lloyd Posted July 13, 2016 Posted July 13, 2016 Sir,I am a pyro machine builder by trade. I build automated systems to make military training simulators. That is one NEAT JOB! I'm highly impressed. I would recommend only one thing (to buyers): I suggest they install a dust shield over the top of the controller board (like a lean-to roof), in order to keep powder dust off it. It's both hygroscopic and corrosive, and will eventually compromise the circuitry. Even if the powder fall doesn't directly impinge on the board, air currents will carry some of it over to the PCB. But from what I saw, that was the only thing I'd improve unless/until I had hours' of experience on the machine. Good JOB! When I get paid for this current project with the Army, I SHALL be ordering one! Lloyd 1
lloyd Posted July 13, 2016 Posted July 13, 2016 PS... I'd like to be able to share the link to that vid and also your contact information with others: (I don't have a contact address where folks might contact you) I presume it might be OK with you, but I also must ask the proprietors here if they would accede to do that. LLoyd
OldMarine Posted July 13, 2016 Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) Wow Twignberry! You've sure been busy since your last video post of the machine. That is the equivalent of a space shuttle as compared to an Apollo module. I'll have to have one of course! A flashback to the original: Edited July 13, 2016 by OldMarine
MrB Posted July 15, 2016 Posted July 15, 2016 A flashback to the original: I actually like the original more. The right angle bend makes it possible to add a wrapper for a paper feed, and it's a lot less noisy. It's still VERY impressive, but if i had the two machines side by side and an option on either, i'd buy the first one, everyday, given that they both provide similar fuse. And they both need to live in a closed off cabinet where recovering the BP leftovers is possible. Both can have the winding-drum modified to feed over a longer distance so that the coating can be placed inline, yet still gives enough time to dry before winding it up, but the first version, since it has it's separate "feeding" stage, "should" provide more consistent fuse, and make long distance for coating, drying and winding less of an issue, where the second generation, using the winding drum to pull the fuse through, means your getting a different can of worms if you try and feed it over long distances before winding it up. I'm sure it's nothing that cant be overcome, but it's a easier to make, less flexible solution. Makes for one hell of a neat machine tho, so i see why he did the changes.B!
Twignberry Posted July 17, 2016 Author Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) Just added a new video showing the coating stage along with some burn tests. Its not as elegant as the machine itself but it is both simple and very fast. I usually takes about 5 mins to setup, coat and cleanup. The finished fuse is dry enough in another 5 mins, ready to be spooled. About 100ft of fuse will fit on the spool, so given an afternoon, I think most people would be able to churn out a good amount of fuse. I do my final QC check for any sections with a smaller diameter or uneven threads while spooling and cut those sections. From my 100ft, I probably removed about 2ft. Edited July 17, 2016 by Twignberry
otto Posted July 17, 2016 Posted July 17, 2016 Amazing! Very igneous, er, ingenious, well, both.... I've got literally miles of visco but I still want one of these. Time to set aside some nickles. I think you will be very busy with that printer for a while.
Ignioapathy Posted July 19, 2016 Posted July 19, 2016 Wow! Twignberry you have done an awesome job with this design. Like Otto said it's time to start saving up. Good job.
Twignberry Posted July 25, 2016 Author Posted July 25, 2016 My apologies for the lack of updates of late since the coating video, I've had a series of unfortunate events with the laser cutter and would like to rant... If not interested in non-pyro related talk, stop reading now So first, the cheap laser units do not come with an air assist. These are essential as they blow smoke out of the laser path, keep the focus lens clean and most importantly stop little fire flare ups. This can be as simple (cheap) as a $5 blower fan so it boggles my mind that they aren't inbuilt features. Anyway.. I kept on putting it off designing + installing one, trying to get as much progress done on my visco machine and of course the inevitable happened 2 weeks ago with a small fire that got just big enough to toast my timing belts before I put it out (they control the motion of the machine). Bugger No problem, I got my ruler out to measure the belt and luck be, it was 2mm pitch belt which I already had ordered excess of for another project . Only 1 week to wait So I figured in the meantime, I would work on designing and printing the air assist which is now working beautifully by the way. But as I was trying to wiggle it on, I twisted the lens holder just a bit too much and cracked the specialist Zinc-Selenide lens... F&*K!!! Anyway, another courier ordered ebay item, not a big deal. So today I was excited because my new timing belt finally arrived and tracking indicated the new lens is only 2 days away, woohoo. Go to fit the new belt to the machine but noticed it was jumping a tooth every 20mm or so of travel. Turns out my CHINESE laser cutter does not use the common metric 2mm timing belt used for all 3d printers but instead uses a very difficult to source imperial MXL timing belt with a tooth pitch of .8" (2.03mm) ARGHHHHHH! I don't care if it takes me all day tomorrow chasing suppliers.... I'm on a mission and I'm getting that damn belt locally.
lloyd Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 Yeah, it'll pass, just not over THOSE pulleys! (0.08") <G> LLoyd
Redrocketman Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 Looking good mate. Is ur printer back up n running?
Twignberry Posted July 26, 2016 Author Posted July 26, 2016 Just waiting on the lens . The imperial belt is getting air bagged from Queensland tonight. Wasn't quite "local" but I did get it
Redrocketman Posted July 29, 2016 Posted July 29, 2016 That's the main thing!! Yes, looking forward to seeing a bit of live fuse making action!!! I have miles of black match, burns real consistent with a nice flame front, it's just too unreliable when the weather isn't ok, which is quite a bit down here!!!
Twignberry Posted July 30, 2016 Author Posted July 30, 2016 I'm back up and running!! Belts came in Friday and it turns out I can limp the machine along with the cracked lens while I wait for the new one. First frames are cutting now . Instructions are 90% done, all that's holding up the first deliveries are the control boards from China. Hope they get in soon.... 1
WSM Posted July 31, 2016 Posted July 31, 2016 Wow! I just saw this thread for the first time. I'm interested in getting one to test out (but I'm not in Oz, I'm in the Western US). Please let me know if it's possible to send one here and what it'll take (do you take PayPal?). Thanks. You can PM me if you want to. WSM
memo Posted July 31, 2016 Posted July 31, 2016 WSM that is a pretty cool machine, have been lking it from day one , I am also n line to get one when they are ready to ship. memo
WSM Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) Wow! I just saw this thread for the first time. I'm interested in getting one to test out (but I'm not in Oz, I'm in the Western US).Please let me know if it's possible to send one here and what it'll take (do you take PayPal?). Thanks. You can PM me if you want to. WSM Hah! I just saw what I wrote (I must be funnier when i'm not trying). I really am interested in one though. WSM Edited August 1, 2016 by WSM
WSM Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) WSM that is a pretty cool machine, have been lking it from day one , I am also n line to get one when they are ready to ship.memo Yeah, it's easy to see why. Nice job, Twignberry. WSM Edited August 1, 2016 by WSM
MrB Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 Hah! I just saw what I wrote (I must be funnier when i'm not trying). I really am interested in one though. WSM Quit winding everyone up with your jokes.Cant quite see how you missed the thread tho, did you spool right past it in a hurry? I've said it before, i think it's freaking amazing. I rather like the first design, but i'll take what i can get.B!
WSM Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) Quit winding everyone up with your jokes.Cant quite see how you missed the thread tho, did you spool right past it in a hurry?I've said it before, i think it's freaking amazing. I rather like the first design, but i'll take what i can get.B! Oh Yeah (Doh!). I've seen machines built by others, but this one seems so much more polished and well thought out. I like the compactness of it, too. I can see it as nearly a plug and play type of setup. WSM Edited August 3, 2016 by WSM
Twignberry Posted August 1, 2016 Author Posted August 1, 2016 Thanks for being patient everyone, I'm finalising content now and producing all the assembly drawings and instructions. I've created a new download location for Drawings and other instructions. Most of the content is now complete and I feel there is enough information there for most DIY enthusiasts. https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B1uhWiRwp3dJQ1ZkeTRsUzRhS2c&usp=sharing To Recap Operation Video: Coating/Burn Test Video Thanks for the words WSM, means a lot, you posted vital info on getting my chlorate cell going. And memo, I haven't forgotten you, you're first on the export list. I'm just tentative sending the first units overseas where they will be much more difficult to support 2
tortoise Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 Hi Twignberry I am new to this forum and i would like to know how to order one of your machines? How much and where do i send my money? Do you take Paypal? I am in 33917 Flordia USA.
memo Posted August 1, 2016 Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) tortoise, the machine is not ready to ship out of oz yet, I am waiting myself. btw welcome to the forum. memo Edited August 1, 2016 by memo
Redrocketman Posted August 6, 2016 Posted August 6, 2016 Man, your gunna have to buy a new printer after this run!!
Recommended Posts