Member postings for Ches Green UK

Jason,

I see you use a version of Alibre. The results always look very good. And it's great to see the old Stuart models being 'reborn'.

One day I'd like to acquire some CAD/CAM s/w, objective being to eventually use it on a (also to be acquired) 3D printer. Do 3D printers require G code or does (whatever version of ) Alibre come with everything one would need?

Thanks,

Ches.

PS: Sorry if this is slightly off topic.

The Threshing Machine pic is my favourite. As the caption said, I also hope someone has restored it.

It was a wonderfully complex piece of machinery for it's day and required careful maintenance, either by the farm staff or a local expert.

No need to call out a technician with a laptop to reboot it's software .

Ches

Edited By Ches Green UK on 26/03/2023 14:33:23

Edited By Ches Green UK on 26/03/2023 14:33:47

The Report's Conclusion states ...

Multiple failures of cylinder base studs on the RR O-240 engine type have been recorded since 2014, but unless they resulted in engine failure in flight, they were not reported to the manufacturer.

Wow.

So were they at least reported to the Light Aircraft Association?

Ches.

Edited By Ches Green UK on 19/03/2023 19:19:28

The good news is that no humans were hurt in the move. Nail biting stuff nonetheless.

'Big lathe move to basement, a rookies journey' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiyKUKgDaAk

They obviously had it well planned out. Not sure about supending the lathe by the chuck though? And it would have been lighter with some parts removed.

But they did prove it could be done. I do wonder how easy it will be to get it out though

Ches

Edit: I see in the Comments below the video (4 years later) he is looking to sell the house, complete with lathe in basement.

Edited By Ches Green UK on 11/03/2023 14:29:10

Sam,

That was very interesting. I haven't seen such a well presented video of the Normal -v- IR view before .... quite enlightening

Looks like the IR is available for our friends at AliExpress (assuming this isn't a copy?) for about £280, which seems to be about the going rate for these things these days.

TOPDON TC004 Infrared Thermal Imager -
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005167477439.html?pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%21%EF%BF%A1402.04%21%EF%BF%A1277.41%21%21%21%21%21%402101d1af16781800743016612ee49d%2112000031946460525%21btf&_t=pvid:a924bf0d-9654-4e85-aa04-0b39f4a70c09&afTraceInfo=1005005167477439__pc__pcBridgePPC__xxxxxx__1678180074&spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product.mainProduct

The TC004 is a handheld thermal camera that measures a wide range of temperatures, from -20°C to 350°C (-4°F to +662°F), and offers a 12-hour runtime. The high-resolution 256*192 pixel infrared camera allows you to say goodbye to blurry images. The tool is ready for analysis with the standalone and the PC modes, enabling users to project and upload images from the TC to their PC.

Ches

found videos by Optical Mechanic which should keep me viewing for a while

Me too, thanks ..... https://www.youtube.com/@opticalmechanic/videos

Lots of interesting design knickknacks on show and a well equiped workshop.

Ches.

Leon,

I've build a Stuart Beam with Governor.

It runs fine at low air pressure eg 5 psi.

Slow is good since it lets you watch all the parts moving as a coordinated system - very relaxing.

My Governor doesn't spin round very fast - it looks 'normal' - it's driven by the slow rotating crankshaft.

Ches

PS: Good luck with the tap. If it won't come out, just disguise it's presence.

Edited By Ches Green UK on 29/01/2023 22:52:25

Edited By Ches Green UK on 29/01/2023 22:56:35

EV battery range appears to be doubling every 6 yrs or so.... https://evadoption.com/us-bev-battery-range-increases-an-average-17-per-year-and-38-miles-each-model-update/

Once 1,000 miles EV range is achieved, and assuming ICE cars still have a range of 500 miles on average, then comparatively half the number of public refuelling (charging) points will be required.

Granted, 1,000 mile range could still be 24 years away, but that might coincide with the last remaining ICE car being scrapped. I anticipate 1,000 mile range to happen quite a bit sooner though.

There is still the issue of home charging, but give it time. Humans are good at solving problems.

Ches.

PS: Is induction charging whist waiting at traffic lights a goer?

10 Jan 2023 - Microsoft about to buy 49% of OpenAI (+ChatGPT) .... https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/10/microsoft-to-invest-10-billion-in-chatgpt-creator-openai-report-says.html

Microsoft will reportedly get a 75% share of OpenAI’s profits until it makes back the money on its investment, after which the company would assume a 49% stake in OpenAI.

As usual, with anything MS tends to interfere with, this will probably not end up well for anyone. Seems they have plans to incorporate it in to Word, Excel etc and whatever else.

Ches

Virgin Orbit - It's a bit sad that it failed. Hopefully they find the cause(s). The UK needs success in this field.

VO had one failed test launch then four successful test launches before carrying satellites, but it seems all the bugs are not yet ironed out.

"Mr Archer could not confirm whether the rocket had fallen back to Earth but said that if it did, it would have come down over unpopulated areas." Hmm...that's a bit worrying.

SpaceX had 4 or 5 glorious failures before they got the hang of it.

Now it is just like shelling peas to them - they successfully launched 3 rockets in 36 hrs the other day, with boosters returning to ground.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_o5332Kvto

Ches

I have learned that model engineering (and other hobbies) require, as has been mentioned, puzzles and problems to be solved and new skills to be learned.

And the more I learn the more I realise I don't know... being stuck on the first rung of the ladder isn't such a bad place to be

Overall, indulging in hobbies leads to the mind fully concentrating on the task at hand causing the outside world to fade into the distance...it is very refreshing.

Ches

a uni student in the States to write some code which can accurately detect when GPT has been used to write something,

Yes, I saw that. But the ChatGPT has only been alive for a few weeks. I wonder how refined it will become in the next 12 months...especially if they give it it's own unlimited internet connection?

Just imagine how convincing Spam phone calls and email phishing will become?

Where's Arnie when you need him

Ches

It's early days yet, but I have a feeling this might not be good news for a lot of professions. On the other hand lawyers, say, could use it to prepare the reams of paperwork required for a court case.

Apparently, if asked, it can instantly write Arduino and Python code if given an objective.

Elon has constantly said that AI is potentially the biggest threat to humanity. He has been involved in the Open AI company that is currently 'containing' ChatGPT.

Ah well, 2023 could be interesting :-#

Ches.

ChatGPT was released to the public a few weeks ago...it is not yet (allegedly) connected to the WWW.

It can answer questions, write code, write thesis, do graphic art etc.

I don't have a software or hardware background so Dave Jones explains it better...

'ChatGPT & AI Has Changed EVERYTHING' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHyyXSEXfus

Ches

PS: Wiki summary ... ChatGPT - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChatGPT

Oldiron,

Thanks. It sounds a very valuable and necessary practice. And there is even a quarantine period - impressive, so well done Australia.

Ches

Slightly off topic regarding the quality of audiobooks, more to do about the content of the book mentioned, Entangled Life.

Here's a recent example of what the little devils get up to... 'Cruise ship barred from docking in Australia due to fungal growth on hull' - https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/australia-cruise-ship-fungus-intl-hnk/index.html

'The DAFF National Maritime Coordination Center was notified of "small amounts of biofoul" on the hull of the Viking Orion on December 28, DAFF said, adding that biofoul is a common accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on vessel hulls.
According to DAFF, the management of such biofoul is common practice for all incoming international vessels.'

I wonder how the growth is spotted - are there sensors/cameras onboard, or do divers inspect the hull before she gets too close?

Ches

I downloaded it from Apple Books

Thank you. I do have Apple devices but my desktop (where I'd do most of the listening) is Windows. But never say no...

Ches

Michael,

Can I ask where you downloaded the Audio book from? Amazon can supply it as a download but it seems to only be available at "£0.00 'Free' with Audible trial". I'm not keen to sign up for another subscription service.

Failing that I can always download it as a Kindle book - it does look very interesting and it's a subject I know little about, apart from what David Attenborough has told me.

I did listen to a few audio books decades ago when the convenient Compact Cassette arrived in cars. As you note, the reader's talking style can make or break the experience.

Ches.

Steve, Hopper, Neil,

He is the Fitting and Turning instructor at our local tech college...

I wasn't aware of his background. He seems to take a very methodical approach to his work...those apprentices will be well served. How does he find the time to do 'two' jobs?

... got some video training as part of his teaching qualification...

That would get him off to a good start. Like most things, filming and editing basics are fairly easy to get a grip of, but to do it well is an order of magnitude higher. Editing is a very underated task but it can take a lot longer than the actual filming. IIRC, there was no Hollywood Oscar for 'editing' for many years untill the Committee saw the light.

...hand graver rest...

That looked very neat, and flexible. Eccentric Engineering do something similar but a bit more elaborate.

... the lapping plate fixture.

Yes, that caught my eye also. I imagine he has shelves of specialist tools he has developed over the years which can quickly solve outlier tasks.

Regards,

Ches

Edit: I also noticed he uses a small vacuum for clearing swarf. I use a Dyson fitted with the short nozzle for periodically sucking up the bulk of the swarf. In pecking order - small photographer's blower bulb, 1" paint brush, Dyson, Pan and Brush. In a workshop (where time is money, and the machinery is usually bigger) a compressed air line is much quicker and possibly safer.....it does spread the swarf, but the end-of-job clean-up gathers all that.

Edited By Ches Green UK on 31/12/2022 10:35:24

Edited By Ches Green UK on 31/12/2022 10:36:56

Rob,

'therapeutic' is a good word to describe it

The more I see of the Sherline lathes the more I wish they were available (at USA prices) in the UK. I know they aren't for heavy duty machining but they seem so adaptable yet compact.

Anyway, looking forward to Pt 2.

Ches