Fab Lab Seastead

[elspruSubscriber]

Self Replicating Fabrication Laboratory.

In a seastead,

perhaps an Octopod Seastead.

So now we don’t need to “go to the store”,

we just “go to the lab”,

and make whatever it is we want.

Getting raw materials for the lab in bulk is relatively cheap,

can also reduce (by making lifetime design products), reuse (make modular designs), and recycle (parts, materials, etc).

To get those raw materials

we can trade a small portion of the various artistic or useful products

that we’ve made from the last batch of raw materials.

So this is a business model,

it can even support a floating tribe of peoples.

Downloading Hardware Over the Web video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n39RK4inzg

Open Source Fab Lab proposal http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=OS_Fab_Lab_Proposal

I’m thinking the fab lab can actually be unified,

by simply using two robot arms,

with a camera and perhaps microphone.

to counter-act the swaying motions inherrant with sealife,

even a pillar system still moves up and down.

the torso can hook into one of the octapod support beams,

then it could hold the object with one arm (left),

and use tools on the object with it’s other arm (right),

can have a turn table on the (right) side with various tools on it.

Alternatively the fab lab can be in a submarine in a calm waterzone.

we can also use an x,y,z table with attachable tools,

perhaps with clamps to hold the piece it’s working on

though it’s not as versatile or self-reliant as robot arms,

it may be easier to implement.

thought’s anyone?

traquil aware love free

Lowki

[tusavisionSubscriber]

http://blog.reprap.org/

The reprap community seems to be the most likely source for such a thing. I’d like to have a CNC lathe and CNC mill in addition to a couple stick/TIG welders on board, but you can make do with a reprap and a foundry, which is the most likely way to move forward. Without a foundry/steel mill you are dependant on outside logistical support which is never ideal. Laser sintering/microwave induction furnaces would be the most attractive solutions, however feeding them metal particulate/scrap isn’t exactly a free lunch.

It all starts with a RepRap style robot. The problem is not one of technology, but one of ignorance. The components are all there available for cheap on the market waiting for the right person with the education and funding to assemble them in the proper configuration, to document the process, and to optimize it for the laymen.

A CNC mill, RepRap, Robotic Arm, Plasma table, CNC router, Torch table, Laser cutter can all share the same modular components! The Servos/Steppers/closed loop positioning control system is 2/3 of the battle with the iron structure being a matter of how much compromise are you willing to afford?

Please tell me why some machine shops have a seperate CNC router, plasma table, laser cutter, and torch table? It’s the same damn machine with different heads!

It’s possible that the down time of conversion isn’t cost effective for the savings, however in many cases the answer is no more complicated than the option to do so isn’t commercially available.

[tusavisionSubscriber]

I actually read your post this time:

I like your double robotic arm idea, however may I suggest a 4 robotic arm system? 3 robot arms can work together like a stewart platform for rigidity while the 4th functions as the HSM spindle.(dremel?)

The 4th arm can swap heads using it’s taper spindle and lazy susan Automatic tool changer to a chucking head, and grab on to the part so that a different arm can begin machining the part from a different side. Similar to how some CNC lathes have 2 spindles.

[elspruSubscriber]

tusavision wrote:

I actually read your post this time:

I like your double robotic arm idea, however may I suggest a 4 robotic arm system? 3 robot arms can work together like a stewart platform for rigidity while the 4th functions as the HSM spindle.(dremel?)

the wrist of the robot is an AC electric motor,

it can spin.

The 4th arm can swap heads using it’s taper spindle and lazy susan Automatic tool changer to a chucking head, and grab on to the part so that a different arm can begin machining the part from a different side. Similar to how some CNC lathes have 2 spindles.

That seems quite complicated.

A goal here (of mine) is to make it into a usable host body later on,

probably of the hominid persuasion.

So it will incrementally become more hominid like,

while adding functionality,

for instance could have a vacuum insulated furnace digestive system (digesting rocks into base components).

here’s a bit I wrote about the robot tools and such

cutting tool(s) (different blades, or chain saws, or lazers)
grinding tool(s) (smooth or rough rocks)
drilling tool(s) (drill bits, power drills of varying torque or precision can be different robot wrists)

robot wrist can be high precision motor embedded in high torque motor, the high precision holder can lock onto hand holder for high torque applications.

painting tools(s) (ink jet(s) hose’s with spray nozzles, paint brush)
joining tool(s) (glue, solder, braze, weld)

robot arm for using main tools,
and second robot arm for holding or turning items.

tools can be on robot arm turnable table on side.

camera(s) for computer to see it’s work,
maybe audio as well,
to verify system health,
acoustically identifying or verifying progress through process.
and aids in sensing unseen processes.

Also two robot arms is less than 4 arms.

Indeed one arm is the least.

but there still needs to be something to hold the item,

nature has solved this problem by specializing in having a right and left arm.

I know for instance my left arm’s grip can be very firm,

as frequently I hold things I’m working on with my left hand,

while my right hand uses a tool to do something to the object.

Admitedly the muscles of my arm frequently aren’t enough to hold the object stationary,

so I might set the object on some strong stationary surface, such as the floor.

tranquil aware desire choice love express intuit channel

Elspru

[FreedomFighterSubscriber]

I like the drawing Elspru. Except I’m finding that the Octopods fit together better at the 45⁰ facets. This creates a square pocket between 6 pods and helps with the bouyancy of an assembled structure.

The robotic system you are describing is one that I am developing at the manufacturing plant I work at. We make aluminum castings and manually do about everything from tool and die to packaging. I intend to automate the entire shop one system at a time.

I have not heard of RepRap before, thanks for the tip.

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