LifeTrac II Build/Frame Construction Video Script - Revision history

Ian Midgley at 07:24, 29 September 2011

2011-09-29T07:24:32Z

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	The LifeTrac Tractor frame is constructed from eighteen pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/4 inch steel tube. These pieces are cut and drilled to make eight unique ~~forms~~ that are then assembled with 9 ~~1/2~~ x 3/4 inch bolts.		The LifeTrac Tractor frame is constructed from eighteen pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/4 inch steel tube. These pieces are cut and drilled to make eight unique members that are then assembled with 9 x 3/4 inch bolts.

	This video includes the most updated measurements from LifeTrac III prototypes on the Factor E Farm. I will refer to the orientation of the frame pieces as if we ~~are~~ sitting in the drivers seat of the LifeTrac: north is to the front end where the loader will be attached, south is behind us at the back of the tractor, west is on our left hand side and east is on our right hand side. All lateral measurements of the beams are from left to right, all measurements of depth are from front to back, and all measurements of height are from top to bottom. Each drill hole is measured from one end of the tube to accommodate for error in tube length. ~~Drill each hole completely through the tube~~.		This video includes the most updated measurements from LifeTrac III prototypes on the Factor E Farm. I will refer to the orientation of the frame pieces as if we were sitting in the drivers seat of the LifeTrac: north is to the front end where the loader will be attached, south is behind us at the back of the tractor, west is on our left hand side and east is on our right hand side. All lateral measurements of the beams are from left to right, all measurements of depth are from front to back, and all measurements of height are from top to bottom. Each drill hole is measured from one end of the tube to accommodate for error in tube length. Pay careful attention to only measure from this reference point.

	~~1- First step is to cut and drill~~ the ~~lower~~ frame pieces. ~~These three pieces are identical~~, ~~measuring 60 inches in length. Cut~~ the steel ~~tubes with either a cut off saw or a bandsaw to a length~~ of ~~60 inches~~. ~~Drill 3/16 inch holes~~ on the ~~side~~ of the ~~first tube at a distance of 14 inches~~ and ~~46 inches~~ from the ~~left side. Rotate~~ the tube ~~90 degrees and drill holes on the top at a distance of 2 inches~~, ~~10 inches, 50 inches~~, and ~~58 inches. Once again, the measurement of each hole~~ is from one ~~end of the tube~~. ~~Repeat drilling holes on all three lower frame pieces~~.		We have recently developed a new jig for measuring hole positioning on the frame pieces. On previous fabrication, a short square jig was used to mark transfer punch locations on the steel tube, allowing for accurate measurement simultaneously on both sides of the tube. This jig was useful only on the ends of the pieces and would have to be applied from each end separately. The new jig will run the length of the tube, include every hole, and is to be applied from one side making its application straightforward. We are currently developing and documenting this jig.

	~~Lay out six blocks on~~ the ~~floor of your workshop to assembled~~ the frame on. ~~Place~~ the three lower frame pieces on the ~~blocks~~.		First step is to cut the steel tube into the proper lengths for the 18 frame pieces. Cut the steel tubes with either a cut off saw, cold cut saw, or a bandsaw. A torch will work too. Cut the three lower frame pieces identically, measuring 60 inches in length. Cut the four bottom north/south frame pieces to a length of 76 inches. The vertical frame pieces are fabricated in pairs. The front, middle, and rear vertical pieces are different lengths. Cut the two front vertical pieces to a height of 55 inches. Now cut the two middle vertical pieces to a height of 52 inches. Cut the two rear vertical pieces to a height of 59 inches. Cut the two top north/south frame pieces to a length of 68 inches. Lastly, cut the three top cross pieces to a length of 44 inches.

	2 - ~~Next cut and~~ drill the ~~two~~ identical ~~inner north/south~~ pieces. ~~Cut~~ the ~~tubes to~~ a ~~length~~ of 76 inches. ~~On the side of~~ the tube~~, drill holes at 6 inches, 9 inches, 13 inches, 30 inches, 63 inches, 67 inches,~~ and ~~70 inches~~. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 55 inches, 58 inches, ~~62 inches, and 74 inches~~.		1- Now we drill the three identical lower frame pieces. Drill 13/16 inch holes on the side of the first tube at a distance of 14 inches and 46 inches from the left end. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat on the other side. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes on the top at a distance of 2 inches, 10 inches, 50 inches, and 58 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat these holes on the bottom of the tube. Once again, every measurement is from one end of the tube. Repeat drilling holes on all three lower frame pieces.

	~~3 - Now cut~~ the ~~two outer identical outer north/south pieces at a length~~ of ~~76 inches. Drill holes on~~ the ~~side at 9 inches, 13 inches, 63 inches, and 67 inches~~. ~~Rotate~~ the ~~tube 90 degrees and drill holes in~~ the ~~top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 58 inches, 62 inches, and 74 inches~~.		Lay out six blocks on the floor of your workshop upon which to assemble the frame. Place the three lower frame pieces on the blocks.

	~~Place~~ the inner ~~and outer~~ north/south pieces ~~on top~~ of the ~~lower frame pieces on the workshop floor~~. ~~Adjust~~ the ~~blocks so you have access to~~ the ~~underside~~ of the ~~holes~~. ~~Align~~ the holes ~~you've drilled~~ and ~~bolt together using washers~~. If the ~~holes are not exact you may need to drill them out further~~.		2 - Next drill the two bottom identical inner north/south pieces. On the side of the tube, drill holes at 6 inches, 9 inches, 13 inches, 30 inches, 63 inches, 67 inches, and 70 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat these holes on the other side of the tube. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 55 inches, 58.5 inches, 62 inches, and 74 inches. Rotate another 180 degrees and repeat holes on the bottom of the tube.

	~~The vertical frame~~ pieces ~~are fabricated~~ in ~~pairs~~. ~~The front~~, ~~middle~~, and ~~rear vertical pieces are different lengths~~.		3 - Drill holes on the side of the two identical bottom outer north/south pieces at 9 inches, 13 inches, 63 inches, and 67 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the other side. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 58.5 inches, 62 inches, and 74 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the bottom.

	~~4 - First cut~~ the ~~two identical front vertical~~ pieces ~~to a height~~ of ~~55 inches~~. ~~Drill holes on~~ the ~~front~~ of the ~~piece at 6 inches and 50 inches~~. ~~Rotate~~ the ~~tube 90 degrees~~ and ~~drill holes in the~~ side ~~at 2 inches~~ and ~~46 inches~~.		Place the bottom inner and outer north/south pieces on top of the lower frame pieces on the workshop floor. Adjust the blocks so you have access to the underside of the holes. Align the holes you've drilled and bolt together loosely using washers on either side and metal lock nuts. If the holes are not exact you may need to drill them out further.

	5 - ~~Now cut~~ the two identical ~~middle~~ vertical pieces ~~to a height of 52~~ inches. ~~Drill~~ holes on the ~~front~~ of the ~~piece at 6 inches, 24 inches, and 50 inches~~. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches and 46 inches.		4 - Drill holes on the front of the two identical front vertical pieces at 6 inches and 50 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the back of the tube. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches and 46 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the other side.

	6- ~~Cut~~ the two identical ~~rear~~ vertical pieces ~~to a height of 59~~ inches. ~~Drill~~ holes on the front at 2 inches, 21 inches, 29.5 inches, 47.5 inches, and 54 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 6 inches and 50 inches.		5 - Next drill holes on the front of the two identical middle vertical pieces at 6 inches, 24 inches, and 50 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat on the back. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches and 46 inches. Rotate another 180 degrees and repeat holes on the other side of the tube.

			6- Now drill holes on the front of the two identical rear vertical pieces at 2 inches, 21 inches, 29.5 inches, 47.5 inches, and 54 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the back. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 6 inches and 50 inches. Rotate another 180 degrees and repeat holes on the other side of the tube.

	Mount the vertical frame pieces to the the inner corners of the lower frame with bolts, nuts, and washers. Tighten loosely, leaving a little room for play.		Mount the vertical frame pieces to the the inner corners of the lower frame with bolts, nuts, and washers. Tighten loosely, leaving a little room for play.

	7 - On to the top of the frame. ~~Cut~~ the two identical top north/south frame pieces ~~to a length of 68 inches. Drill holes in the top~~ at 6 inches, 22 inches, and 62 inches. Rotate the tube and drill holes in the side at 2 inches, 26 inches, and 66 inches. At 46.5 inches, mark a center point and then torch out a hole with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches. This is where the tractor arms will connect.		7 - On to the top of the frame. Drill holes in the top of the two identical top north/south frame pieces at 6 inches, 22 inches, and 62 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the bottom. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches, 26 inches, and 66 inches. At 46.5 inches, mark a center point and then torch out a hole with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches. This is where the tractor arms will connect. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the other side, including torch hole.

	Mount the top north/south frame pieces to the vertical frame pieces.		Mount the top north/south frame pieces to the vertical frame pieces.

	8 - Lastly, ~~cut~~ the three identical top cross pieces ~~to a length of 44~~ inches. ~~Drill~~ holes on the ~~front at 6 inches and 38 inches~~. Rotate the tube and drill holes on the top at 2 inches and 42 inches.		8 - Lastly, drill holes on the front of the three identical top cross pieces at 6 inches and 38 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the back. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes on the top at 2 inches and 42 inches. Rotate the tube 180 degrees and repeat holes on the bottom.

	Mount the top cross pieces to the frame. Tighten all frame bolts extra tight.		Mount the top cross pieces to the frame. Tighten all frame bolts extra tight.

	For additional information and media on fabricating and assembling the LifeTrac frame, visit the Open Source Ecology wiki page.		This completes the entire frame upon which the wheels, front loader, power cubes, motors, and valves can be mounted. Furthermore, this frame is one hundred percent designed for disassembly except for the wheel motor mounts for which it is absolutely critical that they do not shift at risk of motor shaft breakage, for which reason they are welded. However, in the future prototypes will consider a method that allows for an even easier way to mount the wheels and motors without using any welds on the frame. For additional information and media on fabricating and assembling the LifeTrac frame, visit the Open Source Ecology wiki page.

Ian Midgley: Created page with " The LifeTrac Tractor frame is constructed from eighteen pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/4 inch steel tube. These pieces are cut and drilled to make eight unique forms that are then assembl..."

2011-09-28T20:47:59Z

Created page with " The LifeTrac Tractor frame is constructed from eighteen pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/4 inch steel tube. These pieces are cut and drilled to make eight unique forms that are then assembl..."

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The LifeTrac Tractor frame is constructed from eighteen pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/4 inch steel tube. These pieces are cut and drilled to make eight unique forms that are then assembled with 9 1/2 x 3/4 inch bolts.

This video includes the most updated measurements from LifeTrac III prototypes on the Factor E Farm. I will refer to the orientation of the frame pieces as if we are sitting in the drivers seat of the LifeTrac: north is to the front end where the loader will be attached, south is behind us at the back of the tractor, west is on our left hand side and east is on our right hand side. All lateral measurements of the beams are from left to right, all measurements of depth are from front to back, and all measurements of height are from top to bottom. Each drill hole is measured from one end of the tube to accommodate for error in tube length. Drill each hole completely through the tube.

1- First step is to cut and drill the lower frame pieces. These three pieces are identical, measuring 60 inches in length. Cut the steel tubes with either a cut off saw or a bandsaw to a length of 60 inches. Drill 3/16 inch holes on the side of the first tube at a distance of 14 inches and 46 inches from the left side. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes on the top at a distance of 2 inches, 10 inches, 50 inches, and 58 inches. Once again, the measurement of each hole is from one end of the tube. Repeat drilling holes on all three lower frame pieces.

Lay out six blocks on the floor of your workshop to assembled the frame on. Place the three lower frame pieces on the blocks.

2 - Next cut and drill the two identical inner north/south pieces. Cut the tubes to a length of 76 inches. On the side of the tube, drill holes at 6 inches, 9 inches, 13 inches, 30 inches, 63 inches, 67 inches, and 70 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 55 inches, 58 inches, 62 inches, and 74 inches.

3 - Now cut the two outer identical outer north/south pieces at a length of 76 inches. Drill holes on the side at 9 inches, 13 inches, 63 inches, and 67 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the top at 2 inches, 34 inches, 58 inches, 62 inches, and 74 inches.

Place the inner and outer north/south pieces on top of the lower frame pieces on the workshop floor. Adjust the blocks so you have access to the underside of the holes. Align the holes you've drilled and bolt together using washers. If the holes are not exact you may need to drill them out further.

The vertical frame pieces are fabricated in pairs. The front, middle, and rear vertical pieces are different lengths.

4 - First cut the two identical front vertical pieces to a height of 55 inches. Drill holes on the front of the piece at 6 inches and 50 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches and 46 inches.

5 - Now cut the two identical middle vertical pieces to a height of 52 inches. Drill holes on the front of the piece at 6 inches, 24 inches, and 50 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 2 inches and 46 inches.

6- Cut the two identical rear vertical pieces to a height of 59 inches. Drill holes on the front at 2 inches, 21 inches, 29.5 inches, 47.5 inches, and 54 inches. Rotate the tube 90 degrees and drill holes in the side at 6 inches and 50 inches.

Mount the vertical frame pieces to the the inner corners of the lower frame with bolts, nuts, and washers. Tighten loosely, leaving a little room for play.

7 - On to the top of the frame. Cut the two identical top north/south frame pieces to a length of 68 inches. Drill holes in the top at 6 inches, 22 inches, and 62 inches. Rotate the tube and drill holes in the side at 2 inches, 26 inches, and 66 inches. At 46.5 inches, mark a center point and then torch out a hole with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches. This is where the tractor arms will connect.

Mount the top north/south frame pieces to the vertical frame pieces.

8 - Lastly, cut the three identical top cross pieces to a length of 44 inches. Drill holes on the front at 6 inches and 38 inches. Rotate the tube and drill holes on the top at 2 inches and 42 inches.

Mount the top cross pieces to the frame. Tighten all frame bolts extra tight.

For additional information and media on fabricating and assembling the LifeTrac frame, visit the Open Source Ecology wiki page.