I’ve continued to refine my SolidWorks modeling methodology and have been bringing older files into accordance with the new strategies. A new video explains more of this.
I’d just completed the huge project of breaking down the CAD model for the dropouts so that I could build it back up a lot better. This doesn’t always need to happen but so much had been done to this model over the last few years I felt that it was time. Old issues can get buried and cause problems moving into the future. Folks should do this from time to time.
I found the opportunity to explain more of the nuance involved with master part work in SolidWorks. I describe how a part needs to be configured in terms of construction geometry to ensure durability when changes are made to the master part file. This is very important especially while a system is being implemented but also later when a new file is being swapped in. References matter.
I also did a bit of shop improvement this past week.
There are several issues working with the Rhino Cart as a welding table that come up over time. The scars left by ground arcing to the table work to degrade the nice surface that I depend on for my tooling. It’s also difficult to sit at the table when doing general welding work as there is no place for my knees to go placing me far from my work. I thought the problem through, tested, and made a little top extension that solved both issues.
A simple plate mounted to the surface ‘fixes’ both issues. I can remove the plate easily and quickly or position it anywhere else on the table I desire. It’s as cheap as a small sheet of 1/2″ aluminum plate can be. Here, I just used some salvage material. Countersunk 1/4-20 screws go into the BuildPro magnetic thread bosses that I’ve discussed in the past.
Since there is so much electrical contact between the plate and the rest of the table, my ground cable can connect anywhere on the table and there will be no arcing between the two. Easy.
I planned this out so that I had a nice perimeter of dog holes around the plate to maximize my clamping opportunities using the tools that have been invested in the BuildPro ecosystem. It’s pretty cool how well this works and how simple it is.
Were I to intend to produce this from the start and purchase a specific sheet of aluminum, rather than rely on salvage, I’d use the design shown below. This would make the best possible use of the opportunity and effort. Obviously, it can be made larger in 2.00″ increments in any direction and another row/offset of screws to account for more overhang. YMMV.
