Andrew Graham Log

Ideas to implement

- it may be possible to layout 3D objects from sketchup in free cad to be flat. it could be done dynamically using python script. this would give a proper procedural workflow for dimensioning. doing it manually isn't feasible because adjustments to sketchup files are asking for trouble. When it comes to the cam process you have to do it all over again to ensure you aren't maintaining any old incorrect parts. http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Python_scripting_tutorial

- Build a workflow in Houdini to dynamically build a dxf with dimensioning and instructions for fabrication

- Build a procedural animation tool to follow a spreadsheet for construction order. The result from houdini would be an open GL animation of the build of the model.

To do list

- need more gas - need to go shopping in town for some things not at the local supermarket

- hot water flow threshold to turn on is too high. kitchen tap needs to be turned on full for it to work.

- empty ash container.

- rodent problem -thorough clean of kitchen and seal food away.

- Edit down time-lapse video.

- Make a sign to make sure people don't burn treated pine in the fire.

17th March, 2014

Updated CAD. Chamfered corners, removed excess hinge parts, rotated struts 90 degrees. added gussets, but now they may not be necessary with the struts at 90 degrees. easy to remove. stacking of the hinge components around the hydraulic mechanism has been changed for better strength and ease of construction.

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_-_Overall_Machine_-_3D_CAD

I also submitted a complaint to google, sketch up 2014 eliminated features in the free version of 2013 so that you have to pay for them. It's no longer possible to export to 3DS and most other pro formats now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9TdFNZwLtc&feature=em-upload_owner

16th March, 2014

Added dhal to recipes- http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Recipes

Fixed vacuum cleaner.

Setup DIY mouse trap design to drown rodents. http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Mouse_trap

15th March, 2014

Recipe for Dahl. For 8 people. Awesome vegetarian power food high in protein.

4 onions.

half a bulb of garlic

1.5kg lentils or split peas, soaked for as long as you can during the day, overnight if possible. if not, it will just take longer to cook but it works out fine. rinse them thoroughly!

Coconut oil

teaspoon whole cumin seeds

cumin powder

garam masala

salt

pepper

chilli or cayenne pepper

turmeric

sour cream and cilantro for garnish.

heat the oil and keep an eye on it so it doesn't smoke. fry the cumin seeds for a bit then add the onions and garlic on high. when the onions are clear to brown colour add 1/2 teaspoons of the rest of the spices and the lentils. add water to the pot until the lentils are just covered. keep on high heat until it starts to boil, then simmer until the lentils are soft/falling apart. this usually takes an hour. add to bowls and garnish with the cilantro and sour cream!

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Added large grain sand and clay mix to top right corner of hablab. when dried we added mist and then lime wash. it may need another layer.

Painted the outside door frames yellow.

Modifications added to http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_-_Overall_Machine_-_Review

Current design revisions-

1. Long reinforcement on edge of lid - 1/4 x 2. Current reinforcement needs to be rotated 90 degrees.

2. Centre the cylinder mount, add an extra strut for symmetry.

3. gusset 1/2" x 4" triangle on the rod end mount

4. 45 degrees angle on outside hinge to lip mount.

14th March, 2014

tomatoe varieties for OSE - jetstart homestead, bhn 1021 defiant phr

setting out planting guide for kansas city http://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-dates/zipcode/64151

13th March, 2014

Updated cad file and range of motion. Added hinges and correct thicknesses. http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_-_Overall_Machine_-_3D_CAD

Collaboration notes: setting up remote collaboration for the design process in solid works can be aided by a synchronized web folder to users local paths. drop box achieves this but has a size limit. we need software that can do that locally to a raid array with offsite backup. Eric Potash suggested aero fs https://www.aerofs.com We also have http://www.bittorrent.com/sync which looks very promising with redundancy and http://owncloud.org

Lime wash

Determined that the 4 parts lime/3 parts water then salt added (salt is 1/5th the lime amount by volume, not weight) is a good mix provided the surface is smooth. On a rough surface this mix is too thick. If the mix is too thick it can crack due to shrinkage after drying. For a rough surface, this mix instead works - 1 part lime / 1 part water by volume, with salt being the same ratio as before - 1/5th the amount of lime by volume. It isn't necessary to mix the salt with more water prior to mixing with a drill in both these recipes. this was done on previous days to help mix more evenly, but these mixes are both watery enough to not worry about this.

Pre misting the area before applying the lime wash prevents cracking significantly. This is done by lightly misting so the soil looks darkened and damp, but not soaking wet which affects the bond negatively. Waiting a while to see it dry a little (~30 seconds) and repeating this 4 or 5 times helps create a deeper bond into to adobe wall when the lime wash is applied.

Hard synthetic brushes are ok to use only on smoothly rendered stucco, but on mud stucco these can be too abrasive and affect application. softer brushes like the thick ones we use from horse hair apply the mix really smoothly and work really well on both types of surfaces.

[4/3 mix failing in divots] [testing with spray]

For filling holes with earth plaster, Chris also added that they had success when mixing coarse grain sand with the clayey soil 3/1 and that there was no shrinkage problems when filling holes. they mixed it with their hands. they also sprayed the wall which helped.

3D Printer that Coulton fixed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH_0sHNAd9w

12th March, 2014

• 3D range of motion test for hydraulic cylinder.
• http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_-_Opening_Mechanism_Module_-_Calculations
• http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:RangeOfMotion.png
• http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_-_Opening_Mechanism_Module_-_Bill_of_Materials
• Hablab whitewash testing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiA1LRERXjU&list=UU0Jra6oMPLejbnPr4bzxdpg

Determined that thick 2 to 1 lime/water ratio is too thick and cracks in some areas. Prepping with misting the adobe layer before limewashing definitely reduces cracking. We are also testing two recipes for tomorrow. One that is 4/3 Lime/water. The other that is 1/1. We will test both of these to see which works better.

11th March, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjADHmrkFy4

Tested different whitewash formula. it appeared that thick lime wash was less tolerant of some areas of the wall and was peeling back at some points after some time had passed. We applied a thin whitewash with the consistency of cream or milk at the end to different parts of the wall to see if we could avoid the peeling problem.

Drew the clamshell mechanism and hinge in sketch up for the Soil Mixer.

Screenshot

Sketchup in progress File:SoilPulverizerV1s001.skp

10th March, 2014

Timelapse of wall painting- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4bef_KFQts

Helped sketch designs for soil mixer.

Painted wall with Lauren and Cat. (timelapse video in progress)

Cooked thai style fried rice for dinner.

Commenced ideation for procedural animation of the GVCS in Houdini for documentation.

9th March, 2014

Soil Mixer Requirements.

Append design Rationale - http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Soil_Mixer_Construction_Set_Requirements

Laid hay over the ground to stop mud being moved along the path.