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Post by Derek the Admin on Mar 9, 2017 6:01:04 GMT
I'd like to do some sort of contest. I haven't hammered down what I want it to be, but it obviously is going to have something to do with coolest project/most creative/most impressive, etc.
I know we have guys of differing skill levels so I don't want to set up the rules such that a new guy doesn't have a shot. The prize will probably be something like some end mills or something of that nature. I'd probably leave it open for a while because I know a lot of y'all are busy like I am.
Give me some input and let's go from there.
Derek
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Post by mp4doggie on Mar 9, 2017 13:26:53 GMT
1st and that means I win One free M3 please  |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 9, 2017 19:13:37 GMT
I'd like to do some sort of contest. I haven't hammered down what I want it to be, but it obviously is going to have something to do with coolest project/most creative/most impressive, etc. I know we have guys of differing skill levels so I don't want to set up the rules such that a new guy doesn't have a shot. The prize will probably be something like some end mills or something of that nature. I'd probably leave it open for a while because I know a lot of y'all are busy like I am. Give me some input and let's go from there. Derek Derek, Fantastic idea. I won't bore you with all the details, but I used to compete in challenge contests for designing aircraft in a flight simulator called X-Plane. The flight sim also had a design software set built into it. There would be a challenge every month or so, and it had specific criteria. For instance, a single piston engine aircraft, with a max horsepower rating of 150hp, that could ferry 2000 pounds of cargo out of an airstrip that was 1000 feet long, and it had to have a maximum airspeed of 150mph and a range of at least 200 miles, etc... These were always fun, because you could design whatever type of plane you wanted, then load it into the software and test it. I would propose something similar here. I love your idea of having a periodic contest, perhaps we could have something similar to this: Millright Dust Shoe Design Competition:1) May only use Easel, 123d Design, and/or TinkerCAD to design the parts (Levels the playing field for people who may not know Fusion 360 or other more complicated software, and it's free to use). 2) The design must be cut on the Millright M3, AND ONLY use any material you can legitimately cut on a Millright M3 (a.k.a wood, plastic, acrylic, etc.) 3) You can use any hardware commonly available at your local hardware store to assemble it (screws, glue, corner brackets, PVC pipe, etc.) 4) May NOT contain any parts 3d printed, or otherwise not commonly found at the local hardware store (this would prevent people like me from creating a super nice design and 3d printing the bulk of it, since everyone will likely not have a 3d printer) 5) Budget Criteria - Must not cost more than $40 to assemble (Keeps people with deep pockets from gaining an advantage by using exotic materials, a.k.a Carbon Fiber). Note that this does not prevent them from using carbon fiber (just can't use it as my main material as it's too expensive), or 3d printing parts. If the part is commonly available at the local hardware store, I should be able to print a replica of it to save on my own personal costs. But the full price of that part should count against my budget, or just say "no 3d printing parts". Using the free software and only the M3 milling machine also levels the playing field IMHO. I love the idea though. I would definitely participate no matter what the contest goals were. That's my two cents worth Jason |
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Post by mp4doggie on Mar 9, 2017 20:00:11 GMT
I like J's idea . It gets every ones hands dirty (if the choose to compete) in making something . An if it has a focus rather them random projects it will be easier to judge
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Post by markwisniowski on Mar 10, 2017 5:21:51 GMT
Oh come on, how about us intermediate Fusion360 guys? (running the free "student/hobbyist" version)  |
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 10, 2017 5:37:27 GMT
Oh come on, how about us intermediate Fusion360 guys? (running the free "student/hobbyist" version) Just giving ideas. Contests are most fun when more people participate. Leveling the playing field helps more people participate... Not meant to put down Fusion 360 at all, it's powerful... Not my call though, I'm sure Derek will figure it all out. But I'll participate either way... 😁 J |
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Post by aforww on Mar 10, 2017 23:17:35 GMT
Funny that you mention this Derek. I was unpacking my materials for my Dust Shoe build I'm doing this weekend and I have enough left over for one more. I was going to get with you about giving one away as contest gift. You know the projects that I have on my agenda. That could be a big one to do as well. Also working on a design for a low profile fixturing jig to allow things to be clamped in and milled like on a traditional milling machine. That's dependent on the project we've been discussing though and way down the line.
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Post by Derek the Admin on Mar 14, 2017 4:15:04 GMT
Good ideas all around fellas. Maybe by this weekend I'll be able to designate official criteria and a prize. I did get some MillRight CNC hats made that might be worth throwing in the prize ring if they come out decent.
I'm open to the dust shoe you are making as a give away, though you'd have to let me pay you for it. Then again, if we do a dust shoe competition the winner won't necessarily want another. Food for thought though on another competition.
The dust shoe competition seems like a pretty good idea... I know aforww has a good head start there. Maybe we can handicap by only allowing him to use something like a V bit. LOL Let's say we do the dust shoe competition. I do like mrbigj's suggestion of limiting the materials, or else somebody will just 3d print one off thingiverse, notch it a bit , and call it a cnc project. The budget consideration is reasonable, but I think you can neutralize that with the proper scoring systems. IE: scoring criteria of style, affordability, effectiveness (as judged by seeing it, obviously can't test it over the web, etc. With such a system you could be as flashy as you wanted with high dollar carbon fiber, but the dude making his out of soda bottle will score higher on affordability.
Alright, gimme through the weekend and I'll see if we can formalize something.
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Post by mrbigj on Mar 14, 2017 4:18:51 GMT
Good ideas all around fellas. Maybe by this weekend I'll be able to designate official criteria and a prize. I did get some MillRight CNC hats made that might be worth throwing in the prize ring if they come out decent. I'm open to the dust shoe you are making as a give away, though you'd have to let me pay you for it. Then again, if we do a dust shoe competition the winner won't necessarily want another. Food for thought though on another competition. The dust shoe competition seems like a pretty good idea... I know aforww has a good head start there. Maybe we can handicap by only allowing him to use something like a V bit. LOL Let's say we do the dust shoe competition. I do like mrbigj's suggestion of limiting the materials, or else somebody will just 3d print one off thingiverse, notch it a bit , and call it a cnc project. The budget consideration is reasonable, but I think you can neutralize that with the proper scoring systems. IE: scoring criteria of style, affordability, effectiveness (as judged by seeing it, obviously can't test it over the web, etc. With such a system you could be as flashy as you wanted with high dollar carbon fiber, but the dude making his out of soda bottle will score higher on affordability. Alright, gimme through the weekend and I'll see if we can formalize something. Can't wait! |
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Post by aforww on Mar 14, 2017 4:29:03 GMT
I'll tell you right now, there are no dust shoe plans out there that will work on our machine. Lol. I just finished another design I'll cut when some more HDPE arrives in a couple of days. There's only about 13mm of clearance to the back with my spindle mount and it has to be narrow enough to maintain X axis capacity while still accommodating a four inch dust collector hose for my setup. Oh, and I won't be competing because I already have several designs I'm working on. I'll be happy to help judge though. |
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Post by aforww on Mar 16, 2017 1:46:46 GMT
So, I'm going to throw in my own prize on the contest if anyone is interested. Just gotta pay shipping. It's a small metal square with magnetic base. Great for squaring all kinds of things because of its small size and heavy magnetic base. I use it for all my saws, my M3 for plumb and square, my drill press, and for making quick witness marks. FastCap Magnetic Micro Square www.amazon.com/dp/B0039ZJIFG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rYEYyb6RD7J3PI ordered one to replace the one I already have but couldn't find. Well, I found mine today and was going to send it back but thought this was more fun. |
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