Anyways we are supposed to record our hours and what we did during that time as well as our thoughts etc, and my project has been getting messy when it comes to recording and things are recorded in dozens of different places and I am afraid I might begin losing some of these recordings, so I have decided that I would blog the remainder of my process, including any hours and work done on my project/skis as I go.
March 2 2010:
2PM-3PM
60MIN
I had planned on visiting the engineering teacher to see if I could use the CAD software to design the press. I took intro to engineering my freshman year so I am very familiar with the software our school has. Unfortunately, we have a new engineering teacher and I do not know who he is. I tried to find him between classes (so I wouldn't disturb his class), but was unsuccessful. I spent most of my study hall in the library researching more about the press and searching for free CAD software I could download at home (because i couldn't find a free software on the site listed by ski builders).
7PM-11PM
240MIN
I spent further time trying to find free CAD software. It is really difficult to find one that isn't a trial or one style of CAD (hoped for 2D and 3D). I recalled having a design program from Google on my old computer. After a little searching I found SketchUp. Generally it is used for designing buildings and furniture, but I figured I could use it to my advantage. After a lot of time trying to figure out this program (it took forever to figure out how to change the length of the lines!) I finally understood it enough to design the running length portion of the mold. By the way, I am using a simple clamp press due to the difficulties I ran into trying to build the other presses. Anywho.. I was going to print sections of the design off but SkethUp isn't made for printing "to size" designs, but smaller scale designs. Ahh fun. Well plan B, measure it out myself and do my best to make the line between what I will call End 1, Middle(Camber Area), and End 2 arc. Ate dinner as I worked which slowed the process. Had trouble finding a lot of things to work with, for example a drafting triangle was mixed with a lot of random stuff on my porch and I needed tape to hold my measuring tape.I taped the measuring tape at End 1 and Middle of the MDF board and gently pulled the tape so it was slightly rounded, the start of the arc. I repeated this for the other half. Had just enough tape, need to remember to pick up more for later (I'm sure I will need it). Generally, the arc looks fine. Almost exactly like, if not the same as, the piece made on SketchUp. When I cut out this first piece, I will use it as a template for the rest of the boards. I still need to design the end pieces (for the tip and tail curvatures), but I was having a difficult time figuring this out, so maybe I will get that done tomorrow. I will cut out the first piece if I have time tomorrow, but I have a four page Spanish paper to write so it is questionable. I started up this blog as well. I am surprised with how long this first post is, I realize I can really talk a lot about what I do with this project even if I do very little.
As a reminder to myself, the SketchUp piece is saved as Ski Mold.
Work Room/Skis I am basing the flex, size, etc off of.
Drawing out the Running Length outline
Goodnight Everyone!
Edit: I could not post this the other day due to not being a member for 1 Day so I had to post this today instead. Then I realized, I just couldn't post my pictures. Ill get them up a bit later.
Edit2: Pictures are up now
I decided that would be my time to call it a break, for now. I am set on getting at least the running length ribs cut out by the end of today and getting at least one tip/tail rib cut and then traced onto the remaining MDF board. Tonight I will also make sure to get all of those pictures up that I have been meaning to put up in the last few posts. Tomorrow all of the mold pieces should be cut out and I will get the remaining materials for the mold, which all I really need is some Masonite board. I should also consider cleaning the work room tomorrow, which is full of dust and messy. Until later tonight!
It took some time to actually find the allen wrench I was using (it fell behind the desk), but once I found it I managed to replace the blade (again...) and got back to work. All of the pieces are now cut out.
