The CNC machine has started making bits ... for itself

Posted on Sunday, 22 June 2008

One of the key themes of the terminator movies is machines that make machines. Well we are now doing our bit to help move towards that future with the CNC machine now cutting out bits for itself!

I suppose I had better get moving on my foil designs. If only I didn't have another moth related side project that was keeping me busy ...

Current state of the CNC machine

Posted on Thursday, 12 June 2008

So the last video of the CNC machine was snooze worthy. This one is a little better and it shows where we were at on Sunday night.

In case you are wondering that is my brother, Andrew in the video. The next stop will be some cutting tests in a couple of weeks time. Once dust extractors have been purchased and installed.

The other stream of work that is going on is the analysis and design of the foils. The first set will be ultra conservative with the goal of catching back up with everyone else, before anything else is tried. So yes that means boring old NACA 63412 and semi-elliptical profiles like the Mk5 Prowler.

More work ahead

Posted on Saturday, 07 June 2008

I have always had a lot of respect for John Ilett's work, but I have not experienced it personally. Until today. Lea was kind enough to give me a sail on his prowler, and I was facking impressed. It felt so much quicker than my boat it was not funny, and it's all down to the foils.

The wind was a steady 15 with some serious gusts to 20-22+, and the speed over the water was seriously impressive. So impressive that I was completely shitting myself.

Returning to the shore, Lea asked if I had broken anything as I was coming in so soon. My response was simple and short, "no Lea, mi cohones pequeño"

New foils just jumped to the top of the winter build list. Now if only I had a CNC machine handy ...

25 percent

Posted on Friday, 06 June 2008

Upon the IMCA site at the moment is a general reminder that rule 20.3 (d) (i) will be enforced at the worlds What the heck is that rule? I'm glad you asked.

(d) (i) Boats
The forward part of the hull on each side of all participating boats in an event shall only display advertising chosen and required to be displayed by that event organizer as follows:
- for boats under 6.5 metres, 25% of the hull length, and 
- for boats over 6.5 metres, 20% of the hull length
excluding bow numbers.  If such advertising is required, it shall be so stated in the Notice of Race.  If advertising is for alcohol or tobacco, the word "may" instead of "shall" applies;

So this essentially means that the entire front 25% of the hull must be free of any sponsors logos, the name of you boat or any builders marks. I am glad I know this now as I was planning to put the name of my boat there when I re-paint it, and I would have to remove those stickers at any event that enforces this rule.

I think that major event sponsors deserve this type of exposure and I expect that more events will enforce this rule going forwards.

I can also see a lot of boat owners having to remove the Bladerider signage off the front of their boats in the next few weeks to comply with this rule. That would suck.

Z-axis test

Posted on Thursday, 05 June 2008

Just for Doug who doubts that the router will work, here is a short video of a test of the vertical or Z-axis.

And we are already planning version 2.