:DavidCary|DavidCary]] 10:26, 21 May 2011 (PDT)

Category:Images by Type

2011-05-21T17:10:57Z

DavidCary: tweak formatting -- is this really better?

This is the top-level category page for a tree of categories breaking down all images on the wiki by what kind of image they are (photograph, 3D render, etc) and what their subject is (person, machine, place, etc). ''All'' images on this wiki should appear in one of the subcategories of this tree ''in addition'' to being placed in a category describing their subject matter as well.

For example this photograph of the CEB press assembly sequence should be placed in [[:Category:Photographs of Machine Fabrication]] to describe its type and subject matter ''and'' it should be placed in [[:Category:CEB Press]] to describe what subject area it pertains to. Various tools exist to compute the intersection and other boolean operations on sets of articles in two or more categories. By sorting images like this and using one of these tools it will be possible to create a page showing, for example, "All of the assembly pictures of the CEB press" by simply computing the intersection of these two categories.

Pictures should be placed into one of the following subcategories:

* [['''[[:Category: 2D Sketch]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: 2D Sketch (Artistic Based)]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: 2D Sketch (CAD Based)]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: 3D Render]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: 3D Render (Artistic Based)]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: 3D Render (CAD Based)]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Diagrams]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Circuit Diagrams]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Photographs of Machine Fabrication]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Photographs of Machines]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Photographs of Commercial Machines]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Photographs of Manufactured Products]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Photographs of People]]''']]
* [['''[[:Category: Slides]]''']]

LifeTrac Questions

2011-05-21T16:46:18Z

DavidCary: yet another wiki discussing grid beam and other modular construction standards

'''Point:''' As far as we know, [[LifeTrac]] is the only device that includes the functionality of an agricultural tractor and skid-steer loader in one.

'''Skid Loader specialization:'''
*Hydraulic drive allows immediate reversal of direction - allowing for rapid digging/moving tasks
*Tight turning because the wheels skid on the ground (hence the name). A skid steer can essentially turn a circle in place
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*Heavy duty tires, about $300 each
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Skid Loader:'''
*Hydraulic drive just like in skid steers has identical performance.
*Tight turning is achieved via articulation of the tractor up to about a 40 degree angle
*Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
*16" truck tires with chains attain high performance at a cost of $30 per wheel (with used tires)
*Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

'''Tractor Specialization:'''
*Faster speed and larger size allows large tracts of land to be worked
*Power take off shaft can power a variety of implements
*3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements on the back of the tractor
*Large rear wheels provide effective traction; dually (doubled) wheel configuration may be used

'''LifeTrac Comparison to Tractor:'''
*High speed can be achieved by going into 2 wheel drive mode, for large-scale agricultural tasks
*Power take off (PTO) shaft can power a variety of implements; PTO is movable, and can be attached on rear, on quick attach plate, or anywhere else.
*Movable 3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements - either on the end of the tractor or on the front quick attach plate.
*4 wheel drive, inexpensive wheels with chains provide good traction; dually wheel configuration may be used

'''Discussion:'''
*LifeTrac has the quick back-and-forth motion found in skid steers - to allow effective digging/moving functions with loader. At the same time, it has the speed and PTO/3-point hitch ability that makes it capable of any agricultural tasks, up to about a 40 acre scale (about 1 hp/acre figure of merit). One cannot do effective, accurate digging with a tractor, where one cannot make sharp turns and must change gears to change direction. All in all, using industrial equipment, one needs both a tractor and a skid loader to do all the functions of which LifeTrac is capable.

*'''Does anyone know of any single device that has the functionality of both a standard agricultural tractor and a skid steer in one, as found in LifeTrac?''' See discussion - [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=LifeTrac_Competitors]
[[Category:Red Pages]]

== square tube construction techniques ==

The basic frame is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing.
That basic frame looks very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.

* Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
* Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

More about grid beam:
* http://www.gridbeamers.com/
* http://www.creatrope.com/blog/make/a-modular-halloween-with-grid-beam/
* http://gridbeam.biz/
* http://p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam_Building_System
* [[Eric Hunting Resource Guide#Matrix.2FBox Beam.2FGrid Beam]]
* http://reprap.org/wiki/Frame_material#grid_beam
* is there a grid beam wiki?

Media History

2011-02-24T05:54:54Z

DavidCary: yet another brief mention

{{Category=OSE}}
Blogs
*[http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2008/11/meanwhile-down.html "Meanwhile, down on the Farm"] - Nov 12, 2008 - Bruce Sterling - wired.com
*[http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2008/02/the-liberator-a.html "The Liberator"] - Feb 28, 2008 - Bruce Sterling - wired.com
*[http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/25/open-source-compress.html "Open source compressed earth block machine"] - Feb 25, 2008 - Cory Doctorow - BoingBoing
*[http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/steve_bosserman/2008/02/09/giving_it_away_making_money.htm Giving it Away, Making Money] - Feb 9, 2008 - Steve Bosserman - Diary of a Knowledge Broker
*[http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/marcin-jakubowskis-open-farm-the-most-important-social-experiment-in-the-world/2008/01/22 The Most Important Social Experiment in the World?] - Jan 22, 2008 - Michel Bauwens - P2P Foundation
* [http://www.wonderhowto.com/wonderment/build-your-own-civilization-with-global-village-construction-set-0125128/ "Build Your Own Civilization with the Global Village Construction Set"] - 2011-02 - WonderHowTo

News

Television

Journals

Crash Course on Power Electronics

2010-09-26T04:46:04Z

DavidCary: link to related wiki articles

For mastering the Power Electronics Construction Set component of OSE work - step one is an overview tutorial on power electronics. This means basic explanations of multi-purpose controllers and their connection to power-handling elements. This includes:

#How to control current output from any AC or DC input
#How to control voltage level coming out of any AC or DC input
#Managing conversion from AC to DC for various purposes.

Explanations should include wiring for stock components, such as PWM signal generators, and corresponding power handling elements.

The above should address full modularity, and scalability. By modularity - we mean plugging in additional units for added power, or added voltage.

The practical tools should also be explained, in terms of open source software for:

#Designing and modifying circuits
#Generating fabrication files
#Producing them/getting them produced

Thus, the above should cover conceptual and practical understanding of building, at all scales from watts to 500kW (the scale we deem sufficient on all counts for a full, resilient community):

#Inverters
#Converters
#Charge controllers for various generators feeding a microgrid: [[Inverters & Grid Intertie]]
#Inverter welder power supplies
#Welder power supplies for the [[Open Source Welder]]
#Plasma cutter power supplies for the [[Plasma Cutter]]
#Induction furnace power supplies: [[:Category:Induction Furnace]]
#DC, AC, and stepper motor controllers: [[CNC]] and [[Electric Motor Controls]]
#Battery chargers

The point is to start with conceptual understanding of an integrated framework for handling applied power electronics, and then moving to particular applications. If presented conceptually, in a modular, open source design fashion - with modules for functionality and for scalability - I don't see why a non-expert like myself cannot pick up on the material to be very proficient in creating/building real-world applications.

Specifically, here are some examples of the needs of OSE:
#a low-cost, high-power windmill cannot be designed properly without mastery of power electronics for handling power that fluctuates widely.
#Mastery of power electronics is essential for building a robust charge controller for a steam engine feeding a microgrid or a battery bank - especially if the steam engine is powered via fluctuating solar concentrator power

The end point of this is a Crash Course on Power Electronics, in the general framework of our approach to creating resilient communities.

= Common Types of Power Circuits =
== Converters ==
Power converters are the most common type of power electronic circuits. Converters take electrical power in one form and reshape it into another. The following table shows the different conversions and the common circuits used.

{|border='1'
!Conversion
!Common Circuits
!Notes
|-
|AC to AC
|Transformer
|Transformers are used when the output frequency is the same as the input frequency. If the frequency needs to be changed, then a Rectifier-Inverter cascade needs to be used.
|-
|AC to DC
|Rectifier
|A rectifier alone will produce an unregulated DC voltage. Rectifiers are often followed by a DC to DC converter or other voltage regulator.
|-
|DC to DC
|Switching Mode Converter
|There are many ways of converting DC voltage, but Switching power supplies tend to be the most versatile and efficient.
|-
|DC to AC
|Inverter
|
|}

Efficiency is a key consideration with all converters. Power lost to inefficiency results in heat. This means that more expensive parts may be needed, more parts added for cooling systems, and an overall higher stress on the whole unit. Converter circuits will have a sweet spot where they are most efficient, and then efficiency will roll off as the operating point moves away from that spot. This can make it difficult to make a single unit that is capable of a wide range of operations.

=== Transformers ===
Transformers work with AC power. They have two (or more for multi-phase AC) coils that are inductively coupled. Electricity flowing through one of them with produce an electricity flow through the other. By using a different number of turns in the coils, the voltage can be stepped up or down. Transformers are pretty simple to operate, requiring no external power or controller, and can be quite robust. However they tend to use a lot metal, making them large and heavy.

=== Rectifiers ===
The most useful rectifier is the diode bridge. It uses four diodes to convert AC power, which is negative half of the time, into all positive power. The voltage will still vary, however, so it becomes most useful when a capacitor is added to the DC output to smooth the ripples. The maximum DC voltage that a diode bridge will have is the peak AC voltage minus twice the voltage drop of the diodes.

=== Switching Mode Converters===
Switching mode converters use Pulse Width Modulation to controller a transistor. This means that the transistor is either fully on, or completely off. Both of these state ideally result in no power loss in the transistor. Two of the basic examples of this type of converter are the Buck and the Boost. The Buck converter can convert DC voltages to a lower voltage, while the Boost can convert to higher voltages. Different configurations of these circuits can be made that combine these two types or adjust them to produce a large range of DC outputs, including outputs that are negative from the inputs.

=== Inverters ===
Inverters take DC voltage and create a square or sine wave. They often include a transformer to bring the voltage to the desired output voltage.

== Controllers ==
Controllers adjust the voltage, current, or total power going to a load.
=== Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)===
Pulse Width Modulation is a method of controlling current to a load by using short bursts of full power of varying duty cycles. The advantage of PWM is that the controller operates in a fully switch mode, giving very good efficiency, and the load will receive full power during the 'on' portions. PWM can be used in all kinds of applications from controlling the brightness of an LED, to adjusting the speed of an electric motor.
=== Constant Current / Constant Voltage ===
Constant Current and Constant Voltage supplies will try to keep the current going through a load, or the voltage across a load, constant even if load changes.
== Specialized Devices ==
There are many specialized devices that perform a combination of functions and monitoring.
=== Battery Chargers and Monitors ===
Different types of batteries have generally have different charging profiles so battery chargers need to be designed with a particular battery technology in mind. Voltage, current, temperature of the battery, and time charging are all factors that need to be taken into account.
=== Motor Controllers ===
There are many types of motors, so again, there are many types of controllers. Some examples of other factors that the controllers may get additional feedback on are RPMs, incremental position, absolute position, or force.
See [[Electric Motor Controls]] for details.

[[Category:Power Electronics]]