Widgit, if I know you, you will think of an elegant solution and then one day the cradle will be done.
Looking forward to that day!
Cheers,
BW
Hi Everyone!
Its been a long time, and I have NOT forgotten this project! In fact, the Newton's Cradle is sitting on the carpet in my living room! As I walk past it every day, I'm reminded of the problem I had encountered during its build!
I have to admit, much has changed, in my health, as well as my finances! As soon as I was ready to take another stab at it there was a death in the family
For many an evening, I have been studying my CAD drawings. Looking for a way to add a three dimensional adjustment to the top of the swing arms. This would allow me to move the balls & pivots up & down, right & left, and further & closer apart! Achieving this along with the ability to lock them into a final position is very challenging! Especially while trying to use up as many of the existing parts as possible!
After making several new CAD files, I think I've found a way to do it! It will require making 10 small aluminum blocks, with lots of setscrews! The blocks have to be made independently, as it would be impossible to drill & tap the holes located between the blocks! So the blocks will be mounted and pinned to a long outer plate with the same handles as the last top plate. The only problem is the current design only holds the upper bearing block by 8 setscrews. The outer screws will force the outer plates apart, so they must be made from one piece or have runners attached between them!
This is making the whole unit top heavy, and ugly! Neither designs are acceptable! So back to the drawing board!
Widgit
www.widgitmaster.com
It's not what you take away, it's what you are left with that counts!
Widgit, if I know you, you will think of an elegant solution and then one day the cradle will be done.
Looking forward to that day!
Cheers,
BW
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Wow Widget!
I was watching my favorite (local) NFL team (Panthers@#$%^&) play ball today and while I watched them screw up the game I was thinking of unfinished projects (lotz). It dawned on me that we needed a widget update on the cradle. I've never known you to quit a project. Anyway, I guess it was kinda remembering my favorite channels on the zone and this project has my attention!! Sorry about your loss. Chin up and happy holidays (machining!).
Bill
billyjack
Helicopter def. = Bunch of spare parts flying in close formation! USAF 1974 ;>)
Ditto, sorry for your loss. It's so weird, yesterday I searched this thread out to see if there was anything new I hadn't been notified of, and you popped up literally within the hour. Spooky.
Mike Visit my projects blog at: http://mikeeverman.com/
http://www.bell-evermannews.com/ http://www.bell-everman.com
Yea, every now and then the CNCZone bug gets me itching to do something, instead of sitting in front of my computer
Happy Holidays to all of you!
Widgit
You're Welcome!
Eric
Last edited by widgitmaster; 12-15-2010 at 03:39 PM.
Sorry for your loss in the family. Hopefully the new year will bring fresh ideas for your project.
Happy Holidays to all.
Jason
Merry Christmas Wigit, it's been a real pleasure watching your machining demos. All the best to all of you out there in 2011.
CarveOne
CarveOne
http://www.carveonecncwoodcraft.com
It felt like I was reading an epic adventure novel. Only to find that the end of the book is missing :-(
Dear Widgitmaster, is there no conclusion to this saga? Did all live happily ever after?
Did you make your second, larger Newton's Cradle? My daughter wanted to pick a crappy one up at the museum store, and I decided I'd build one for her birthday - something she can hand down to her kids someday. I was learning so much from your journey - I am so sad you never completed it.
I hope all is well in your family and that yo someday do come back and update us on this and other projects!
Thank you!