To servo or not to servo - that is the question. 12/14 update

Well, I didn't expect to publish an update on the project so soon, but it would be funny if it weren't a setback.

For my projects I use a 25 year old CAD and FEA software that runs fine on Windows XT but won't run at all in the newer operating systems. Naturally, I still have my 25 year old Toshiba in which I run nothing but the CAD and FEA software.

Or perhaps I should say "in which I used to run the CAD and FEA software".

I believe Mr. Shakespeare might have been offended by the condescending remarks in my last blog, and cursed the project from the grave: Not only has the old Toshiba decided to terminate its relationship with the DVD drive, the 3D printer has also decided to part ways with the build plate liner.

As a result the R&D department is out of business until I learn either how to fix the Toshiba or how to use a different 3D CAD software; and the production department is running at 50% capacity, with 1 out of 2 3D printers down, until the new glass plate arrives and I confirm that it can withstand the 110 degrees C required to print ABS plastic.

Meanwhile, other developments prompted me to change the design parameters:

While working on the design I heard my wife in the kitchen expressing her bitter hatred for one particular culinary activity. I was banned from the kitchen when she realized I'm not good enough to boil a decent toast without burning the water, so I couldn't do it for her.

That means I will need to finish the shade driver soon so I can start working on the automation of that dreadful kitchen task. I find myself forced, therefore, to forfeit the joy of combining engineering, manufacturing and experimental physics to develop an inertia actuated clutch and instead settle for a servo actuated mechanism for the shade.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Shakespeare! But I will print and test the fixture to find angular acceleration, so put that in your pipe and smoke it!

This and previous blogs are in my web site mtrdesigns-usa.com. Please do feel free to add your comments, suggestions or ask questions.

See you soon!