December 2024 Contest

[Dee2]

December 2024 Contest

This one is different. It is time for a new stand and mobility design for the NCWoodworkers.net lathes.

The NCWoodworker.net forum has 3 Rikon 70-220VSR lathes that are used for teaching and outreach. The lathes are kept on the trailer and are taken to a site where they are pulled from the trailer, staged, and used for events like the Extravaganza.

Here’s a link to pictures of the current lathe stands as shown stored in the trailer: Outreach trailer interior makeover

The manual/specs for the lathes are in the attached file.

The lathes are mounted on stands developed by NC Woodworker members for mobility to and from the trailer and stability when the lathes are in use. Mobility is facilitated by a system of 2 wheels at one end and a simple dolly at the other.

The current stands have on occasion been tippy during movement due to a high center of gravity, narrow wheelbase, and a tricycle wheel arrangement. On a couple of occasions, the lathes have actually fallen over during movement with resulting damage.

Design Constraints:

• Height adjustment is needed as the lathes are used by adolescents and adults during outreach events. Usually, the lathe heights are set and left during an event.
• The lathe and stands must minimize utilized trailer floor space for storage and transport. Nesting minimizes the floor space as well as stacking or vertical storage. However lifting requirements must be minimized or mechanically assisted.
• The stands must provide a stable workstation during use.
• Tool storage is provided by a separate table and is not required as part of the lathe stand. On-board tooling storage is not precluded, however.
• Lathe stands must be tip-resistant (or tip minimization) during lathe movement on flat flooring and on and off the trailer. Note the trailer lift gate ramp is an ~17 degree incline.
• Lathe stand material of construction is preferred to be wood. Alternatives are permitted.
• Considerations for minimizing costs is expected.
• Design modifications to the existing stands are acceptable entries for the contest.
• Looking for sufficient design content to prototype the solution. Sketches expected.

Entries should be posted with sufficient design details/content to enable a prototype build. Sketches are expected.

This is an unsponsored contest. The winning design will be selected by the board. The board reserves the right to combine design content from multiple entries to enhance the final design.

For contest purposes, design entries must be entered by CoB 12/31.

Also, if you want to enter a design privately, post in this thread only that you have submitted a design and then DM/PM the design to me.

What’s your design?

 

[Henry W]

There are some decent design criteria there.
Are the 'occasional' "tippy during movements due to a high center of gravity, narrow wheelbase, and a tricycle wheel arrangement" the primary issue to be solved? I take it that in use the current stand are functional, but in transport the issues manifest. Is that accurate?

 

[Berta]

In transport includes putting in on and off the trailer. This is done by volunteers. They really need to be more stable for Setting up and putting away.

 

[Mike Davis]

I never had a problem moving the lathes alone but inexperienced helpers trying the same have moved too quickly or turned too sharply and tipped over the stand. The lathes are too heavy to simply set off the stand while moving. Some very easy lift system that would lower the center of gravity could be the answer. Wider wheel placement would stabilize during movement but would hinder storage and getting in and out of the trailer.

 

[Henry W]

Simplest solution might be to add a temporary anti-tip stabilizer bar during transport. I'd envision this mounted very low across the base to widen it; 3/4" pipe or dowel 2-3' longer than the base is wide, slid into a few brackets mounted very low on the non-wheeled side might work. Keeping that in place might need a pin on one side and through caribiner or something like that on the other side (to avoid side to side movement). Provide an anti-tip solution and not change the usable stand at all.

Just ideas for fodder.

 

[Dee2]

Design modifications to the existing stands are acceptable entries for the contest. Looking for sufficient design content to prototype the solution. Sketches expected.

Adding to the original post.

 

[Dee2]

There are some decent design criteria there.
Are the 'occasional' "tippy during movements due to a high center of gravity, narrow wheelbase, and a tricycle wheel arrangement" the primary issue to be solved? I take it that in use the current stand are functional, but in transport the issues manifest. Is that accurate?

Yes, tippiness is the prime issue to be resolved. Close(r) packed during storage and transport would be secondary.

 

[Mountain City Bill]

December 2024 Contest

This one is different. It is time for a new stand and mobility design for the NCWoodworkers.net lathes.

The NCWoodworker.net forum has 3 Rikon 70-220VSR lathes that are used for teaching and outreach. The lathes are kept on the trailer and are taken to a site where they are pulled from the trailer, staged, and used for events like the Extravaganza.

Here’s a link to pictures of the current lathe stands as shown stored in the trailer: Outreach trailer interior makeover

The manual/specs for the lathes are in the attached file.

The lathes are mounted on stands developed by NC Woodworker members for mobility to and from the trailer and stability when the lathes are in use. Mobility is facilitated by a system of 2 wheels at one end and a simple dolly at the other.

The current stands have on occasion been tippy during movement due to a high center of gravity, narrow wheelbase, and a tricycle wheel arrangement. On a couple of occasions, the lathes have actually fallen over during movement with resulting damage.

Design Constraints:

• Height adjustment is needed as the lathes are used by adolescents and adults during outreach events. Usually, the lathe heights are set and left during an event.
• The lathe and stands must minimize utilized trailer floor space for storage and transport. Nesting minimizes the floor space as well as stacking or vertical storage. However lifting requirements must be minimized or mechanically assisted.
• The stands must provide a stable workstation during use.
• Tool storage is provided by a separate table and is not required as part of the lathe stand. On-board tooling storage is not precluded, however.
• Lathe stands must be tip-resistant (or tip minimization) during lathe movement on flat flooring and on and off the trailer. Note the trailer lift gate ramp is an ~17 degree incline.
• Lathe stand material of construction is preferred to be wood. Alternatives are permitted.
• Considerations for minimizing costs is expected.
• Design modifications to the existing stands are acceptable entries for the contest.
• Looking for sufficient design content to prototype the solution. Sketches expected.

Entries should be posted with sufficient design details/content to enable a prototype build. Sketches are expected.

This is an unsponsored contest. The winning design will be selected by the board. The board reserves the right to combine design content from multiple entries to enhance the final design.

What’s your design?

 

[Mountain City Bill]

What spindle height would be comfortable for an adolescent?

 

[Dee2]

What spindle height would be comfortable for an adolescent?

After a couple of hours searching...

From Google AI: adolescent elbow height:

• Range: 37 - 47 inches
• Average: 41 inches
• Factors affecting height: Gender, individual body size

From Sarambekkar, H. and Adman, S. (2011). Anthropometric Measurements of Teenagers Asian J. Home Sci. 6(2), 169-173. The range of elbow heights is 31-43 inches.

We do have an ~8" high stand for the younger set and vertically challenged adults. There is also a judgment that each of our "teachers" use of whether an adolescent meets a minimum height.

My personal experience for my 11 yr old grandson was standing two 8" cement blocks. My spindle center is set at ~46".

Recommendation: Don't overthink this. The final design can be tuned in practice.

 

[JNCarr]

Great contest. Looking forward to giving it some thought.

 

[Wilsoncb]

• The lathe and stands must minimize utilized trailer floor space for storage and transport. Nesting minimizes the floor space as well as stacking or vertical storage. However lifting requirements must be minimized or mechanically assisted.

What is the current footprint? Or, what is the maximum footprint?

Is the trailer available to see the existing setup? For example, I see the unit weighs 110 lbs, but I suspect 75% of the weight is on the motor side? You don’t really know how to manage the weight without first trying to move the existing units. I’m sure we can get some great ideas based on the criteria but I think there is a lot of value in seeing and understanding the situation first hand.

 

[Mrfixit71]

This is the current stand.

Dee2 adds: Red knobs are used to adjust the lathe spindle center line. That black piece under the lathe is the "stationary" wheels bracket that clamps to the upright opposite the dolly.

 

[Wilsoncb]

It looks like space in the trailer is the enemy. The current system looks pretty good with the exception of the dolly situation. I’m sure there is an elaborate way to fix this with a scissor lift or mechanical contraption, but that equates to time and money.

My suggestion is to evolve the current system. I think it could be done by permanently attaching locking casters under the current feet. Since there doesn’t appear to be any room to add them on the inside or outside of the feet, they would have to go under them. We would have to cut down the stand vertical members the same height as the castors. Then attached the casters under them, probably offset whatever direction that would still allow nesting. Attached are two examples of casters. One has larger diameter wheels and a wheel AND swivel lock. I have used these and they work fine as long as you turn the wheels all to the outside before locking them. The 4” diameter wheels are nice for rolling over cracks or other things. The other has smaller wheels but a more stable lock. We might just have to try both to see which works better.

 

[Mike Davis]

I think the wheels need to be bigger to go on grass and rocks when we set up outside.

 

[Dee2]

This is the current stand.
View attachment 233126

Thanks Rich

 

[Dee2]

About 2:00 AM today, I realized the contest needs a bit of integrity control. If you prefer not to share your ideas publicly during the contest period, post an entry in this thread that you have submitted a design concept and DM me with the design. I'll share the design with the board when the contest ends Dec 31.

 

[Dee2]

Please, out of respect for posted entries, withhold design critiques from this thread. The board may request design reviews after the contest period ends. Thank you in advance.

 

[Dee2]

What is the current footprint? Or, what is the maximum footprint? nIs the trailer available to see the existing setup?

I'm checking on access to the trailer.

 

[bowman]

Could we get a short video of moving one lathe from the trailer? Is anything available from extravaganza?