Sunday, August 21, 2011

Back to the Drawing Board

It's been a while since I've been on here.  While I haven't been idle in this time, I have been working out some important process issues and getting some of my technology on line.  Here's what I've come up with, and what you can expect.

The MR 340 for 2012 is a little under a year away.  I chose to compete in the Kawnivore for the experience (brutal as it was) and use the additional time to perfect a design rather than run a prototype on short notice.  I have some time now, and I want to go back over my progress to improve what is there.

As a part of this, I will create computer models of what I am building.  Over the last month I got some help from my friends and have put together a computer devoted to Solidworks.  I also have a legit copy of the software and am in the process of refreshing my knowledge by doing tutorials.

In the physical world, I am going through and improving my shop.  There is a lot of work to be done around the Armadillo Works and I can't delay on it any more.  Principally, I need a decent prototable (a work surface away from the bench), better drawing area, an organized hardware section, and some improved storage.  There is a lot of stuff in there, and without organization I tend to let it got out of hand.  Keeping a clean area will not only improve the work, it will make you want to work.

This is the Prototable I built for Scott Padiak & Assoc.
The major problems I am facing now are a lack of deadline and a fast approaching hunting season.  I guess I could add to this a lack of funds and a need to work, but those seem to be ever-present.  In any case, I am going to continue progress and continue to use this blog to follow as well as to motivate me.

Hope you stick around.
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. smithianpAugust 25, 2011 at 4:05 AM

    That's a good looking table. How much weight can you put on that leaf? I'm always nervous about snapping things like that off. But for just handy places to spread out a bunch of project materials, it looks just about right. Do you have a template made up for the armadillo? I'm thinking about painting my bike to make it more unique and, with your permission, I would like to put the armadillo on it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 26, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    The leaf- or breadboards as we called them- can support a bunch. Mostly they are just a spot to set tools that you don't want on the main surface. I usually had the main surface covered with the model or whatever, so tools and drawings went on the boards so they would be within reach but out of the way.
    As for the armadillo, sure you can put it on your bike. You were there when I drew the original. I'm on a slow connection, but I will send you a high resolution copy when I get on a faster page.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)