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Open Segment Fixture - Computer Indexing

Bob Beaupre

Administrator
Staff member
I’m in the process of updating my open segment fixture.
I want to up my segments.

I have a Driskell style fixture with index wheels about 8” diameter. It seems OK up to about 24 segments but over that I don’t feel the spacing is accurate enough (index plate needs to be larger I think).
2016-10-19 08.33.50.jpg IMG_20161116_092823530_HDR.jpg
I also, have Seg-Easy open segments plates and they work well, but only go up to 48 segments, (they too have their inherent problems.
IMG_20170126_145615391.jpg
I’ve seen Ray Feltz’s fixture
2016-10-28 12.35.59.jpg

And Tom Lohman’s fixture
IMG_20161028_155430705.jpg

The one I am working on is similar to the fixture Tom Lohman, with my own twist on things.

What are you using??

Any suggestions for improvement?

What works and what doesn’t work?

Give me ideas be fore I start pounding nails and cutting wood
 
Revised the base to take up a little less room. Made up the materials list and will be picking up materials Monday. Already picked up my bushings for the axle to hold the bowl. Just need to get my timing gears and timing belt, hopefully I hear from the supplier on Monday. Oh I forgot to say this baby is going to be computer operated. :)
 
Wait, what? It will be interesting to see you final setup. PC controlled, that is sweet.
 
Here is a screen shot of the computer program for controlling the stepper motor. The last of the components are on order. We'll go pick up the wood today.

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Linear rails and bearings and segment platform are installed. Now I wait for the timing belts and pulleys.
Looking good though. Still need to come up with a way of locking the segment platform in place.
2017-02-17 17.41.07.jpg 2017-02-17 17.41.38.jpg 2017-02-17 17.40.55.jpg
 
Linear rails and bearings and segment platform are installed. Now I wait for the timing belts and pulleys.
Looking good though. Still need to come up with a way of locking the segment platform in place.
View attachment 2249 View attachment 2250 View attachment 2251

Looking really good Bob. What about using a threaded rod and a crank on top, thus also having infinite positions for the platform. Looks like it will ride the rails very smoothly.
 
Upper section of the fixture is now complete. Unless I want to get fancier with tray and such, but we'll wait until I'm actually do some work on it.

IMG_20170219_140453648.jpgIMG_20170219_140540335.jpg

Tomorrow the timing belts and pulleys will show up so I can finish the drive.
Then I can punch a hole for the motor pig tail, and then I can hook up the computer and see if every thing works.
Bad thing is Tuesday we leave for a week of vacation where it's warm.
I'll be thinking open segment all week!! :D:D
 
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