Square Table Discussions

 My car, a 1960 Falcon, was burning oil.  I checked my oil for glitter; I replaced my PCV valve; I performed wet and dry compression tests; I performed a leak down test.  All these tests pointed to a strong engine.  The Falcon burned oil.  The only thing left was my valve stem seals. I do not have a compressor big enough to get a valve seal replaced before dropping a valve.  So, I decided to take the head off to replace the valve seals.  I am glad I did. This engine has had many hands in it over the years.  I'm pretty sure the valve seals are a couple decades old.  I have been informed by past mechanics that the valve train parts were incorrect.  Apparently, they never got it right.  My valve stem retainers left a burr on some of the valves.  I also noticed a little play in the first valve guide.  I am not sure what the tolerance on valve guides is, but I do not have the tools to replace a valve guide.  So, I decided to take this head to an automotive machinist. Here are some some

     I won't be able to use this for a bill of materials. But at least I will be able to count the number of facets.  For now this is good enough.  Trouble is all the corners on this model are planar.  If I start doing more complicated shapes the complexity will start to get frustrating.  :/      It's time to start modeling the actual exhaust.  3D scanning, here I come.

       So, the other day,  I'm working on this pie cut problem.  So far, I can print hundreds of these  degreed pie cuts assemble them into a manifold and retrieve the data to create a 3d file which represents the mock up that I have made.  But, what if, I wanted to draw up a 3d file which represented a possible manifold configuration, and then print exactly the number of pie cuts to create that specific item.   Work Flow: Method #1 Print hundreds of various pie cuts --> Build a mockup  -->  Test a mock up -->  Build a new mockup ...  -->  Convert mock up to 3d file  --> ????  --> Profit. OR Method #2 Create a 3d file  -->  Print Exactly the pieces required by mockup  -->  Test mock up  --> Adjust 3d file... --> Print difference of pieces  --> ???? --> Profit.      Both of these workflows are useful.  But from a Solidworks perspective the first method is much easier to accomplish.  And from a time use perspective the second method saves valuable

I have posted all the .STL files for printing these pie cuts on thingiverse.   https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5377170 I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I am not the only one who had this idea.  Both hakdat and Joe46 got the idea before I did. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2306034 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5161351

 Let a new tale begin.