With its twin three-axis gantry loader construction, Muratec USA’s new MW120GT Twin-Spindle CNC Chucker increases productivity while minimizing production time for both sides and features automated loading and unloading gantry systems that easily integrates into almost any manufacturing environment.

With its twin three-axis gantry loader construction, Muratec USA’s new MW120GT Twin-Spindle CNC Chucker increases productivity while minimizing production time for both sides of a processed workpiece to just 16 seconds in high-speed, A/B lathe operations. A subsidiary of Murata Machinery Ltd., based in Kyoto, Japan, Murata Machinery USA, Inc.’s machine tool division produces a variety of high-productivity machines for the metal-cutting industry.

“The MW120GT Twin Spindle Chucker is ideal for manufacturers who need a precision automated turning solution,” explained Steve Landrum, North American Sales Manager, Murata Machinery USA, Inc. “In operation, production speeds as fast as 16 seconds per cycle are possible on the MW120GT.”

Designed for complex turning applications, the MW120GT features two automated three-axis gantry loaders and can accommodate chucks of 165 or 210 mm (6.496 and 8.268 inches) in diameter. By completely separating and isolating machine bed and enclosures from the machine structure, the MW120GT eliminates any harmonic vibration transfer. Its high-speed gantry loader and turret axes also drastically reduce cycle time. Like all automated CNC turning machines, the MW120GT features automated loading and unloading gantry systems and easily integrates into almost any manufacturing environment.

Murata Machinery USA, Inc. is a world leader in manufacturing automated material-handling systems, machine-tool technology and textile machinery. The Machine Tool Turning Division supplies twin- and single-spindle automated turning centers that provide innovative technology and compact designs for high productivity with intelligent gantry-loader material handling.

Users of Muratec’s automated CNC turning lathes include aerospace manufacturing, automotive engineering and other industries that depend on precision, high-speed turning machines. All Muratec turning machines incorporate environmentally friendly, semi-dry cutting features to reduce dust, oil mist and odor for a safer work environment.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/2/prweb9162094.htm

UP TO 50 jobs have been lost after one of the Northern Ireland’s leading independent manufacturers based in Coagh went bust.

CNC Components which makes doors and accessories for kitchen and bedroom units called in the administrators on Monday.

However local firm Orrlee Kitchens which operates nearby has quashed all rumours that it is linked to CNC Components.

Managing director of Orrlee Robert Watson said while it is tragic that CNC had gone under, his firm, which manufactures kitchens, is thriving and still operating as a successful business and has no connection to CNC Components.

In a statement to the Mid Ulster Mail, the Director of CNC Components Tim Dillon, blamed the demise of his company on ‘major challenges in trading through a depressed market and consequential cash flow problems’.

Mr Dillon said: “It is with the greatest regret that we have reached this difficult decision which we believe is the only choice we have been left with. On behalf of myself and all the directors we would wish to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of our staff who have supported us throughout these difficulties.

“We would also wish to recognise the support of our customers and suppliers over the years.”

CNC Components (U.K) Limited was established in 1988 and employed more than 40 staff. The company operates from premises at Ruskey Road, Coagh.

John J. Cavanagh, of Cavanagh Kelly, the Administrator, has assessed the position of the company and the decision was taken to cease trading with immediate effect. The Administrator is considering options to sell the business and assets of the company. All opportunities to fulfil existing orders for customers are being explored.

Interested parties in the business and assets of the company should contact the Administrator’s Office at Cavanagh Kelly, 38 Northland Row, Dungannon, BT71 6AP telephone 028 8772 1194

Ulster Unionist Councillor Trevor Wilson, Chairman of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, said: “It is disappointing to hear of the loss of jobs at CNC components.

“It will be extremely difficult for those employees and their families who have been affected by this closure. The company has been a major employer in the area and the job losses will be a severe blow to the local economy.

However Councillor Wilson was keen to point out that nearby Orrlee Kitchens is still a thriving business.

“I would like to assure any customers and potential customers that Orrlee Kitchens are not part of CNC Components and are trading successfully,” he said.

Mid-Ulster DUP Assembly MLA Ian McCrea, has voiced his disappointment at the news that CNC Components based near Coagh has closed its doors, resulting in many jobs lost.

Councillor McCrea said: “It is with great sadness and disappointment that I heard of the closure of CNC Components a company that has served the community well over many years giving employment to many local people during this time.

“During these hard economic times and with growth slower than expected, it is understandable that businesses find it very difficult to stay afloat and I am in no doubt that the owners tried everything possible to keep the business running and that closure was a last resort.

“The knock on effect to the families of those employed at CNC components whose loved ones have lost their job is devastating and with rising living costs, times have never been tougher and I want to assure everyone that my constituency offices are open to help them to ensure they get everything they are entitled to.”

Ulster Unionist Sandra Overend also expressed her disappointment.

The Mid Ulster MLA said: “Unfortunately due to the current difficult economic climate some of our local businesses are finding it more and more difficult to sustain their future, and Mid-Ulster is witnessing a share of business closure as well as those going into administration.

“It a very difficult climate in which to thrive – the world is a much smaller place and competing companies are not just within Northern Ireland, the UK, or Europe, but across the globe.

“I am very saddened to hear of the closure of CNC Components - a local business which was trying to survive in a very competitive market. As a new year begins we do try to be optimistic for the future but it will be especially difficult for the forty people who are now without jobs, as well as the management.

“CNC Components is based at Ballynewy, Coagh; the land there was farmed by my late grandfather during the late 1940’s and I have often been proudly told of the family business that grew in Ballynewy after my grandparents moved to Stewartstown.

“I am saddened that CNC components has met its fate, however, I am glad that Orrlee Kitchens which is on the same site continues to thrive and I wish them future success.

“I offer my support to those affected and ask them to contact me if I can be of any assistance, at any time (Tel: 86748090 or 90520305) or call into my constituency office at 1 High Street, Moneymore.

“In times of austerity, which we currently find ourselves in, it is more important than ever that the government strives to work together to promote economic recovery and growth. The Ulster Unionist Party will continue to champion this need and drive the economy forward as best it might.”

http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/news/business/coagh_firm_cnc_components_goes_bust_with_up_to_50_jobs_lost_1_3407913

In trading on Wednesday, shares of Centene Corp (NYSE:CNC) entered into overbought territory, changing hands as high as $44.20 per share. We define overbought territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be overbought if the RSI reading rises above 70. In the case of Centene Corp, the RSI reading has hit 70.9 — by comparison, the RSI reading for the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is presently 69.2.

Investors could look at CNC’s 70.9 reading as a sign that the recent heavy buying is overdue to take a breather, which could bring a pullback in the stock. The chart below shows the one year performance of CNC shares:

Looking at the chart above, CNC’s low point in its 52 week range is $25.08 per share, with $44.20 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $44.14.

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, CNC makes up 4.03% of the S&P SmallCap Health Care Portfolio ETF (NASDAQ:PSCH) which is trading lower by about 0.4% on the day Wednesday.

See what other ETFs contain CNC »
See what other stocks are held by PSCH »

CNC operates in the Hospital & Medical Practitioners sector, among companies like LCA-Vision Inc. (NASDAQ:LCAV) which is down about 7% today and has a current RSI reading of 75.5. Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of CNC, versus LCAV.

http://www.marketnewsvideo.com/article/201201/cnc-crosses-technical-indicator-cnc-psch-lcav-CNC01112012rsi.htm/

It is very important to assess machine hazards for machinery like dovetail machine , edge banding machine, etc. to prevent human injury & death. No matter, which industry you are in, it is very essential to maintain industrial equipment and tools like wood cutting tools, wood clamps, dovetail machine, edge banding machine , edge cutter, mortise chisel, chisel mortiser, wood CNC router, etc. in good condition. This will extend the life of the machinery and will not affect productivity or cause disruption in routine activities.

It is very important to carry maintenance procedure for industrial equipment and tools like mortise chisel, chisel mortiser, wood CNC router, etc. Maintenance process will keep the machinery working in good condition all the times and will increase its efficiency. Besides maintenance, it is very important to install machine safety guards to prevent human injury or death. Machine related hazards may appear during machinery installation, operation or maintenance.

Safety guards are designed to get rid of potential hazards of machinery. You should adopt hazard control methods, which can reduce the hazard levels to a great extent. Selection of hazard control methods should be done on the basis of hazard control hierarchy. Manufacturer of machines usually design these guards.

All important details like installation process, operation and maintenance are specified in the manufacturer’s manual. However, there may be certain hazards which may take place after the machinery is installed at plant site. Possibility is there that such hazards have not being included in the safety manual. Such problems are very common and are result of various factors like extreme process condition or interaction with nearest moving equipment.

Identify the machinery

The first thing you should do is identify machinery like dovetail machine, edge banding machine edge cutter , etc. operated in your industry. Industrial equipment can be identified based on their types, area of their placement & source of energy used for operating machines. This will let you identify machines, which will be helpful in assessment of machinery hazards, before you determine safety guards. Assessment of machinery hazards for safety

Even though, you have a safety manual with you still it is very important to assess machine hazards of various industrial tools like wood cutting tools , wood clamps, etc. and risk assessment to ensure that no hazards are left out to be assessed.

To read more about importance and details of maintenance process for wood cutting tools, wood clamps , dovetail machine, edge banding machine, edge cutter, mortise chisel, chisel mortiser and wood CNC router, you can refer to related sites on Internet.

http://www.guide2nottingham.com/blogs/140/Dovetail-Machine-and-Wood-Clamps–Assessment-of-Machine-Hazards

By educating customers on coolant best practices, Quaker helps customers manage their costs for the long term

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining is when the functions and motions of a machine are controlled by an automated program.  CNC is beneficial in machining and grinding operations because of its high accuracy, short production time, and greater flexibility.  It can be used for multiple types of metals, but requires a metalworking fluid that provides a high degree of lubricity.

When Bahrat Electronics Limited (BEL) — a state-owned electronics company manufacturing advanced electronic products for the Indian Armed Forces — was experiencing problems with their metalworking fluid performance, tool life, hazardous waste generation and coolant odor in their CNC machining center, they turned to Quaker Chemical experts for help.

After analyzing the situation which involved the machining of brass parts, Quaker recommended switching to QUAKERCOOL® 3890 — a metalworking fluid designed for non-ferrous, medium-to-heavy duty machining and grinding operations requiring a high degree of lubricity, cleanliness, cooling, and corrosion protection — for all CNC machining operations. The change to QUAKERCOOL® 3890 offered improvements from day one, including increased tool life, reduction in hazardous waste generation and elimination of bad odors. BEL continues to experience these positive results 24 months later, with no change out of product — providing additional cost savings in process fluid purchases.

“Since the changeover to QUAKERCOOL® 3890,” said Kubera Naik B V., Manager/ CFF at Bharat Electronics Bangalore site, “we have experienced elimination of bad odors, which had been a major problem, and increased sump life while maintaining tool life, finish, and operator friendliness.”

As additional support, Quaker’s technical experts provided on-site training related to metalworking fluids, to share best practices in coolant management and help the customer better understand the subject matter.

“We are very happy with the day-to-day service, the prompt technical support, and efforts being extended to ensure total customer satisfaction from Quaker,” comments Mr. Naik.

For more information on Quaker Chemical, and its full product line offerings, including Chemical Management Services, please visit quakerchem.com.

Quaker Chemical Corporation is a leading global provider of process chemicals, chemical specialties, services, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries — including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, coatings and construction materials.  Quaker’s products, technical solutions, and chemical management services enhance customers’ processes, improve product quality, and lower costs.  Quaker’s headquarters is located near Philadelphia in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/10/4176586/delivering-long-term-value-for.html

SEOUL, KOREA — In its 2011 New Year editorial, North Korea emphasizes the need to become a powerhouse of science, technology, knowledge, and economy.  Kim Jong-eun, the designated successor to Kim Jong-il, is reputed to be a computer expert.  It is said that based on CNC (Computer Numerical Control), presented as a great achievement of Kim Jong-eun, North Korea expects great progress in science and globalization.

North Korea’s open-type CNC, manufactured by Ryonha Machinery

In general, CNC is one of the most advanced disciplines in contemporary science and technology.  CNC in machine tools is often referred to as “the mother of machinery”.  It is a highly advanced, proprietary technology that only a few countries in the world such as Germany (Siemens) and Japan (Mazak, Fanuc) master. Despite this, the North Korean government openly maintains that “our CNC technology has solidly reached the world’s highest level”.  Although North Korea tends to hyperbole, it is not an exaggeration given North Korea has launched satellites, indicating North Korean CNC technology is already highly advanced.

1. Status of North Korean Machine Tools

The term, machine tools for CNC, appeared in North Korea for the first time when Kim Jong-il found it on a trip for onsite training on April 29, 1995 and titled it “Ryonha Machinery”. Later, “Ryonha Machinery” became a representative term that covers various advanced machine tools manufactured in North Korea. The reports revealing North Korea’s current capacity to process machine tools for CNC include “the development of two-four axis standard machine tools for CNC in the 1990s, five-axis center lathe in the 2000s, and high-performance eight-nine axis machine tools for CNC” and “the development of nine-axis turning center lathe as the most advanced machine tool for CNC by Ryonha Machinery”, presented by the Korean Central News Agency of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on September 11, 2010.

This means that North Korea has achieved complete independence in developing eight or nine-axis machine tools as well as five-axis tools that are already universal among advanced countries.

As of yet, no accurate materials on the current status of precision of North Korean machine tools for CNC are available in South Korea. However, an article entitled “CNC technology” on the N. Korean newspaper Tongil Sinbo from January 2010 reports that <from the 1980s, the precision level of l/1,000mm(l?), unimaginable before, has become common and the super precise processing up to 0.l? (100nm) has become our reality.>

While a precision of up to 5nm is required for high-resolution electro-optical cameras used in satellites, given N. Korea’s two satellite launches in the 1980s mean its processing capacity for 100nm, North Korean machine tools has reached the world’s best that can compete with Germany and Japan.

This assumption can be confirmed from the fact that the USA selected the factory at Ryonha Machinery as a subject of sanctions. The USA has been aware of the power and level of North Korean technology for CNC for a long time. On October 21, 2005, the country selected the factory (Korea Ryonha Machinery Joint Venture Corporation) as a subject of sanctions so that North Korean machine tools could not be exported overseas and this sanction is still available.

2. The significance of North Korean technology for CNC

As mentioned previously, CNC technology is divided into mechanical processing and automatic control technologies. It is said that currently, North Korea applies CNC technology to machinery factories such as Pyongyang Textile Machine Factory, Guseong Machine Tool Factory, Ganggye Tractor Factory, Yongseong Machine Complex, and Taean Heavy Machine Complex.

Additionally, CNC technology for automatic control has been introduced to sweets and food manufacturing bases such as Pyongyang Goksan Factory and Pyongyang Flour Processing Factory. This has removed manual labor and many companies have realized the potential of CNC processing to increase production.  Chollima Steel Complex realized CNC application reaching 10,000 tons in press.

The significance lies in that North Korea has represented CNC technology as a symbol to break free from US economic sanctions, and as a hope for independent rehabilitation.  North Korea, the subject of US economic sanctions for several decades, has independently developed the world’s most advanced technology in defiance of such sanctions and is now seeking practical gains to contribute to the improvement of its people by introducing advanced technologies to overall industries. North Korea aims to break away from US economic sanctions and become an economically sound country, as it aims to become a “powerful country” in 2012, at the100th anniversary of Kim Il-sung. The significance of development of CNC technology is that North Korean power production is gradually stabilized.

As for machine tools, the precision level of machines is important but power shall be steadily supplied for precise processing. Documentation released by the Ministry of Unification tell that North Korea has developed ‘about 1,000 small and medium-sized power plants in 1999, 130 in 2000, 80 in 2001, 40 in 2002 and several tens in 2003. The urge to build various small and medium-sized power plants for power supply seems to have contributed to solving the power shortage, leading to stable power supply sustaining the processing of machine tools. (Of course, stable power supply does not mean that the power status has changed to provide power to all areas of its society and economy sufficiently. The fact that North Korea aims to construct a light-water reactor via uranium enrichment technology implies that it has not solved the power problem fundamentally as well as its potential demand.)

Choi Sung, Professor of Computer Science at Namseoul University

The development of CNC technology also provides an aspect of the future society promoted by North Korea. In North Korea, companies try to secure CNC as can be seen from the examples such as CNC application to super-large machine tools at Taean Heavy Machine Complex and CNC application to Vinalon-manufacture processes at 2.8 Vinalon Complex. The ultimate aim is to integrate and automate all manufacturing processes, reduce physical labor, and finally accomplish unmanned manufacturing.

Hence, North Korean technology for CNC has reached the world-class level and is applied to its light industry and agriculture. North Korea says “we will revive our economy neoterically based on the most advanced science and technology rather than patching up insufficiency.” How North Korean economy will change via the advanced science and technology and what roles North Korean CNC technology will play in the process deserve our attention.

http://www.koreaittimes.com/story/19301/north-korean-precision-manufacturing-develops-computer-numerical-control-cnc

Most U.S. shops take for granted the quality and reliability of their electric power, though some regions have inescapable power fluctuations and outages. Operating CNC machine tools in an area like this spotlights how well a machine control handles a power hiccup – can the CNC recover quickly or does it forget what planet it’s on? Jerry Gilara, Director of Continuous Improvement, and his maintenance team at Helac Corporation in Enumclaw, WA, knew the answer for an older workhorse vertical turning center the company relied on. Built in 1998, the MAG VTC – critical to the company’s production – experienced significant downtime with every power hiccup. “This is a rock-solid, very capable machine, but its older CNC and DC drives/motors were an Achilles heel,” Gilara explains. “We’ve always been pleased with the machine, so we had MAG retrofit a new Fanuc CNC and AC digital axis drives/motors and spindle. The retrofit transformed the machine, making it utterly reliable and giving us other advantages because of the widespread use of Fanuc controls in our shop.”

Helac’s main product line is helical hydraulic rotary actuators, a clever device that translates linear piston movement into rotary motion. Extremely compact, the Helac actuator produces high torque with high load bearing capacity, making it ideal as a positioner or steering component for mobile construction equipment, forklifts, aerial platforms, utility vehicles, agricultural equipment, marine applications, etc. The actuators provide swing, steering, head rotation, articulation and similar capabilities, with drift-free, brakeless positioning, and protection from overload conditions. The device is covered by many patents and has been adapted and sized for numerous applications.

.Gilara says a significant percentage of Helac’s parts pass across the MAG VTC, a 36″, fixed-height, 2-axis machine. The machine does heavy metal removal on the tube-shaped housings used for many actuator models, utilizing a 3-pallet pool of queued work to stay in production during much of the plant’s 80+ hour workweek. Several hundred different part numbers are involved, made of DOM tubing and alloy steel, weighing 60 lb to 500 lb. The tube style parts have welded steel flanges on each end and some have off-center plates on the sides. “We mount these on an angle plate that has half-rounds to locate off the OD of the tube,” Gilara explains. “We bore the part completely in one shot from the top, with tolerances of 0.001″. Then we face two parallel surfaces so everything is concentric. We do all the machining from one end, using a 250 lb boring bar with a CAT 60 taper, which is a primary reason we purchased this machine. We have a backup machine for this work, but that machine is what caused us to purchase the MAG unit. When our primary machine is down, we’re quite unhappy, because parts aren’t moving through production.”

With power quality often in question due to wind conditions in this region of Washington, the machine’s control often lost its memory during brief power outages. “Every time the power hiccupped, the control would lose memory, even with an outage of just a minute, and it could take a day or two to reload all the programs,” Gilara explains. “If it happened on second shift when no maintenance people were available, the machine might sit idle until morning before someone could work on it. The CNC hardware and DC drives had become liabilities, too.”

Helac discussed a retrofit of the CNC and drives/motors with MAG in 2009, and the new hardware – a Fanuc 0iTD CNC, AC spindle, servo drives and motors – was installed in 2010. MAG uses pre-engineered, modular retrofit packages with pre-built panels. This modular approach allows economical retrofit of just the CNC, or the CNC with servos, spindle drive and motors – at different times, if needed, to spread out the budgeting.

“Our power quality issues have become non-issues since the retrofit,” Gilara says. “We went through an entire winter without a problem. And, the similarity of the Fanuc control to others in our shop has given us advantages in programming and training. We can now post process to a Fanuc file, like the rest of the machines in our plant, and operators familiar with other machines in our plant can migrate to this machine with less training. The faster data handling of the new control also yields improvements in finish. Given this machine’s workhorse capability, accuracy and repeatability, the retrofit has proved a cost-effective investment.”

MAG offers pre-engineered retrofit kits for many models of its legacy brand VTLs, HBMs, lathes, HMCs, VTCs and 5-axis machines, utilizing Fanuc, Fagor and Siemens control solutions.

http://www.onlineamd.com/aerospace-manufacturing-MAG-vtc-servos-amd-010512.aspx

Fire crews responded to a possible appliance fire Wednesday evening at Seelye Craftsmen Co. on Fernbrook Lane in Plymouth.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke tonight when they entered the Seelye Craftsmen Co. on Fernbrook Lane in Plymouth.

The call came into dispatch at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday of a possible appliance fire at a business. When Plymouth Fire Department and emergency responders arrived at Seelye they found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building.

“A laser-cutting type of machine had caught on fire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kip Springer. “When we encountered the heavy smoke, the call was upgraded and we received mutual aid from Minnetonka and Wayzata.”

The mutual aid from Wayzata was canceled en route after crews were able to kill the power to the machine and extinguish the fire, Springer said.

There were no injuries and any damage is not yet known. Springer said damage was mainly limited to the machine and the area immediately around it.

At 7 p.m. crews were still on the scene clearing out the smoke. There were 25 emergency responders who responded to the incident, including one ambulance.

It is not known how many employees or people were in the building at the time of the incident or how the fire occurred. Patch was unable to reach a representative with the company Wednesday evening.

According to the company’s website, ?Seelye Craftsmen Co?. is a precision metal fabricator serving many Fortune 500 companies and more than 400 customers in different industries. The company uses a variety of machines and processes such as laser cutting, cnc forming, panel forming, cnc punching, machining, welding, and finishing. Seelye Craftsmen Co. has 34,300 square feet of manufacturing space, 4,000 square feet of office space and employs 70 working two shifts.

http://plymouth-mn.patch.com/articles/machine-catches-fire-at-plymouth-business

In this special year-end collaboration, TED and The Huffington Post are excited to count down 18 great ideas of 2011, featuring the full TEDTalk with original blog posts that we think will shape 2012. Watch, engage and share these groundbreaking ideas as they are unveiled one-by-one, including never-seen-before TEDTalk premieres. Standby, the countdown is underway!
Watch Open Source Ecology Founder Marcin Jakubowski discuss the prospects for an open source, do it yourself civilization. Then read Isaiah Saxon’s follow-up blog post on that idea below.

Our species is defined by our relationship to machines — the countless “extensions of man” which now completely encase our lives. The particulars of this relationship — the quality and style and outcomes — are of utmost importance to everyone. So far, the general story is that over the last 10,000 years we’ve increased specialization, scale, and efficiency, which has led to an abundance of nearly everything. Some places have missed out, but, we are told, its only a matter of time before everyone lives longer, wealthier lives. In another TED Talk, Matt Ridley has correctly made this argument for specialization, owing much to the original essay, I Pencil, by Leonard E. Read.

However, there is a growing desire around the world to fundamentally remix this relationship with machines and specialization — to increase access, engagement, and understanding. This movement wants to put people at the center — to both democratize and demystify technology. Some in this movement are fueled by necessity, while others are uncomfortable with passive consumption, while others seek out fun. The DIY ethic unites them. Their banner is OSAT — open source appropriate technology.

The most idealistic, defiant, and ambitious project among this movement is being led by a group called Open Source Ecology. This scattered network of engineers, farmers and supporters is working to build the Global Village Construction Set — a modular, DIY, low-cost, open source, high performance platform that allows for the easy fabrication of the 50 different industrial machines that it takes to build a small, sustainable civilization with modern comforts. Wow, that’s a big sentence.

Their primary aim is to lower the barriers-to-entry into farming, building, and manufacturing. They are crazy, naive, and headstrong — but they may succeed, and the implications would be incredible.

So far, they’ve prototyped 8 of the 50 Machines — the tractor, drill press, soil pulverizer, torch table, hydraulic power unit, compressed earth brick press, walk-behind tractor, and 150-ton hole puncher. Along the way, they’ve been publishing the designs and instructions on their wiki. They’ve been financially supported by the crowd. A growing base of more than 400 “true fans” pays a small amount every month, and their recently successful Kickstarter campaign will help to build a 5k sq. ft. fabrication training facility at OSE’s rural Missouri headquarters.

OSE’s next step in 2012 is to build the next 8 prototypes of the GVCS — and they’re focusing exclusively on fabrication tools. This “Open Source Microfactory” would make it possible to transform scrap metal into the products of advanced civilization. Right now, to build one of the GVCS machines, you need to order parts online, but the Microfactory would enable DIY production of a majority of those components — including ball bearings, hydraulic motors, electrical generators, microcontrollers, nuts and bolts, and steel tubing. The lineup of the Microfactory looks like this: CNC Multimachine, CNC Circuit Mill/3d Printer, Induction Furnace, Ironworker, CNC Torch Table, Universal Welder, CNC Lasercutter, Hot Metal Roller.

The science fiction author Robert Heinlein once said “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” This exuberant version of humanness is visible in OSE’s founder and director, Marcin Jakubowski. He’s a Princeton graduate and earned a Phd in fusion energy, yet he spends his time in the muddy trenches of a cold farm in the middle of nowhere — fabricating, farming, and building. He’s thrown his whole body at this project in a way that some see as courageous, others as unyielding.

In Missouri, Marcin leads research, prototyping and testing of the machines. It’s a constant adventure, being displayed on OSE’s blog. However, the whole point is to share the instructions, and they’ve got to be comprehensive. So, for every machine they build, OSE is publishing an online library that includes pretty much everything — the design rationale, 3d CAD files, 2d fabrication drawings, circuit board design files, wiring diagrams, machine-readable CAM files, exploded parts diagrams, CAE analysis, step-by-step videos, control codes for automated devices, scaling calcations, the physics of why it works, and the performance and cost analysis vs. industry standards. They’re also promising a user manual that will include the operation procedures, safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.

There’s a lot of activity in this space. Groups such as Practical Action, Appropedia, and Howtopedia all provide instructional knowledge repositories. Recently, a new gold standard for the “how to” genre was released by two Swedish designers — taking a cue from IKEA. Their instructions for a pedal-powered industrial juicer are able to transcend language barriers through pictograms — enabling semi-literate engineers in Kenya’s informal maker economy. In the states, Farm Hack is working to publish improvised solutions useful to young farmers. Lasersaur, DIYLILCNC, Reprap, and others are all sharing plans and promoting a culture of Open Hardware — not to mention the resurgence of consumer kits.

The GVCS is distinguished from these projects in that it seeks to create an entirely new, integrated ecology of machines. Their thinking is that we can’t always rely on fixing old stuff, and old stuff is different wherever you go. Decisions regarding which machines to include in the GVCS are made using a rigorous selection matrix that skews towards robust utility and the fulfillment of necessities. Their design methodology emphasizes user serviceability and heirloom strength. Remember, its the 50 machines that it takes to build civilization from scratch and scrap.

A lot of people think this is ridiculous and overly ambitious. It is. It’s a big, hairy, audacious goal. Frankly, they’ll need way more help if it’s going to happen — more project managers and more full-time leaders like Marcin. Ironically, their first sign of real success might be to see the plans being used in cheap Chinese factories. Whatever happens, I think there’s a lot being discovered by this project. Can people from all over the world come together over the internet to recreate their relationship to industrial machines? We shall see.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/wiki-diy-civilization_n_1157895.html?ref=technology