3D printing update.
Wiring survey.
'No-mans-land' switching investigation.
Plug and socket order.
Stephen had been disappointed with the balusters and had suggested that larger versions might be more successful, so Geoff had scaled them up and run off another set. The size looked much better, but the surface finish was still poor, so a 'thinner slice factor' was applied and a new print run started. We all adjourned to the workshop.
The End board was set up with the control panel and loom, and continuity testing carried out to establish all required information. We found a pin was missing, reducing it to an 11 pin plug, a spare wire in the loom that was unattached at both ends and there was an unused pin. Finally, the siding had two feeds looped-together, but the rail break had also been soldered together. None of us could remember why, but there you are - it's called getting old. The survey was well worth doing.
We then looked at creating a shopping list for the plugs and sockets we would need. After reviewing the track diagrams, a list was prepared and we went indoors for lunch. The new baluster print had finished, but the support structure would have to be removed before viewing the items. However, we weren't very hopeful. Geoff suggested that making up a tool and turning-up such items was probably a better option. Stephen could also split the unit, making the overhanging cap a separate piece, saving the upper support.
We then went online to assemble our shopping basket of Cinch plugs and sockets. Even with free postage, it came to £60. We then reasoned that the Adaptor boards didn't need 8-way connectors, and cheaper 4/5-way phono plugs would be perfectly suitable. However, as these would come from another supplier, it invoked P&P for the cinch units. We left it to Geoff to sort it out.
Back in the workshop, Stephen's fixation on how to allow operators on the Main and Local panels to share control of the inner and outer tracks on boards #2 and #3 was finally understood. However, Stephen's previous electrical solution using relays and wiring based on staircase light switching was dismissed as it didn't have an off position. Instead, Geoff's idea of using two rotary DPDT switches operated by rods extending to both operating areas was voted in despite it needing the operators to go to the shelving unit to make the switch-overs. We'll have to see how the arrangement works in due course.
The first run on the left had very obvious layer lines, but the second batch on the right will need to be removed from their support casing to see the final result. The top half of the support can be obviated by having the overhanging top pad printed separately, which Stephen will investigate.
