Let’s first see if the Internet-bought Heidenhain digital readout kit for my lathe works.
Fortunately, it looks very promising.

Mounting the first glass ruler
On an old lathe there is usually no space for the Heidenhain digital rulers . So being creative with your space during the conversion is  important. Mout the glass rulers as close as possible to the lathe. This saves a lot of work, and will benefit accuracy.

The first axis is fully assembled, and works well. The measured values ​​are consistently lucky. So everything is working fine.

As the second glass ruler is not connected there is an error on the screen …

The protective cover mounted … and the first axis is ready.

Mounting the second glass ruler
The assembly of the second glass ruler is more difficult. There are not enough mount points available. I will therefore have to drill in the lathe.

I have some experience in adapting metalworking machinery. And I now know that old German steel is a lot harder – and better – than that Chinese junk they sell nowadays.  But I have made ​​it!

And then it’s quickly on the cover ….

And then  attaching the Heidenhain digital readout linear scales to my old lathe is finely ready!

It is truly a man with feet …..

This section will eventually be partly lost in the cooling fins of the artwork.

I am definitely not disappointed with inaccuracy of about 0.02 mm, on my home made machine.
A precision of about 0.05 mm is considered a acceptable average backlash.

To make technical and kinetic art, accuracy and repeatability are a requirement.
So after two days  of cleaning and tuning I am very contented, and the work can (finally) resume …….

until the next problem, hopefully not too soon ….

Accuracy and DIY self-made CNC milling machines.

New parts for the kinetic sculpture: Face

Small gears and shafts for the mechanical actuators (fifteen pieces)
Attaching the steel shafts is done by a cotter pin.
In the gears, I have milled a 3mm wide slot, to fit the pin.
The fifteen mechanical actuators are finally almost complete and ready.
So that they can be mounted on the frame.

Finally delicious vegetables from our own greenhouse! Completely organic and environmentally sound!

Built atop an old oil tank, which is made from rust and asbestos ….

We now grow: Tomatoes, Sweet peppers, chillies, beans (two species) and strawberries

I can hardly wait,  my own urban farm…

baileybots-greenhouse-garden

http://www.arttakeslondon.com/Baileybots

Art Takes London competition awarding $10,000 cash and a show at SCOPE Art London.

VUA a vise-3 Vertex, for a nice price … Used…
An instrument that has long been on the cnc wish list.
But they are so expensive!
it’s lovely, nice box to….

Let me know what you think!

And stay informed about my work