Gary DeMercurio Log

Monday April 22 2013

1. Traveled back to FeF today, worked out the particulars on relocating many of the items here at the FeF to new homes.
2. Took some before pictures to compare to the clean up afterward.
3. Began work on the design of the Truck. File:PTTruck.skp

Issues so far that I have run into are:

1. Gaps due to the plates on the Quick Connect axles, with current design would need spaces to fill the gaps to keep the tubes aligned correctly.
2. The current axles width is to small to invert the springs as originally planned, and to wide to place the normally. With the current set up the leaf spring would need to be placed on a front or rear tube, placing more stress on the U joint from the moment created around the axle. Have an idea of offsetting the springs on each axle as per the drawing, not sure if its viable, but seems to be a working alternative at the moment.
3. The width of the truck frame in relation to the shallow length depending upon the size of the joint in the middle obviously is cause concern in regards to the amount of articulation we can get for turning.

Sunday April 21 2013

1. The Day one of the most amazing individuals on planet Earth was born....................... Queen Elizabeth
2. My Bday as well!!!! I'm not doing anything today!

Saturday April 20 2013

1. Lost my fight with the torch last night, received remedial training from Marcin today, apparently it is not like riding a bike, after 10 years my skills had left me.

Better by the end of the day.

1. Left FeF for some R and R will return Monday.
2. Created a basic sketch of the tracks for the micro tractor, Marcin and I think we have a good idea of what it should look like. Will create and upload a more detailed sketch when I return.
3. Thanks to Mr. James Slade from Texas for his video. It helped tremendously with the verification of our original measurements.... well done sir it's appreciated!!!
4. Need to begin work on the frontloader drawing for the micro tractor, have some ideas that I think will be simple and work well.

Friday April 19 2013

1. The group started Planning and making arrangements to begin spring cleaning on the FeF. Many exciting changes coming! Those that have been to the FeF will barely recognize it by August. All the changes planned so far take into account the hard work and steadfast dedication those that have come before have dedicated to OSE, while propelling OSE into the future while trying to give those who dedicate their time on site the best experience possible.
2. Looked into upgrades for the Hab Lab to include:

a new on demand hot water system to better sustain visitors Ongoing battle with the heating stove, well will WIN! Looking into expnading the heating ability of the Hab Lab by adding another wood burning stove in the back to make the Hab lab more comfotable.

1. Elliot locked on help to begin clean up for the area for next week.
2. Elliot locked on someone to take some of the unwanted vehicles
3. Began plans to expand the storage capactiy of the facility to properly house the prototypes.
4. Found what we think is the issue with the CNC Torch Table. Good news as it looks as if it will be an easy fix, someone forgot to drill a hole! COuld be up and opperating soon!

Thursday April 18 2013

1. Traveled to the FeF. Met with Adrian, Elliot and Marcin prior to my first visit with Karien of the Shuttleworth foundation. Fantastic person and OSE is lucky to have such people behind them, very excited to be working with Karien and the Shuttleworth foundation! Mud patch on the Stove was a failure, will revisit the fix tomorrow.

Wednesday April 17 2013

Assignment for today:

1. Download a copy of the Quick Connect Wheels from Google Warehouse - [1]
2. Import this file into existing Power Cube - File:PTcube2.skp
3. Create a tracked version with 2 driving wheels and 2 idler wheels as in Microtrac Drive concept. See LifeTrac Tracks.
4. Use 20" spare car wheels for Microtrac. We can go with our standard 30" like on LifeTrac if needed.
5. Call up Mike Hill and inquire when he can do some tube and plate cutting for us, so we can begin playing with 1/4"x4"x4" tubing geometries for LifeTrac Construction Set.
6. Marcin - will create a Google Form to begin formalizing team and review team for OSHW-OSE-CNC Torch Table-v2 and OSHW-OSE-Microtrac-v2
7. Marcin - will create a Howto Explainer for technical contributors.

Original frame was found to lack in length to accommodate the 20" wheel size, much less the 30". Unfortunately a smaller wheel size is not workable due to the clearance issue with the wheel and the bottom of the Quick connect module, less than 2 inch clearance would be unworkable for a tractor in any kind of soil.

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:PtTRAC1.jpg

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:PtTRAC2.1.jpg

There doesn’t seem to be any way to accommodate the existing designs we have without extending the wheelbase, which is what I finally settled on. When trying to modify the frame it always reverted back to a similar design to the original. Good results, could be used in either direction, still maintains the same "frame" on the what I deemed the back, as the older model. Also utilized multiple colors on the top of the frame to show different options. One would give less lateral stability but use less material and decrease weight of the build.

New build photo here along with CAD file.

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:PtTRAC2.skp

http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:PtTRAC2.jpg

Attempted to contact Mike Hill today, hopefully he gets back to me, left my contact information.

Tuesday April 16 2013

1. I figured out how NOT to build things, so I suppose that is a step in the right direction.
2. Built multiple cages for the current 30" power cube. Trying to utilize the dimensions given of 44”x44”x44” but the power cube is just swimming in the frame. Would need to create a frame within the frame to keep the power cube from moving. This would also make nearly half the frame empty space.
3. Also, with the final build I made where the frame was built around the cube, ran into the issue of the frame still being too small to house two quick connect wheels. The frame would need to increase in width by (I'm guesstimating) 16” maybe more, and would still create unused space.
4. The frame created was a good design, but doesn't accomplish what it was meant to, to house two quick connect wheels. Will revisit this tomorrow and follow up when I get to the FeF Thursday. File:PTcube2.skp
5. Need better dimensions on the QC wheels, or at least I need to find them.
6. Created a tutorial on how to install Ubuntu as a dual boot system on a windows computer, not sure where it will be uploaded to, but when it is I'll come back and insert the link. File:DualBoot.odt File opens with Libre office if you need it go here! http://www.libreoffice.org/download

Mon Apr 15, 2013

1. Created a short beginner video on how to build a basic tube framed box for SketchUp - see first vid at http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/OSHW-OSE-CNC_Torch_Table-v2
2. Created a new web page in the Wiki http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/OSHW-OSE-CNC_Torch_Table-v2 and learned how to embed files. Embedded the above Youtube video as well as a Google doc.
3. Created an online storage medium - google drive - for OSE tech to house files to be able to access and utilize the same files instead of sending files back and forth.
4. Started learning LibreCad. YouTube account set up for OpenSourceEcology
5. honed my box making skills in SketchUp... I can build a 4"x4"x2' tubed pipe box consisting of 12 tubes in about 5 minutes.
6. Found a good free video editing program called BB Flashback Express player, allows you to record entire windows, portions, or full screens, also has a video editing program that works very well for making tutorials, very user friendly and easy to learn. A+
7. Researched suspension, chassis and drive train for the car. Looking at independent suspension vs utilizing axles. Axles would be FAR cheaper, however it may depend on what power plant we go with. The VW engine to me seems very expensive for what it is, will still need a transmission to go with it to placing the over all cost near $3,500 for a 1800 CC 50 hp motor. That is HUGE for that amount of horse power, and the old VW engines are.... not the best, rebuilt or not. Depending on weight of the vehicle... is 50 hp going to cut it, I'm fairly certain the VW engine doesn't produce 300ft/lbs of torque either or the HP wouldn't matter. Leaning toward the idea of axles and spring leafs as it would be cheaper, would like to speak to someone that has extensive experience building tube framed cars like what is used in drag cars. Think the 4"x4" tube frame is over kill and expensive, but it may make a good base for a chassis and we could utilize smaller tube frame for the cage.

Sun Apr 14, 2013

1. Researched the differences between the Dobson Gasification unit and similar models, cross referencing cost and build. Also, did some significant research on Plasma units for a research project at Harvard, may switch to the utilization of gasification as a way to reduce local refuse and waste on a smaller scale.
2. Re-wrote http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Factor_e_Farm_Guidelines http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Workshop_Guidelines to better reflect the updated methodologies that will be in place for the work shop and individuals contributing onsite.
3. Downloaded and became familiar with LibreOffice as well as Sketch up
4. Created three tube box designs at 1/2" wall thickness w/hollow profile, and posted it on the wiki at http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Sketchup_Tractor_Construction_Set. Both a jpg and Sketch up file for downloading are available.