tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61478310556762632942024-02-08T04:17:09.800-08:00Urban ShedElliot's attempts at technical tinkering - all without the assistance of a shed, workshop, or other geek retreat.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-42984475958570708142008-08-08T06:29:00.000-07:002008-08-08T06:46:20.861-07:00Brake downIn planning my robot army it became clear that I'd benefit from some kind of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_and_pan_brake">box-pan brake</a> to manufacture the aluminium components that will make said robots invincible. I've had a good look around for a supplier in the UK and until recently found only <a href=" http://www.mutr.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=56_58&products_id=393">small</a> standard sheet metal bending brakes or bone crushing behemoth CNC <a href="http://www.coburg-machine-tools.co.uk/images/new_downstroke.jpg">monsters</a>. A box-pan brake is more useful than a standard sheet metal bending brake as it has a number of configurable 'fingers' that allow the bending of more intricate 'box' and 'pan' like shapes that a regular brake cannot.<br /><br />Searching for brakes is not actually easy. First you have to make sure that you're talking about a brake - not a break. Then you have to understand that they're also called 'hand brakes' - which leads to lots of car related Google results. Until recently I kept coming across the more common '<a href="http://www.rondean.co.uk/sheetmetal/photos/edwards50x16gbpfolder.htm">regular scale</a>' brakes that deal with large pieces of sheet metal - metres in length. These are just too big (and too expensive). However, I finally came across this a <a href="http://www.chesteruk.net/store/box_and_pan_folders.htm">little unit</a> from a UK engineering firm when browsing on eBay. While I don't currently have the space or funds for such a thing - it's good to know that there's a tool for the job out there.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-5240035345034367602008-08-07T00:54:00.000-07:002008-08-07T00:59:51.845-07:00NAO humanoid robot - IEEE publicationQuick note of congratulations to my friend Chris Kilner at <a href="http://www.aldebaran-robotics.com/eng/index.php">Aldebaran Robotics</a> who has recently appeared as a co-author on a <a href=" http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0807/0807.3223v1.pdf">paper published</a> by the <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=8860">IEEE transactions on Robotics</a>. The paper describes the Aldebaran humanoid NAO robot that will compete in <a href="http://www.robocup.org/">RoboCup</a> events. Hopefully I'll get to see one in 2009 at <a href=" http://www.robocup2009.org/">Graz</a> (Ryanair does cheap flights and Emma wants to go walking in the mountains). Prior to working with Aldebaran, Chris did some pretty cool .Net <a href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_localization_and_mapping">SLAM</a> experiments as documented on <a href="http://dotnetrobot.blogspot.com/">his blog</a>...Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-54313491594826244042008-08-06T23:42:00.000-07:002008-08-07T00:23:12.496-07:00LumenLabs CNCI was really interested to see the CNC based projects underway at <a href="http://www.lumenlab.com/">LumenLabs</a>. Traditionally LumenLabs supplied <a href="http://www.lumenlab.com/estore/home.php?cat=261">LCD projector kits</a> - yes kits - for the hobbyist. But BrainChild - LumenLabs founder - is now branching into creating CNC robot kits.<br /><br />The results so far are quite impressive with a <a href=" http://lumenlab.com/estore/product.php?productid=16249">miniature CNC gantry style robot</a> available in kit form quite soon. This looks about the size of a <a href="http://www.rolanddg.co.uk/public/portfolio/details.aspx?id=53&type=1">Roland MX-15</a> but one quarter of the price. It doesn't look like you'd get much of a spindle on there though so I'm not sure it'd be up to cutting sheet aluminium - which is what I'd like.<br /><br />But it's BrainChild's current project that really appeals - the much larger <a href="http://lumenlab.com/robotics/">RoGR</a>. This looks like a very cool CNC tool with lots of applications - I particularly like that BrainChild notes 'Chess partner' as a possible use case. Some of the kit parts are already available but I'd be very interested to see the completed plans. Expected price is around $2000 which would seem to be extremely good value if you don't mind putting it together yourself.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-37461199415854093672008-08-05T13:17:00.000-07:002008-08-05T13:25:42.775-07:00Make envyI had planned to make a hobbyist robot arm based clock but it looks as though someone has <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/04/stonehenge-robotic-clock-telling-time-never-looked-so-fun/">beaten me to it</a>. There are lots of examples out there that used <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxD01oRMlI">commercial arms</a> but I found few that used the cheaper variety such as my <a href="http://www.lynxmotion.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=2">Lynxmotion 5-DOF arm</a>.<br /><br />That's the problem with getting something new on Make - it's terrifically difficult to come up with something new, and when you do you have to hurry!<br /><br />Thankfully I still have my XXXXXXXXXXXXXX idea that doesn't even produce any hits on Google. I guess that now I should really go and order some Arduino boards and get soldering...Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-47714481043656242152008-08-05T00:15:00.000-07:002008-08-05T13:12:29.249-07:00ApplicationJeff Atwood <a href="http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001160.html">tells me</a> that I have to keep the posts coming if I am to obtain anything from this writing process. It doesn't matter if they're good or bad - the posts must be written - sorry! He writes the excellent blog '<a href="http://www.codinghorror.com/">Coding Horror</a>'. There's a lot of good stuff for coders in there as well as some nice humour. But it's the variety of topics that impresses me and keeps reminding me that I have to branch out a bit - perhaps.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm currently looking into the possibility of taking on some kind of part time engineering course at a local community college to hone my practical machining skill's while I don't have any workshop of my own. I did find that the <a href="http://www.thamesgatewaycollege.ac.uk/">Thames Gateway College</a> provides the <a href="http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/cgonline/hs.xsl/1797.html">C&G course</a> that I have talked about before on a part time basis. However, they don't mention what 'part time' means in terms of timetable specifics. It might just mean 'three days a week' which wouldn't really work for me. I've put in an application anyway so we'll see what happens. I also got accepted on a Welding Course at Newham College but I'm not going to take it on now as I'd really like to crack on with some machining. Oddly Newham don't understand the concept of part time evening courses either. The classes are in the evenings but the enrollment is scheduled for 10:00am on a Tuesday? Work anyone?<br /><br />Oh well, I could write more but the bus is pulling into Victoria now so it'll have to wait until my return journey. Should I re-title the blog: 'Elliot's banal bus blog'?Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-30885266622549941422008-07-28T01:39:00.001-07:002008-07-30T00:25:24.869-07:00Signs of UK Co-operative and Open-Access workshopsI have been a little quiet lately but that doesn't mean that I haven't been productive in my research. <br /><br />I located a pay-as-you go workshop in London. Based in Acton, '<a href=" http://www.makingroom.co.uk/">MakingRoom</a>' looks rather good. The website gallery depicts and large and modern carpentry workshop that is available for use at prices starting from £90 per day. The bias certainly seems to be towards wood working and hence I don't think there is any opportunity for the milling of metal, welding, 3D printing etc. Furthermore the price is quite steep for casual non-commercial users. However it is promising that such endeavours have already sprouted on this side of the Atlantic.<br /><br />With these discoveries in mind I thought it worth continuing my exploration of London based workshop facilities. I recently returned to the message boards and posted requests for information regarding UK based co-operative and open-access workshop facilities to both <a href=" http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/dorkbotlondon-blabber/2008-July/001230.html">dorkbotlondon</a> and <a href="http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=3152">Makezine forums</a>. From the start I haven't expected the Makezine post to yield much information as it is - as you would expect - US centric. And why not, I'm rather impressed with the organization of the US Maker movement.<br /><br />However, I hoped that <a href="http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotlondon/">dorkbotlondon</a> has it's collective finger on the pulse of London and so far it hasn't been a total disappointment. A couple of members have responded to me and one made me aware of the <a href=" http://www.somethinglabs.co.uk">SomethingLabs</a> studio in Bethnal Green. Along with desk rental the space includes an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsumo/2230380087/in/set-72157603824030667/">'occasional use' workshop</a>. I have sent along an inquiry to find out whether they'd be supportive of projects with an engineering and workshop bias. Interestingly one of SomethingLabs residents is <a href="http://www.tinker.it/">Tinker.it</a> - a European distributor of the <a href="http://www.arduino.cc/">Arduino</a> platform.<br /><br />On a related note I'd like to see the UK circulation statistics for <a href="http://www.makezine.com/">Make magazine</a> in UK regions to get an idea on the size and distribution of the UK Maker community. Last time I looked, Make was on sale in <a href="http://www.whsmith.co.uk/">WHSmiths</a>, so along with '<a href="http://www.canalboat.co.uk/">Canal Boat</a>' it's apparently gone mainstream in England - another good sign for UK Makers. Incidentally - I do like canals and canal boats although I have never bought the publication ;-)<br /><br />My next steps will be to check out what kind of <a href="http://www.workspacegroup.co.uk/london-commercial-property/workshops-to-let/">workshop spaces are available to rent in London</a> although I'm quite certain they'll be out of this individuals price range...Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-73321777593961380562008-07-21T10:27:00.000-07:002008-07-21T13:38:11.112-07:00Fame on StreetViewThis weekend I was enjoying a nice stroll along the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_River_(England)#Modern_alterations">New river walk</a> in Islington. When I came to the eastern end of the path at St. Pauls Road I decided to take in the view of the street by peering over the railings. As I did this, to my surprise, the <a href="http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/07/16/street_view_london_7.jpg">Google Street view car</a> dashed past before disappearing down a road on the right hand side. The cars roof top <a href=" http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/07/16/street_view_london_8.jpg">cluster</a> - that contains many cameras, laser range scanners, and presumably GPS antennas - had lots of LEDs blipping away which leads me to hope that my visage was captured and will shortly make it onto the <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/15/google_spycar_map/">UK version</a> of <a href="http://www.google.com/help/maps/streetview/">Street View</a> - albeit blurred. Watch <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110642923461374140352.00045288b2e097c57852c&t=h&z=19">this space</a>...Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-53522974181238655702008-07-21T05:17:00.000-07:002008-07-21T05:22:04.608-07:00TechShop reviewI found a good <a href="http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2007/09/techshop-geek-h.html">review of TechShop here</a>. They really seem to have a nice workshop with some very cool tools - if only they'd open one in Hackney so that I could build a robot army!Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-28053360047221641712008-07-15T05:19:00.000-07:002008-07-15T05:55:38.905-07:00Skills development voidWith my current resolve to do something constructive with my hands I decided that I'd like to get some practical training and develop some skills using CNC machines and perhaps some welding. Being aware of hotcourses and floodlight I thought it'd be fairly easy to locate a suitable evening course at a local community college.<br /><br />My searching however was fruitless, yielding only a welding course at Newham college. Instead I turned to the 'City and Guilds' website to investigate relevant qualifications that they offer in this field. Sure enough I found a course that looked perfect: '<a href="http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-A09A6800-7EE9B5AA/cgonline/hs.xsl/1797.html">Performing Engineering Operations</a>'. It seemed to have a nice mix of machining and welding - quite exciting. Next I needed to find a course provider who would offer this as a part time evening class. A <a href="http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-97058527-093224EF/cgonline/hs.xsl/CentreSearchResults.html?fPostcodeSearch=true&PARTGROUP=City+%26+Guilds&fQualificationID=2251&fQualificationType=NVQ&fQualificationName=Performing+Engineering+Operations&fQualificationLevel=1%2C2&fPostcode1=ec2a+3ey">quick postcode search</a> at City and Guilds indicated that the <a href="http://www.candi.ac.uk/">City and Islington College</a> - right on my doorstep - was registered to provide this course. Excellent...<br /><br />Unfortunately it turns out that although the college is registered to provide this course it does not currently offer it to students. In fact the majority of colleges registered for 'Performing Engineering Operations' do not actually provide it. Furthermore, the institutions that did only offer it on a full time basis so I'm out of luck there.<br /><br />I've tried to find alternatives by posting requests for information on both the <a href="http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=3117&page=1">Maker forum</a> and the <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/sci.engr.mech/browse_thread/thread/24b09a5fa3929907/d27f46489b1ad500#d27f46489b1ad500">sci.engr.mech newsgroup</a> but there as been little information arriving. An educational professional has explained that my difficulty in finding a course is due to the reluctance of the govenrment to provide opportunities for learning that do not lead to a qualification. However, this does not quite explain why I could have my pick of Jewelry manufacturing courses but can't find anyone to teach me how to use a CNC machine.<br /><br />My next port of call will be the <a href="http://www.open.ac.uk">Open University</a> but I find it unlikely that I'll be able to learn practical engineering skills by mail!Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-18699043863330559592008-07-15T05:03:00.000-07:002008-07-15T05:19:21.278-07:00UK Maker sceneThese past few days I've been trying to distill my ideas for an urban communal engineering workshop. I've uncovered a little bit more information regarding the Maker scene in the UK and while it's not exactly as burgeoning as that in the US, it's certainly established. My web wanderings first lead me to the <a href="http://forums.makezine.com/">Make forums</a> where I became quickly impressed and then rapidly jealous of the stateside <a href="http://makerfaire.com/">Maker Faire</a>s. These events bring together like minded people for home brew technology demos, workshops, and exhibitions in an informal fun setting - a fairground! Why can't there be something like this in the UK? Well it turns out there is...<br /><br />In one particular <a href="http://forums.makezine.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=406&page=1">Make forum thread</a> there was two year year long gripe by UK Makers about the lack of UK based meetings like the stateside Maker Faires. This was the first indication that there are UK Makers out there. But more importantly one of the posts referred to the <a href="http://www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotlondon/">London branch of dorkbot</a> as a possible alternative. I had heard of dorkbot many years ago - probably when I was reading <a href="http://www.ntk.net/">NTK</a> which I believe is an affiliate. The group states that if consists of 'People doing strange things with electricity' and brings together artists, engineers, and geeks for creative endeavours. The group seems to have been running for seven years now and they've had over 55 meetings - so I feel particularly foolish for not getting involved earlier on.<br /><br />Aside for the monthly city meets dorkbotlondon is this year holding <a href="http://www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotlondon/camp08/">DorkCamp2008</a> - that seems to be a small scale event similar to a Maker Faire - at a campsite in Dorking (hehe). This is the third year the camp has been running and the initial <a href="http://www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotlondon/wiki/index.php/ThingsHappening">schedule</a> looks pretty cool. However, due to prior commitments I won't be able to attend this year :-(<br /><br />Anyway, I've been reasonably encouraged by my findings and will certainly try to make it along to the next dorkbotlondon meet in August. Hopefully this means that there will be some other London based individuals who might like to get together to use a London based shared engineering workshop - like <a href="http://www.techshop.ws/">TechShop</a> but on a [much] smaller scale.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-85222930038984321122008-07-10T02:57:00.000-07:002008-07-15T05:17:44.728-07:00TechShopRecently I described my wish for an inner city community based workshop resource. This would enable those of us living in limited city abodes to get workshop time on some cool machinery and thus exercise some creativity. Well it looks like something similar is already advancing well in the US and on a typically American scale too. <a href="http://www.techshop.ws">TechShop</a> offers its members shop-time on a wide range of equipment on a subscription basis. Furthermore it also offers classes and training to ensure that tools are used safely.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.techshop.ws/equipment.html">range of the equipment</a> is impressive and includes tools for automotive repairs, laser etching, plasma cutting, electronic engineering, and sheet metal work. Access to tools can be booked and memberships are managed with RFID tags. Memberships are reasonably priced at around £600 a year - which I personally think is pretty good - I'd rather join TechShop than some Soho members club!<br /><br />The question is: When will TechShop cross the Atlantic?Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-2809758823464148332008-07-07T11:52:00.000-07:002008-07-07T12:18:06.533-07:00Maker shopI recently had an idea for we creative urbanites. I love living in a city but unless I happen to suddenly come into a lot of cash I'll be confined to a flat. That pretty much rules out any kind of shed, garage, or workshop where I can tinker or play with heavy machinery without upsetting my neighbours. And surely there are so many others in the same position - unable to exercise their mechanically creative bent due to lack or tools and a place to keep and operate those tools.<br /><br />The same is true of exercise equipment. But thankfully - if you are so inclined - you can join a gym. So why not organize some kind of membership based city workshop? The idea would be to get together and house a collection of workshop tools in a suitable inner city location. Member subscriptions would pay for the operation and upkeep of the workshop. The cost could be split across many members who would have access to facilities beyond the reach of even the best equipped personal sheds and such! <a href="http://www.makezine.com/">Makers</a> living in even the tiniest studios would have a place to create and construct and the community feel would no doubt generate an excellent creative environment that would encourage the transfer of knowledge and skills.<br /><br />Of course there would be some hurdles - health and safety would be a huge concern. In the gym would this is tackled by having inductions and trained supervisors. Could we not have similar in our workshop clubs?<br /><br />I also think that there are a few different models of operation that we could adopt:<br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-weight:bold;">Commerical operation</span> - for profit, income from membership subscriptions.</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight:bold;">Not for profit collective</span> - a group of individuals get together and run the club for the benefit of themselves</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight:bold;">Community project</span> - Involve the local community, make links with technical colleges etc., gather funding from the local council.</li><br /><li>or perhaps a mix or some of the above?</li><br /></ul><br />Now I should mention that this idea is not wholly original - there was an <a href="http://www.csiguide.com/episodedetail.aspx?csi=92">episode of CSI</a> where a group of combat robot enthusiasts operated a similar venture. In this instance one of the characters gave shop time to friends (and enemies as the plot required). But don't let that put you off.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6147831055676263294.post-82885952327650709232008-07-07T11:45:00.000-07:002008-07-07T11:52:03.018-07:00OpenTech 2008I recently attended the <a href="http://www.ukuug.org/events/opentech2008/">OpenTech 2008</a> conference at ULU. The quality of the content and speakers was very high and I very much enjoyed the three sessions that I attended even though some of the topics weren't quite what I had originally expected. I was particularly keen to hear what Nick Black had to say about <a href="http://www.openstreetmap.org">OpenStreetMap</a> - a project that I last looked at when it was in it's infancy. Well it has certainly come along way and some of the maps are quite <a href="http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.52895&lon=-0.15193&zoom=15&layers=B00FTF">beautiful</a> when compared to their commercial counterparts. I particularly like the fine grained details that some users have added such as walking paths, cycle routes, and of course pubs. When I got home I immediately uploaded some of my own GPS track data from my <a href="http://one-third-life-crisis.blogspot.com/">travels</a> in New Zealand, and Tibet - both apparently in regions not already mapped by the project. I hope to create some street and path data from the tracks when I have increased my competency with the <a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/JOSM">map creation tools</a> to a suitable standard.Elliot Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923631905285214423noreply@blogger.com0