Open Source Machine Tools Blog

Previous Next
Click to view joabarrera's profile
4

In this post I want to put forth an open question: What is the best way to create open source hardware?

With hardware I am keeping the field open, it can be a whole machine or a piece of it - and addendum. Anything from a tool to an extra axis or pallet loader.

Now why am I posting this question? Well I have too many unknowns and many theories and I think its is time I ask what the MFGx community thinks.

There are many reasons why one would like to create open source hardware, I am going to narrow these down so that I can organize my thoughts.

1. Access: By reducing cost, allowing local sourcing and providing engineering blue prints, access is greatly increased. Not just by shops in the US but all over the world.
2. Control: By building your own hardware, one gains an incredible amount of control over what the machine can do.
3. Capabilities: What is supplied by the mainstream manufactures is no longer what you get stuck with.
4. Cost: A combination of all of the above can lead to substantial cost savings especially in higher capability systems.

I want to hear your comments. This is only the begging, later I want to get into component selection, spindles, machine configurations, performance and features and how to go about defining these.

IMG_0936.jpg
Picture: Prototype CNC machine being developed in Colombia. 5HP 10,000 RPM BT40 Spindle 18x20x22in displacement.



May 31, 2008 9:43 AM Click to view no1toolmkr's profile no1toolmkr

Don't get me wrong, I realy like the open source hardware. I'm just convinced the CNC machine is not the right product to start with. The CNC machine is relatively easy 3, 4, or 5 axis even. I just don't see the CNC machine as the ice breaker for open source hardware because not everyone wants one. You need a realy cool invention that everyone is going to want and can be made on a CNC. Then everyone will want to build one.
The CNC machine will never be more than a taxi that gets you there.
People want cars and bycycles not the machines that made them.

May 31, 2008 9:50 AM Click to view no1toolmkr's profile no1toolmkr in response to: no1toolmkr

In other words;
I strongly believe your going to need a Catalyst to get the reaction you want.
A new product thats not available any other way.

Jun 4, 2008 7:23 PM Click to view DarrenV's profile DarrenV

I have been searching for an open source CNC mill and so Mr. Barrera's design is the best I have found. The main reason it is not a retrofit or ebay conglomeration. Both of these things would make the design proprietary. I might not be able to find the same mill he did, or the same parts he found on ebay. By his method everyone would have the same mill with which to design components for. This is where the value of this approach lies, it in effect creates a standard that others can build upon.

This, by economic principle will work. His design will be cheaper than an equivalent commercial machine, therefore the user base will grow. A sizable number of people that build his open source mill will also design attachments. Furthermore I could see it fostering other open source aspects of the design. Maybe he starts off with a commercial spindle, another individual decides to lower the costs even further and designs another, open source spindle.

at any rate, he is doing something instead of talking about doing something, and I greatly appreciate it.

Jun 5, 2008 5:40 AM Click to view no1toolmkr's profile no1toolmkr in response to: DarrenV

The idea of a Forum such as this is to push thinking to its edge, Force every perspective to be thought of, analyze all the results as carefully as we allow our selves.
And in my comment was nothing more than an opinion.
The Idea Joabarrera and MFG and yourself sugest is that open source hardware go global.
I get it. I'm only sugesting that to to fulfill this rather high but achievable goal quickly is this. It needs a catalyst to make it more desired. A line of products including replacement parts for itself. "An inovative network of global knolledge about technology products".
Think What Latin did for medical knolledge. It provided a link to all cultures across the globe.
Medical Knolledge could be written in books and studied around the globe for everyones benifit.
Allthough before the time of the internet of course but the principle is the same.
There needs to be a document and or language that describes the parts to a universal standard of dimensions, materials and processes.
And as far as retrofit or from scratch. its irrevelent because its the technology to do either that needs to be available more than the argument.

Open Source Machine Tools Blog

The official Blog for the Open Source Machine Tools initiative from MFG.com.

Popular Blog Posts