Project update #12
Hi,
Here’s a new update on what we’ve been working on over the last two weeks.
Tension Arm
We’re finalizing the design of the tension arm, and our tests show promising results. Right now, we’re focused on optimizing the design of individual components. Here are the key improvements:
Integrated Water Nozzle: The water nozzle is now built into the wire guide, reducing the chance of trapped air bubbles and ensuring precise flushing aimed directly at the workpiece.
Rerouted Cables and Tubes: We've reorganized the internal wiring and tubing layout to make assembly and repairs faster and more straightforward.
Improved Manufacturability: Some parts required excessive post-processing. To address this, we redesigned certain components and created jigs to speed up production.
Enhanced Usability: Some previous design elements were difficult to align and tighten. We’ve refined these areas to make setup and operation as user-friendly as possible.
Conclusion: We’re very happy with the improvements in the tension arm, it feels much sturdier and improves overall tolerances. Once all parts are finalized, we’ll conduct in-depth testing.
Coatings
Since most of our components are made from stainless steel, we’re exploring coatings to enhance their aesthetic appeal. Our primary focus is on black oxide, a treatment that darkens stainless steel while maintaining its corrosion resistance.
Additionally, we are running durability tests with a supplier to evaluate powder coating on stainless steel under submerged conditions with applied voltage.
Suppliers
As we refine our designs, we continue receiving parts from suppliers and performing rigorous quality control. This ensures we’re ready to place full-scale orders once the design meets our standards.
What’s Next?
Next week, we will finalize the remaining design optimizations for the tension arm. After that, we’ll shift focus to the outer shell and motion system. Once those are complete, we’ll move on to electronics development.
We’ll keep you updated!
The Closed Loop Makers Team