Update for Week Ending 11-13-10

As of the end of this week we have been to the machine shop three times and are preparing to finish the 3 manufactured parts due next Friday.

The toggle arm motor mount has been completed with the exception of the mounting holes.  These will be drilled and counter bored next week.

We're changing the mounting process that we're going to use with the pillows in order to make better use of our time.  Previously the plan was to create 3 holes in the base of each pillow, one for a bolt and two for dowel pins.  Since it is going to take too long to get the appropriate precision for the dowel pin holes we are changing the design so each pillow is connected to the base plate via two 1/4-20 bolts.  The current design will look like this:

Front and back pillow

Another component that will be manufactured soon is the base plate.  This will be done on the water jet because it involves lots of holes.  The counter bores for each hole will then be finished on the mill.

Base plate (bottom view to show counterbores)

Finally, a recap of the lessons we learned in the shop this week.  Hopefully this will keep someone else from having these difficulties.

When using the edge finder to zero the x and y co-ordinates after milling a part to size, remember to do two things.  

1. Take into account the radius of the edge finder itself!  Otherwise measurements will be ~0.1" off.
2. When re-orienting a part to work on a different aspect of it, remember to re-zero the mill off of the same edge as before!  This edge will likely be in a different location than it was, so be careful.  

That's all for now.  Expect more updates as this week unfolds.