Another RC model side project

[crueby]

The 3d printer has been put to some good use, making up the mounts/guides for the limit switches. The shop elves also created a couple of new helpers so they can sub-contract THEIR work... 
These switches are left over from another project several years ago, one set of the switches has the diodes and wire stubs in place, the other doesn't yet, so next I'll be getting out the soldering iron and wire stripper. The diodes face opposite direction, and are hooked across the Normally Closed posts on the microswitches. When the arm from the threaded rod hits one switch, it opens that side, so the power can only go one way across the diode, so it stops the motor from turning any more in that direction, but lets it keep going for the other direction. These will be connected in line to one side of the motor. If hooked up the wrong way, the motor will be able to keep going but not return again!


And when I asked the shop elves and new elf-trainees for a hand with the wiring, this is what I got. Shoulda seen that coming...

For any interested, I found both the hand and gnomes on Prusa's model site. The switch holders I drew up in Fusion.

[Kim]

Very slick little limit switch arrangement, Chris. 

And glad the elves got some help.  They clearly needed it! 

Kim

[ddmckee54]

All I've got to say is that SOMEBODY better re-rack that tool that's been laying on the floor by the anchor chain engine for a couple of days.  There'll be Hell-ta-pay if the Chief sees that.

[crueby]

All I've got to say is that SOMEBODY better re-rack that tool that's been laying on the floor by the anchor chain engine for a couple of days.  There'll be Hell-ta-pay if the Chief sees that.

I'm blaming it on the junior elf apprentice. Thats my story, and I'm sticking to it!!   

Thats the handle for moving the chain drum ratchet band, to engage or disengage each chain drum from turning with the engine. Ought to be in a rack where it belongs!

[cnr6400]

  The switch mounting setup looks great! nicely done. 

I think it might be an idea to put a key lock control on the power to your 3D printer. You got lucky that the shop elves didn't permanently pose the middle finger in that handy assembly tool! 

[bent]

LOL.  Loved the videos, and this project is coming along nicely...though you probably have to air out your office after all those stinkers let loose. 

[Roger B]

Love it 

[crueby]

Thanks guys!  Almost complete...  Just got the limit switches installed and adjusted, all working great.

No new video, it looks the same as the last one, just doesn't bounce off the ends when I go too far on the radio!   

Last mechanical parts to make are to get the bucket trip line figured out and installed, and need to make a battery tray to hold the batteries up above the motors rather than laying out on the table. Then, can design and print the cab sides/roof. Also want to make some sort of carry handles for moving it around, its a little awkward to grip it down under the cab floor and balance it that way.

[cnr6400]

   

[ddmckee54]

"Thats the handle for moving the chain drum ratchet band, to engage or disengage each chain drum from turning with the engine. Ought to be in a rack where it belongs!"

Everything needs to be kept shipshape, can't have it rolling around on the deck when the seas get rough.

[ddmckee54]

Also want to make some sort of carry handles for moving it around, its a little awkward to grip it down under the cab floor and balance it that way.

But the stick and boom look like they'd make such lovely handles... Oh wait, this is a cable shovel isn't it.  They'd fold right up wouldn't they.  Yup, carrying handles, not included by Ruston-Bucyrus as a factory option but definitely needed.

[bent]

"carrying handles, not included by Ruston-Bucyrus as a factory option " 

Terrible oversight on their part.  I await Crueby's engineered drawings to solve the matter.

 

[gunna]

Thanks Chris for the videos. Been away for a couple of days so this is for Marv:

When I was a boy I did not understand solar eclipses so I asked my Dad "Do you know what a solar eclipse is?"
He replied "No, son".

I will go now,
Ian.

[tghs]

those new guys sort of look like goblins thinking that leaving a night light on in the shop might be a good idea to prevent nocturnal happenings

[crueby]

Wow, you guys have been out drinking with the shop elves again, haven't you!   

So, the battery/radio trays have been made from some of that synthetic metal called 'wood'. Nothing fancy, just a couple ply panels and glued on legs, with some edge pieces to keep things from sliding out. The lower shelf is holding the radio reciever plus some ingots of lead to counterbalance the weight of the booms.


Then turned my attention to the final mechanism needed, the bucket door trip line. The approach I am trying out is to have a line running from the back end of the dipper stick

down the length of the dipper stick to the latch on the bucket door

with a loop in the middle to pull on the line to retract the latch and open the door. When the door opens, the long line goes slack so no problems with pulling the trip line too far. In the center, for now, is a simple loop to test things out and see where it needs a fairlead:

More fiddling needed, but the approach looks to be working. The other end of that line will lead back to a servo in the cab to pull on it.