Open Source Hardware Modularity Pattern Language
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Introduction
See initial discussion from 2006 at Open Source Technology Pattern Language. This is the next phase in 2012 after practical experience with many of the modules.
While this language appears obvious - a car for example has a power unit, transmission, wheels - the distinguishing features of this set are:
- Rapid access to replacement of modules - for example, typical replacement of a transmission module in a car takes hours. Here, a transmission module can be fitted in minutes.
- Flexibility - modules are typically dedicated to specific machines in industry-standard pracice. Here, these are adaptable to many applications to convert one machine into another - such as a tractor to a bulldozer.
- Universal rotor module - typically, rotors are dedicated devices, such as a circular sawmill or a hammermill or drill press. The rotor may be generalized. Concept: many implements are versions of a rotor, such as a cement mixer, tractor wheels, pelletizer, rototiller, spader, honey extractor, juicer, extruder, washing machine, string trimmer, hay cutter, hammermill, etc. Thus, separating rotor-based machines into a universal rotor and attachments for this rotor allows one to simplify design significantly. If the universal rotor motor can scale (in power, rpm, torque, angular accuracy) - a single universal rotor can be the backbone of a large number of implements. This drastically reduces the cost of access to a large set of these machines.
Modules
Examples
The pattern language icons produce a rough representation of more complex devices. See also more colorful examples at Pattern Language.
Product Ecology Pattern Language
General
- Direct drive whenever possible
- Quick connect power units, stackable, scalable
- Quick connect wheel units, stackable implements
- Universal rotor - contains modular motor and implements; mounts on 4x4 tubing
- Linear ways - applicable to well rig, sawmill, material-handling rollers, and non-precision carriage including replaceable work tables for precision equipment
- Nonprecision drive can be stacked pn precision ways
- Precision ways can be stacked cartesian and rotary wise for n-axis motion (6 axis base - 3 rotary, 3 linear)
- Torque-up for extreme torque requirements, but not gear up for speed; use faster hydraulic motors instead
- Roll steel from scrap and form tubing for going from scrap stream tool chain up to modern technology
- Ultiimate goal: ball bearings and precision ball screws; Cat 40 CNC mills; rubber o-rings; mirrors; precision grinding infrastructure; 5 kW lasers; water jet cutters; 20' scale scale metal bending and rolling.
- Induction furnace is heart of materials provision for metal rolling and alloying, and heat treating
- Rotary implements: cover a wide range of power
- Hydraulic power is primary universal power source
- Modern external combustion engines are heart of power generation for fueling by solar and biomass power
- Earth is the heart of construction
- Aluminum smelting from clay is limit of material abundance
- Solar thermal concentator is limit of power abundance
- Glass and semiconductor smelting are limit of nonmetal chemistry
- Plants are basis of all organic chemistry (food, fuel, fiber, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals)