Ironworker 3

The is the main page for version 3 of the Ironworker. See that page for general info and how it fits into the GVCS.

Status

As of Oct 2013, we're finishing version 3. See the Research and development link above.

As of Feb 2020 - this is the existing documentation - https://www.youtube.com/user/marcinose/search?view_as=subscriber&query=ironworker

Build - 2013

Getting the Blade Gap Correct

Blade gap problem statement:

5 Hour Assembly Time Total 'From Kit'

2.5 hours to assemble, up to the midway point of operating machine.

Blade Gap Not Right

When the blade gap is not right, the machine does not cut and just stalls -

Cut Samples of 1/2"x12" Steel and 1"x4" Steel

Showing 1/2"x12" cut - good results. Some excessive blade gap visible with the 1/2"x8" cut. Showing 1"x4" cut - nice. Next moving to 1"x6".

Bending

Bending of the frame is visible at 1"x6" steel cutting- but that is using 4" square tubing with 1/4" wall. So we decided to go to 1/2" wall tubing to cut 1"x6" steel and higher. The results with 1"x8" above are actually after the frame was redone from 1/4" to 1/2".

At the end of the day, we went up to 1"x8" (caught in above videos), and then we continued. I can't remember if we got up to 1" by 10" or 12"- but at the end, the upper arm bent so we ended up taking the machine up to destructive testing. We did not use the Prototype 3 machine after that, because our Prototype 2 machine works better with a streamlined workpiece holder clampdown. We have succeeded in a proof of concept that a radically simplified design can be effective.

The remarkable part is that the machine is nominally a 2 part count design: tubing and bolts! Which shows the limit of simplicity for a powerful machine which still maintains a proper blade gap. You can see our playlist here - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Jpysxw3Ty9MoPMozOaTrMGGbiNo0HZO

Links

• Ironworker Genealogy
• Realtime Documentation