Sequel to Beam Engine Article - How Machines Learned Precision

[glinscott]

Hi,

This article is a follow-up to my previous on Beam Engines.  Reading about Watt's struggles to get an accurate bore led me down a very fun rabbit hole on the history of precision in machine tools.

Article: https://glinscott.github.io/how-machines-learned-precision/



I'd again be grateful for any corrections or suggestions about parts that aren't clear.

Thanks!
Gary

[PaulR]

What a brilliant article and so well illustrated - thanks!

[Sanjay F]

I agree, I enjoyed the last one and will take my time reading this and passing the link onto interested mates, than you!!

[glinscott]

What a brilliant article and so well illustrated - thanks!

Thank you .  It's so much fun digging into these areas!

[glinscott]

I agree, I enjoyed the last one and will take my time reading this and passing the link onto interested mates, than you!!

Awesome, thanks .

[crueby]

Fantastic article, great animations make things really clear. Years ago I  read about similar  machines used to mark out scales on sextants and octants for nav8gation use. Thanks for posting this!

[Roger B]

Thank you for putting that together     

I remember reading LTC Rolt's 'Tools for the Job' many years ago that covered some similar themes.

[PJPickard]

This is outstanding work! The animations are great. Many times I have tried to explain the 3 plate method to students and your animation would be excellent to show them. You "get it" immediately! Thanks for posting

[glinscott]

Thank you for putting that together     

I remember reading LTC Rolt's 'Tools for the Job' many years ago that covered some similar themes.

Yes, that's a great book!  I should add it to the references.

[glinscott]

Fantastic article, great animations make things really clear. Years ago I  read about similar  machines used to mark out scales on sextants and octants for nav8gation use. Thanks for posting this!

Thanks!  Yes, some really ingenious mechanisms to get precision from things much less precise.

[glinscott]

This is outstanding work! The animations are great. Many times I have tried to explain the 3 plate method to students and your animation would be excellent to show them. You "get it" immediately! Thanks for posting

Appreciate it, thanks!  Yes, the 3 plate animations took a fair bit of iteration .