OpenKollab

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• Digest for openkollab@googlegroups.com – 3 Messages in 2 Topics [2 Updates]

Data Pathway <data.pathway@gmail.com> May 26 08:11AM -0500 ^


 
Guess I have to jump in with this: http://www.cubespawn.com – I have been
working exclusively on getting the first machine running, rather than
updating the website, so its getting out of date – I'll re-sync it once the
machine is through being tested…
 
This is my approach to seizing the means of production on an individual
scale, its a modular, Flexible Manufacturing System. The
underlying premise is: a system of machine enclosures that scale up (or
down) in 30 cm increments (this is very close to one foot) the prototype is
a 600mm frame, with a pallet mover in the base, data and electrical
connections on the mating faces and a fairly small working envelope for a
light duty, 3 axis CNC milling machine (if your unfamiliar, think: Precision
Router table) that bolt together to act like "manufacturing Lego blocks" as
someone said a while back.
 
Now its VERY light duty – but should be just capable of cutting on aluminum
parts…
 
…For a heavier duty Mill built into the same envelope that will be capable
of making parts for additional machines – in a progression that leads to a
spectrum of hand tools and or small machines both for the systems expansion,
and for completely unrelated applications, such as a hand operated water
pump, or wind turbine parts, or hedge clippers or whatever…
 
Its a way of starting small, and populating your environment with useful
artifacts – at the cost of the materials and electricity required, rather
than at whatever cost some third party demands – its also a way of
exchanging designs for common things Free of the fetters of IP and its
abuses – the design is open source and its hoped that if and when the
project acquires more momentum others will begin to contribute designs to
the mix, in this way every participant can build on the wealth of
contributions already in place so there is a progression toward
an extremely rich selection eventually…
 
Its first assignment is to build its own custom parts.
 
This is a large, slow, lifetime project, but I'm certain something of this
sort will eventually be adopted if we in fact decide to de-centralize
production and incorporate "inherent recyclability" into the stream of
tools, garments, machines and products we use and re-use.
 
I was inspired to begin this by the RepRap Project – whose slogan is:
"Wealth without money" which I find to be a laudable, and achievable goal.
 
James
 
 
 
On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 2:14 AM,
<openkollab+noreply@googlegroups.com<openkollab%2Bnoreply@googlegroups.com>

 

John Griessen <john@industromatic.com> May 26 11:13AM -0500 ^


 
Data Pathway wrote:
> wealth of contributions already in place so there is a progression
> toward an extremely rich selection eventually…
 
> Its first assignment is to build its own custom parts.
 
Nice description James. When you start working on the web site, ask and I'll
help proof and review.
 
john