Boca Bearing Workshop Station

We had a workshop area in our warehouse, but we wanted something better. And we got it. 

Thanks to our friends at Your Garage Organizer (www.yourgarageorganizer.com) based out of Dania Beach, FL, we have a top-of-the-line new workshop that everyone at Boca Bearings likes. 

Moris Almog, their senior planner and designer, was easy to work with to set up a workshop design that fitted not only our need, but our area in the warehouse. His team did a great job in the installation makeover -- putting together the parts, drawers and cabinets for what is an outstanding workshop station. Everything came out spacious and neatly organized.


Your Garage Organizer is a company that can accommodate designs from home garages to office space organizers, industrial companies and more.


But let some of these photos tell the story itself.

BEFORE

AFTER

Boca Build 2.0 Geared Sliding Puzzle Part 3: Fabrication Details

I used the measurements off of the two aluminum handles I made earlier to create 13 more.

The parts that get glued in the wooden panels are the same for all 15 panels. .389" x .4" (high) shoulder for the Boca bearing to sit on and a 1" x .25" plug that is sandwiched between the wooden panels.

DIY Stunt Wire System -- Part 2

Things are getting exciting! We've successfully built the first prototype stunt wire system with upgraded bearings from Boca Bearings! Assembly was quite easy, and we were off to the races to test this wacky contraption!

For our first test we used 55 lb weights on either side. Our test pilot, Ian, weighs 145lbs -- which means with the system in place -- he only weighs 35lbs! That's basically what you would weigh on the moon!

While the system worked, the harness was quite uncomfortable, so for the next part we'll be investing in some proper harnesses designed for bungee jumping. But during the testing we had some pretty funny moments, take a look at the blooper reel:

Stay tuned for the next update when we work out some of these kinks and improve the system!

James H.

August 26, 2015

DIY Stunt Wire System -- Part 1

Love action movies? Wish that you too could leap tall buildings in a single bound?

For actors and stuntmen, it’s literally a day job. But for the average person, the closest you can get to feeling like a super hero is bouncing on a trampoline, going bungee jumping, or playing around in a gymnastics club.

But that's no fun!

But if you have enough ceiling space, we can show you how to make your very own stunt wire system! You too can feel weightless, see what it's like to walk on the moon, do a double or even TRIPLE back flip ... The possibilities are endless.

What is needed:

Kevlar rope -- recommend 3 mm diameter (2000 lb load capacity)
Low Friction Pulleys -- we made our own using grooved ball bearings from Boca Bearings Regular pulley housing -- some kind of harness, preferably bungee
Weights

Estimated cost is around $250-500 depending on material sourcing.

James Hobson

Vintage Tool Box 3D Printed: Follow-up

This posting will cover troubleshooting, unpacking set up and shipping the tool box 3D printer for Boca Bearing. It is very similar to a Prusa, running on Pronterface and using Slicer to generate the G-code.

I have created configurations for Slicer that contain all the setting I have been using for my prints in PLA. Once the an STL file is loaded in Slicer and the proper settings are selected, the G-code is exported to be used in Pronterface.

Here, the printer is connected, the G-code is opened and settings such as the extruder temperature are determined. Once this is done, we print.

Here, I will show how to pack and unpack the toolbox for daily use. The spool holder, spool and power supply all fit into the toolbox for transportation.

This video discusses some tips for printing in PLA on the tool box 3D printer. I usually start things hot so the first layer sticks, then things get dropped down to around 190.

For shipping, the spool, spool holder and power supply are shipped separately to avoid things smashing around during shipping. The tool box is bolted to a board that is the floor of the crate. This board is supported by 6 springs that lie between this board and the very bottom of the crate to help absorb some of the shock from the truck.

Here is the last shot of the printer as it is sent off to Boca Bearing.

Chad B.

August 19, 2015

Boca Build 2.0 Geared Sliding Puzzle Part 2: Fabrication

This is the second (of 3) posts for my most recent project with Boca Bearing of Florida. The sliding puzzle is in the last stages of design and at the beginning stages of fabrication.

While not all the details are complete, the design for the pins and handle for moving the cogs is finished. This has been the biggest challenge and I will continue onto the full fabrication of a cogged panel. If it works, then I will duplicate the fabrication for everything.

The pins are machined from a piece of round stock aluminum I pulled from the dumpster at school. When they hired someone to put handles on the gallery doors, these were the left over pieces that were tossed in the trash (there were at least 4 of them). I use a machinist or drill press vice to hold the round stock because it will twist in my fingers.

The Drone Scene in South Florida

The drone phenomenon is here to stay. That's what the indication is as noted at a recent informative meeting held by the South Florida Drone Group at the HackLab in Boynton Beach, Florida in August.

The Boca Bearing Company, who supports the group and the drone industry among other technological and mechanical industries, was invited to attend this meeting -- one that had a very good membership turnout which currently is 84-strong and growing.

The meeting was organized by founder Marc Asselin, who has formed the AMA (Association of Model Aeronautics) Charter group called the South Florida Flying Club. The group was created to facilitate the use of approved flying parks in the area.

The first park the club is in talks about with the city of Boynton Beach to have access to is the Ezell Hester, Jr. Community Park, a location that offers two outdoor flying areas for drones and RC helicopters and one indoor flying area for FPV and aerial GP racing.