The son of Triangman Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 More work on the level crossing motorising unit. Accurate measurements are being taken. Some of you may recognise a DTI, this will be set up on my exactly level workbench today to test flatness of critical areas on the Hornby product to determine areas on the prototype drawings. The depth gauge is for determining hole depth and these measurements are also verified by the vernier caliper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat2018 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Your approach seems much more high-tech than mine. My crossing design should allow anyone with a reasonable amount of skill to build it using basic tools apart from a small pillar drill. I've purchased all the materials and hope to start building soon. Let's see who finishes first and compare designs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 Here's where our designs differ TC. Mine is going to be an off the shelf easy fit item. The buyer buys it from a shop, does a simple easy to do modification and the unit fits to the level crossing. A simple off the shelf solution. That's the plan, but there is a lot of measuring and design work, then off to CAD and prototyping. The prototypes will be tested to destruction. Accuracy is key for the product as it's going into CAD and it has to be a 5 minute fix product for the end user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat2018 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 I very much look forward to seeing your design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 It's a way off yet TC, but you are most welcome to view progress. I will post now and then as it progresses. It's one of those as and when projects. I have the motors, now gathering all the data and measurements I need, then a test rig will be 3D printed in my little 3D printer to test gear ratios for the gearboxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat2018 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Look forward to it. I'll post photos of my crossing both as finished and with the top off to show the workings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 I'm looking forward to seeing both of them thumbsup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Ready, Steady, GO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 I'm in no hurry. It takes whatever time it takes. Every prototype will be tested to destruction. As it will be a commercial product, accuracy and reliability is key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted November 14, 2023 Author Share Posted November 14, 2023 More on producing commercial motorising units for the Hornby level crossing gates. The gears have arrived, using off the shelf gearing means the units will be easier to repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 The bottom gear drive for the level crossing motoriser prototype, I have to increase the size of of the bottom gear, but it works fine. Ratio is 3 to 1, but I am going to increase that. The gearbox design has started, the final reduction drive gearing should reduce rotational speed down to 50 to 1, which should be slow enough to move the gates sensibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted December 14, 2023 Author Share Posted December 14, 2023 Work progresses on making an easy fit off the shelf motorising unit for Hornby, Wills and Peco level crossings, lots of design done, electronics are done more or less and they work. The case is just basic for testing purposes, a purpose built case and single gate are at the cad stage. A four gate motoriser is also being worked on.Mod note - image cropped and rotated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What About The Bee Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 Hello Son of TriangmanSince the purpose of your motorisation project is automated motion, may I request a link to a video? When you are ready, of course!Thank youBee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 Hello Bee, of course, will be delighted to post a video of it once it's ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 @SoTCan't see the picture, only a place holder. Project going well though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted December 18, 2023 Author Share Posted December 18, 2023 Hi Brew Man, apologies, the site doesn't let me upload a video alas, it's frustrating.The first tests of the custom gearing I have fitted to a commercially made gearbox and motor combo work well.End stops and they fixing points are next, then it's casing design.I've already designed the motor mounts.Motor current consumption when working is just 4 milliamps since the new gearing went in.Just got to set up a manufacturer reconditioned pc to replace my old one, I never buy new computers nowadays as you can get start of the art manufacturer reconditioned machines for a fraction of the price and a year's warranty.A member and friend here has seen the first tests of the new gearing. I may have to post some links when I get everything sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 Thanks, SoT for the update. No videos allowed yet, but hopefully that will change when the new forum software is released, which will apparently be sometime next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted December 18, 2023 Share Posted December 18, 2023 In the meantime, you can post a link to a YouTube video. R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat2018 Posted December 19, 2023 Share Posted December 19, 2023 Hi Son of Triangman, Off topic but I'm thinking of replacing my PC and wondered if you knew a reliable supplier of refurbished ones. There are so many who advertise on Ebay and I'm a bit wary.Also apologies for not updating on my level crossing project. My (non-live-in) partner has been seriously ill (thankfully much better now) and I've been staying at her place several times a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The son of Triangman Posted December 20, 2023 Author Share Posted December 20, 2023 Hi Topcat, sorry to hear about your partner, glad she is on the mend. Seems to be the time of year for serious illness, I'm waiting for a big op that is normally keyhole, but my op is an open up job, my cousin whom I live with now has Cancer, my mum is in a care home now due to dementia, and a friend has terminal cancer and is near the end.I use Dell as they do some nice refurbished systems, you can find them on their website and on amazon. Saves me a fortune on new tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat2018 Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Hi Son of Triangman. Thanks for the info about Dell, I will definitely take a look at them. Sorry to hear about your and your friends'/relatives' health problems.Hope to resume work on my motorised crossing soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Top at. Look at PC Speciialist. Super firm excellent service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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