a couple printed widgets

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 sensor mount

I received a sensor today from Amploc. the dimensions differ from the spec sheet. the height is 80 mils shorter than listed and the diameters were off by up to 20 mils. the connector is goofy, no locking mechanism and doesn't fit well. why do people use this sensor? is there nothing better? perhaps not.

anyway, I had the first mount printed so I loaded it to check fit and function. I will need to adjust some clearances but overall, the function is good except for the connector retention. how to secure it with the wires in place? the connector rides up and the wires will interfere when installing the screw. total weight for this part with sensor installed = 100 grams. screw alignment was perfect.

[A2022]

arm held with 3M dual lock. the plastic base was scuffed for better adhesion. well, it made it 2 years. how long will it last?

dog screw weight = 1.1 lbs

[A2022]

I'll try the other listed connector for this. will require soldering to make it work but the connector must seat fully. a goofy connector. what good is an electrical part if you can't connect it properly? I am disappointed with the connection to this part, and I wonder why I am messing with it. it is probably just because I want to try to print Obsidian, nylon/glass fiber, listed 350F heat deflection temp. the test part I printed for fit check was ASA. I selected silver color for the Obsidian.

[A2022]

custom sized 760 GPS Docks keep rolling... no need to change the hole in the panel.

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 mount... Amploc sent me a connector. seems like it could work. I needed to solder the ends. I use 20 ga wire because that is the only 3 -wire I had. a smaller gauge would be better, but it worked fine. setting some final dimensions for the mount.

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 mount... it makes me smile and I am happy with it. can mount with #8 screws or drill for #10. it's a small part and fits in the palm. printed in ASA but now to try nylon/glass fiber for elevated temp and fuel/oil environment. strain relief for the wire is up to you. 20 ga wire attached but should be 24 ga.

[A2022]

beginning the Obsidian (nylon/glass fiber) trials. I will be primarily at these characteristics: layer adhesion (get to break stuff), filament layer start / stop (oozing), print dimensional accuracy, close to bed effects, angle effects, overall temp and speed effects, etc.

packed in heavy foil with 5 desiccant packages and vacuum sealed. obsidian is more expensive than general filaments.

the surface finish is smoother than I expected and that is nice. smoother than the carbon fiber filaments I have. too early to give any opinion of the material. it's nice that the material is non-conductive unlike carbon fiber filaments.

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 mount... the one on the left is Nylon/Glass Fiber. on the right is ASA. very good fit on both.

the good things about Nylon / Glass Fiber are: very strong, not affected by fuel/oil, high temperature capability. heat deflection temp = 350F but I would limit continuous usage to 250F.

[A2022]

this little canopy release fairing is holding up well to UV exposure in a horizontal position. it's been installed 4 yrs. I am amazed by that. the material is ASA. to use something like this, the canopy should pop open on its own from seal pressure.

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 mount... the dimensions and fit was good, but I wanted to improve the finish. it took some time, but I am happy with the results. it is a small part that fits in the hand. clam shell design. this one is shipping today.

nylon/glass fiber, excellent resistance to fuel and oil, material heat deflection temp = 350F, max use temp = 250F

[rockwoodrv9a]

What is that? It looks nicely made but I have no idea what it is!

[A2022]

it is a mount for a current sensor. the big boys use them to measure current to fuel pumps and other things. the sensor is Hall effect. the green ring is a magnet, and the sensor part is between a slice in the magnet ring. the mount allows for a wire to pass through the center or a small wire can be wrapped around the magnet at the two open slots. I don't know much about these sensors. I'm just the bracket guy. the bracket material is nylon/fiber glass and was new to me. it took me a while to understand how to print it well. difficult to connect to these sensors. this was the best I could do. I'll update the pan head screws to be low profile.

if you monitor current to a device, it may allow you to determine the health of that unit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect

[A2022]

Amploc Key100 mount... low profile washer head screws installed. it is a compact unit. sending a couple more of these out for evaluation.

[A2022]

sometimes you have to stop and repair the computer, RAM died. all good now. this machine has 32Gb.

also, I am upgrading to Cat 6 cables.




**************

swapped out the water heater. tucked it in close to the furnace since I am planning to redo that room next. what does this have to do with 3D printing or aircraft, nothing, but I do not have to worry about it being deleted. I am just proud out it. moved the water, gas and vent lines. FREEDOM! VAF moderators can't reach me.

[A2022]

Obsidian.... nylon/glass fiber material test on an elevator gust lock. I am impressed with this new material. increased strength and ductility. not as smooth as polycarbonate but it may be able to be smoothed slightly. I will test it on my aircraft. this one is 0.098 thick web. keep pushing!

my current polycarbonate gust locks have been fine but always looking to test new available materials. it really is just play.

[A2022]

Obsidian installed, elevator gust lock, left hand side. I tried to scratch my paint with the obsidian gust lock but could not. I removed the left hand side polycarb gust lock and installed obsidian (nylon/glass fiber) as printed, no smoothing. the removed polycarb gust lock is in excellent condition. the rope is becoming weathered after 5 yrs but the gust locks look good.

[A2022]

Amploc Key100, wire evaluation in the hands of a potential user. he cut a slot in the "L" wire connecter retainer bracket. different than the 90-degree connector but seems to work. nice blue paint!

[A2022]

more GPS Docks for El Paso... they just keep shipping down that way, where it's hot. I am starting to think the added ventilation slots are helping.

set up two more printing machines today. need to route power to them.

crank it up!
Way Out West - We Love Machine
https://youtu.be/pX910vSInzA?si=PDH_v76CDq4tu6CG

[A2022]

tested this nylon/fiber glass elevator gust lock for several days in Kansas. seems to have left some red stain.

[A2022]

more 760 GPS Docks... this one is going to Alaska. I send several that way and the reports have been good. these work well in both hot and cold weather, and they are UV resistant.