What did you do today (2015)

The quad-core element is great *if* the sw you run on it is configured for multiple cores. As it now has 4 USB ports instead of 2, that'll at least mean that WiFi, kbd & mouse can all be connected directly without needing a powered hub.

Mine I plan to use as a host for an SLA printer, so it'll be driving both the projector and the Z axis - I may need to help with some coding for the project too, depending on what state it's in by the time I get the printer.

I wonder if Mach 4 is planned to be supported on Windows 10?

Jupiter is really easy to spot right now, about three finger-widths left of the moon, very bright. Bins will show you three moons, I guess one's behind the planet right now.

Took some photos and had a go with the scope, but close up Jupiter looked like a squirming amoeba, probably my fault for pointing the scope out an open window instead of going out in the cold!

Neil.

Any where in this pic of the moon last night

Bob

Hi Peter (Bond),
There was this link to a Youtube comparison between the model B+ and the version 2 on the Raspberry Pi forum. It does appear to show an improvment of speed. I ordered one last night that was claimed to be in stock (And at least another 2 showed in stock after ordering.) I received an email this evening saying they did not have any and they need to re order.

Les.

Les, CPC claim to have Rpi 2 in stock.

Bob, assuming the over-exposed moon is greatly exaggerated in size, the dot would be in the right place.

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 03/02/2015 20:31:00

I have bought quite a few things from this place although there are several other stockists in the UK as well as Farnell/CPC and RS. They stock cases, breakout boards, accessories etc as well as the RPis themselves.

Although they appear to have stock of the 2 currently, they are saying that orders are delayed 1-2 days due to "extreme demand". I notice that the RPi website went down today too, presumably due to overload. Seems to be back up again now.

Murray

Hi Neil,
RS claimed they were in stock last night and their price was slightly lower than CPC. I'm not impressed with their stock control system.

Les.

Hi Murray,
I would normally buy from CPC or Farnell but RS claimed they were in stock and thy were cheaper. (£22.85 + £4.57 VAT = £27.42) I have not dealt with the company you link to. I noticed this morning that I could not dowload the latest software image from the RPi website but managed to do so this afternoon. I was expecting that there would be a different version to make better use of the quad core CPU.

Les.

i made the front axlebox oil boxes for my 5"g terrier Stepney

cheers,

julian

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Probably be Windows 25 before it sees a working light of day

If you look at machinekit.io, you'll find a development fork of LinuxCNC for the Arm-based Beaglebone. The original Pi was too slow to do much development on it, maybe the latest will be ok?

Anyway, lots of people around the world are running this top-notch CNC controller on Arm based boards, so you may want to check this project out.

Another (unabashed LinuxCNC-fan) John.

Les, Linux has supported multi core processors for many years (almost 20), so there's no need for any significant change. Assuming that the Broadcom device functions are already supported / implemented already, I doubt there's anything extra required to make the most of the new model.

The main impediment to implementing a full-blown CNC controller will be the requirement for additional, fast I/O. I'm sure / hope it won't be long before someone makes it available...

Murray

Julian - good to see the progress on your Terrier. I have set of casting that were purchased 45 years ago when I lived in the UK - perhaps like wine they improve with keeping! I must get motivated to complete the loco but keep getting side tracked with IC engines and model tractors. I have seen the full size locomotives on the Isle of Wight, York and the Bluebelle railways and think they are a great little loco. I did see a 71/4" version at the Wilton M E show a few years ago and it looked very good. Keep up the good work and I will be keeping an eye on your progress. Cheers for now, George (Fourstroke Fred)

I have been making parts for my 6" Ruston & Proctor traction engine and today assembled the main components for the boiler. The barrel just fitted on my milling machine, allowing me to machine holes for the manhole and water/steam fittings. After many hours of measuring and machining (and finger crossing) the parts fitted together. A great feeling !

Still some weld preparation to be done to some of the plates before having it welded. Many of the plate edges have a "J"-weld profile. The boiler assembly is held in place by temporary tabs which are tack welded to the boiler plates and barrel. These tabs are bolted together to allow me to remove the plates for final machining. They will be removed after it is fully welded.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 04/02/2015 08:37:41

Interesting video showing use of Solidworks > Sprutcam > Tormach CNC mill to make a small bracket.

Good example of why CNC isn't just for "mass production", whatever that means in our context. Could be done manually but would involve a lot more setting up and handle twiddling. He could have been a fair bit more aggressive with speeds and feeds but as he says, he likes to play safe.

Murray

Paul - nice work. Are the walls of the firebox usually as heavy as this - is it to scale? Looks like steel plate rather than sheet, so shouldn't be a problem getting nice welds or passing the pressure test surely!

Don't drop it on your toes!

Murray

Yes looks like you are getting on well with the boiler, nice to be able to do all the prep yourself. Hope you have not got to get the completed boiler back onto that mill to skim the ends of the stays!

Murray the problem with steel boilers on models is the allowance for wasting (rust) is the same for a 2" model as it is for a full size so the plates can be a bit thick

Thanks a bunch for that link.

Then looked at the ones on the side and thats another 4 hours gone out of my life...............sigh.

Hi Murray,

The engine is a 6" scale (half size) of a 3 1/2hp Ruston and Proctor traction engine which is only a small engine to start with. Originally designed for one man operation. Drawings and castings were supplied by Live Steam Models but I have re-designed it to suit the Australian code and for available material sizes.

The boiler barrel was originally 10" ID and our code requires a minimum wall thickness of 6mm. I chose to use seamless pressure pipe which has an OD of 273mm and a wall thickness of 9.27mm. Therefore everything is a bit bigger than shown on the supplied drawings. Aust. code for firebox plates are 10mm. Tubeplates are 16mm (minimum 12mm). Don't worry about my toes. Always wear steel cap boots around the workshop.

Will have to use a bigger mill to skim the side stays. Fortunately I know someone. The one below should be big enough. (Shown machining the steam chest)

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 04/02/2015 11:55:43