Vernelle Noel's page
Friday 24th February 2012 - Modular Machine Construction System
by Vernelle Noel & Ariadne Smith
Functional Requirements
- self aligning, durable
- materials? - what types of materials are we looking at? cost, error-reducing materials
- no fasteners
- inexpensive
- self-replicating
- easy to manufacture/ fabrication
- maybe no shop bot
- laser cutting maybe easier?
- conventional materials = 80/20, plywood, MDF
- “code/protocol” for designing custom enclosures
- no true “modularity” - machines can design custom constructions, then fabricate them
- have some sort of requirement or model such that users can input dimensions and machine can create custom parts
Current Method:
MTM Snap
References and reading material
Alternative Methods
Concrete
- widely used and affordable material worldwide
- insert molding
Mega Lego
- use larger-scale flexures (similar design to mtm snap)
- use real legos and secure with epoxy/other “solidifying” material
Digital Composite Parts
Modular Mold Construction
- easy-to-use molding = foamcore + concrete
Other Precision Alignment Techniques
- kinematic coupling + magnets (low-cost and easy to find)
- bearing blocks
- expanding shafts
Carbon Fiber
Next Steps
- prototype laser cut flexures
- prototype foam core
- concrete molding
- prototype modular flexures
- think about consistent form designs across all machines
- what types of machines?
- large: mill, loom, vinyl
- small: laser, mill, pen
- materials the machines will be made from?