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another rcm

R

rally

Member
After much research and redesign I have finally completed my RCM.:banana:
ala Keith Monks/Loricraft
The parts are mostly re-purposed:
The platter is powered by a motor from a bread machine
it is running at approx. 80 rpm it is coupled to the
platter with some rubber wheels from a HP printer.
A pioneer pl-300 was used for the platter and the basis for the suction arm.
The suction arm is magnetically coupled and power is from a 1rpm motor.
The vacuum pump is an oil filled refrigeration mechanics service tool, it is
a slight overkill but was free!
The brush is for a Loricraft and the fluid is delivered via a 12v univ. windshield washer pump.
There is a small amount of moisture left on the record after cleaning,
which is due to the suction arm moving a little too quickly. It takes about
40-45 seconds. I thank all of those that helpfully provided information and
inspiration along the way. It sure has been a learning experience and very
challenging:headscrat at times.
 

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thanks a lot for the kind words, I did not do a great job of documenting the process. The pictures that I did take along the way have too much background 'noise' for web-use...
 
Well you might be able to help some folks by giving some close ups of things like the coupling of the motor to the platter. I have been slowly accumilating bits and pieces to assemble one myself. Haven't decided on the nature ie VPI or Loricraft in nature or something else altogether.
 
I located a picture with a mock up of the bread maker motor plate and the
belt/pulley etc. this was to get an idea of how things sit in relation to each other.
The motor plate has a spring to provide tension, which was an afterthought.
The rubber printer wheels are simply bolted to the pulley, the platter bearing is housed in a short section of tube, which is bolted securely.
The platter base is epoxied to a piece of 4" abs transition, this gives the
final rpm with enough torque.
Some elements are overbuilt for sure - but beats having it self destruct due to under building, the whole thing weighs about 75 lbs.
 

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Rcm update:

I have replaced the vacumn pump with something much more suitable, it is oil less and a quieter unit, nevermind the oil vapourizing!
The windshield washer pump is not working out, I have replaced this twice now and am having issues
with the pvc tubing that is in permanent contact with the alcohol solution.
The silicone caulking for sealing connections air / fluid tight fails over time.
I have switched this to Seal All where practical and this is working better - so far.

Are there any suggestions for an alternate pump to use? short of an automotive fuel pump
for running alcohol - I may just stick with applying the cleaning solution manually...
There are a couple of things I would change but otherwise am satisfied with the results, getting the vacumn pressure
is tricky there is a small tolerance - as the suction pressure can override the torque of the 1 rpm arm drive motor.
 
I am not that exact with the mixing ~ 1/4 - 99% alcohol, 3/4 - distilled water & a few drops of photoflow
 
Hmmm, washer pumps are very used to water and alcohol. Is it continuously submersed in fluid? They usually are. Maybe using actual windshield washer tube would solve the plumbing issue. An automotive fuel pump would be massive overkill and would hate the water.
 
rally said:
Rcm update:

I have replaced the vacumn pump with something much more suitable, it is oil less and a quieter unit, nevermind the oil vapourizing!
The windshield washer pump is not working out, I have replaced this twice now and am having issues
with the pvc tubing that is in permanent contact with the alcohol solution.
The silicone caulking for sealing connections air / fluid tight fails over time.
I have switched this to Seal All where practical and this is working better - so far.

Are there any suggestions for an alternate pump to use? short of an automotive fuel pump
for running alcohol - I may just stick with applying the cleaning solution manually...
There are a couple of things I would change but otherwise am satisfied with the results, getting the vacumn pressure
is tricky there is a small tolerance - as the suction pressure can override the torque of the 1 rpm arm drive motor.
Click to expand...

You could have a glass line made by a glass blower but I am unsure how many twists and turns are in your set up and clearly the more there are the harder (more expensive)it is to make the glass. Look for neon sign makers for help with this (http://www.neonmfg.com/custom/ google search turned up these guys easy enough), or better yet I would look into a different cleaning solution.
 
I hadn't realized the number of cleaning fluid options, I have a lot of the isopropyl alcohol still and will not
explore fluid alternatives until I run out, but this may make the most sense.

It has been over 5 years since the original construction and I haven't kept up on all of the developments in the world of Diy Rcm's,
I am just happy the contraption still works!

The windshield washer pump is a low cost after market type and is fussy about being primed.
This is my main issue to resolve - the pvc tubing works well enough, it is more the connections as
there aren't off the shelf fittings for the cobbled nature of the whole affair.
This is where the failing silicone sealant comes in to play.

Getting glass custom made is something I did not think of.
It would not really suit my purpose however as the fluid reservoir is attached to the access door and
the connection needs to remain flexible.
As an afterthought a gravity feed system with a valve might be a way to go.
It would be cumbersome and unsightly though - it has to look cool too, right?
 
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