New technology in Model Engineers Workshop

New technology in Model Engineers Workshop

Hi all.
Having purchased all but the first few MEW’s over the years; I have enjoyed the editorial, projects and “Scribe a line” I feel the need to contribute my observations.

If the magazine is to satisfy the needs of both the Publisher and the readers it must cater for a wide audience for the publisher to succeed ; from beginners to advanced metal working experts. This should also attract a wide range of advertisers.

It must also balance the reader’s needs.

Beginner’s projects: simple articles on tools and the use of machines.

Advanced articles: There is clearly a need for that cover a specialisation such as the recent articles on gear cutting, Tool and cutter grinders, and CAD among many others.

New technology:

A little history…
I was fortunate enough to find a bound set of “The Model engineer and Practical Electrician” magazines dating back to 1930 (Volume 62 up) so it goes back a lot further than 1930. A great asset… What an extraordinary time…. The sheer complexity of the models; the articles on making your own motors, generators, batteries and just about everything else; a good background to crystallize my thoughts

In 1930 Electricity was still not widely available to households. You would have to say the electrical articles at that time were certainly new technology.

But what of new technology now?

CNC 2 axis to at least 5 axes; closely intertwined with CAD.
OK this is for the computer buffs (I am one)

Carbon fibre and fibre glass composite materials. These days if you hop on a plane or sit in your car a lot of it is composite materials. Again it is easy to make the moulds needed at home.

Epoxy Concrete (Now often referred to as “Mineral casting” Search “Epoxy bearing material” and “Epoxy concrete CNC” at this site. Of note the German Machine tool maker HERMLE Easily found on Google. Almost every machine they make has an epoxy concrete frame.  The number of machine makers doing this would now number near 100. They use it for High damping and stability. To make machines that work down to .00000x inches. Extraordinary accuracy
This is a process that can be done in home workshops; it is just an alternative way of moulding, in place of cast Iron. Yes it has different properties you just have to think differently.

Electronics.
We should not forget the Electronics whizz, Although many of us can use a soldering Iron and follow instructions if we have lesser knowledge. 

In 1930 the experimenters of the day were abuzz with new technology. For the magazine to prosper it must accept generational change; the readership certainly will change over time.

I guess many of the readers are baby boomers…I am an early one. If you embrace new technology and study up suddenly new doors will open. I put the following at the beginning of a recent PowerPoint I wrote, I hope it conveys a little of the spirit that pervades every true Metal working Artist.

This is the beginning of a journey, a journey without a known end. Not knowing the exact destination makes the trip exciting.  We are seeking an ideal that in reality can never be reached.  If we persevere we will however come close. Persistence is omnipotent.  This document is written to those that like to travel unknown paths. If you have never undertaken such a trip I encourage you to do so, your spirit will be uplifted.

MEW needs to think positively of the future of Engineering and Model Engineering Although I would prefer simply say we are all Engineers.  

Cheers

John McNamara

Edited By John McNamara on 20/05/2011 07:52:43

Edited By EtheAv8r on 20/05/2011 09:16:00

Edited By Stephen Benson on 20/05/2011 11:39:33

I do hope I'm not in that list. I am still learning the basics hence my pleasure in the manual methods and I'm afraid CNC is just out of my budget league. The Law of cold hard reality of accessible cash determines that one I'm afraid!

Edited By John Stevenson on 20/05/2011 17:16:07