August 2023 - Machine maintenance and upgrade delays
We have been exceptionally busy this month, trying to create space to begin work on the 4th axis for the CNC machine so that we can manufacture many of the more intricate parts for the tonearm. This has primarily involved setting up a dedicated area to store the compressor.
The workspace in the workshop is extremely limited, and until now, we had the compressor placed in front of the CNC electronics cabinet. However, we have now relocated it to its own small shed outside the workshop. This change is advantageous for conserving space and creating a quieter work environment in the workshop.
August 2023 - Machine maintenance and upgrade delays
We have been exceptionally busy this month, trying to create space to begin work on the 4th axis for the CNC machine so that we can manufacture many of the more intricate parts for the tonearm. This has primarily involved setting up a dedicated area to store the compressor.
The workspace in the workshop is extremely limited, and until now, we had the compressor placed in front of the CNC electronics cabinet. However, we have now relocated it to its own small shed outside the workshop. This change is advantageous for conserving space and creating a quieter work environment in the workshop.
It started out as a flat pack garden storage shed.
The storage shed slowly came together, luckily we had nice weather that weekend.
Once the mini shed was built, it was time to start thinking about how to make it more soundproof so as not to annoy the neighbors too much. We decided to use a 30mm thick sound-deadening, self-adhesive car insulation roll. This was cut into sections to fit between the studs of the shed and then covered with 5.5mm thick plywood.
Space is limited in a terrace house back garden but we managed to fit it in next to the main workshop.
The floor was reinforced underneath and inside then insulated.
All the walls, front doors, and roof will have the sound deadening insulation installed, and to do this, we needed to add an extra 10 meters of wooden battens so we could attach the outer plywood. This took my dad and me two whole days to complete.
Here its starting to take shape with the back walls done.
All insulation and plywood fitted with 1st coat of mold proof paint.
Now, the enclosure is finished and ready to be plumbed into the existing workshop. To do this, we decided to use some commercial-grade conduit, like the one we used for the CNC machine.
This way, we know it will be weatherproof and liquid-tight. We had to machine some faceplates from acetal plastic so that we could securely mount the conduit connectors to the side of each structure. We made these using the CNC machine with the assistance of Fusion 360.
1st op roughing out the rear on the CNC machine.
We machined the same hex pattern to the rear of the of mounting plate as the conduit couplers nut for easy toolless installation.
The other side was machined flat, a chamfer added and some countersinks for the wood screws.
After completing all of this, it was time to install the compressor, its airline, and power connection. To do this, I had to trim back all the overgrown vegetation from behind the workshop. It was quite tight on space, but we managed to get it done.
Drilling holes required a small hole saw.
Each mounting plate was also sealed with Loctite silicone.
Here it is all complete, quite a neat job i think!
Once all of this was completed, we needed to find a way to connect various things in the workshop that required compressed air, such as the CNC machine and air guns. To achieve this, we constructed a couple of manifolds that would distribute the air where it was needed.
We made the rough profile of the manifolds on the CNC machine and finished them off with the manual mill.
We used standard brass pipe connectors and euro style air connections.
This one has a tap installed so we can turn the air on and off to the CNC machine tool holder.
That concludes the air compressor installation. The next significant task on our list is to get the 4th axis up and running so we can complete the first run of Clear Wave unipivot tonearms. Here are a couple more photos showing the finished compressor in its new home.
It only just fits in once all the insulation and plywood was installed!
We used an outdoor power receptacle and installed two air vents so the compressor has a bit of passive cooling.
As always, thank you for taking the time to look at this month's blog post. If you have any questions, the various contact methods are at the bottom of the page.