[chbot] Robotics Group meeting, Monday 18 Octr 2021, 630pm, 5 Idris Road

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Good turnout with 28 attendees, and lots of huddles-of tech-talk. $40 + 
change (in gold, and flat-money) collected and transferred into the 
robotics loose-change jar (for later banking).

All sales from the trading table should go into the brown box on the 
wall, and are directly for the benefit of our host club, NZART Branch 05.

Equipment donations are welcome for the trading table, but no CRT based 
product, printers, toner or items that are likely to be a disposal burden.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

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Mark started the evening talking about his effort commissioning the 
first-article EHT power supply (the design of which had been discussed 
that the previous meeting). He also passed around some oddments 
including a SPDT water valve, with wax-motor actuator, a right angle 
Schrader valve, and a well designed mirror mount.

William brought in and discussed upgrades he has been doing to his ‘286 
“laptop”, including the ‘287 co-processor.

Andrew brought in and discussed a PCR automation jig he had been working 
on, in conjunction with a physician in Zurich.

Michael talked about his efforts designing a 3kW electric furnace, along 
with some of the trials and tribulations. He also powered up a (medium 
power) air-plasma source which was able to melt copper in air (!).

Graham brought along a steel pendant-mold he fabricated for Molten 
Media. Item had been made using spark-erosion from a graphite positive. 
Most impressive.

Robin talked about his adventures building a Rocket-Mass Heater. Also an 
autopsy of the project. Most interesting. He also talked about a 
diamagnetic piece he found while repairing and rebuilding a small 
weather station.

Synco talked about a cascaded power supply he has owned for a while. 
Unit is capable of delivering around 60V at 12A, and features current 
limit and a USB interface.