2017/03/22 - Preping for Production

This week I refined the 3D print clamp design so that it will be made from smaller components, as well as some other refinements. For one, the areas where the PVC rested used to be composed of seperate quarter smaller parts, which I simplified into a solid (half) circle that can be modifed in size to fit the PVC pipe covers. In addition, I removed the triangular segments that would go into the corresponding cleft, as this simplifies fitting and manufacture.

The image below will give and idea what the assembly will look like. The brown parts are the wooden cross beams, the white segments are the pvc pipes covers (which will go over the rest of the wood sections-not just the area shown), the round grey segments are the 3d Printed parts, and the floating parts are Erector parts that will represent the guide way supports (though I still have to design a way to connect it). Likewise, I intend to use other Erector parts to represent I beam that will be how the clamps will connect each other (which will be placed on the clamps' flange holes), but they are more difficult to replicate.

In addition, I contacted Dr. Youssefi to see if he could print out one or two of the clamps as a reference. Fortunately, He managed to manufacture them shortly after.

During spring break, I will make a few of the components (ex. the wooden beams) and further improve on my design (ex. a way to connect the guideway supports). I will also have to consider designing parts to substitute the erector parts if I can't obtain them in time.