• Development Team Report / January 2015

    by  • January 20, 2015 • Handibot Labs • 7 Comments

    There have been a number of questions recently about what we are up to. It’s made us appreciate that it would probably be good to start posting a regular progress report and a time-line that lays out target dates for our primary Handibot projects. We’ll shoot for an update report around the middle of every month. Here’s what we’ve been up to:

    Handibot Development Report  /  January 2015 (this one covers the last few months)

    Hardware

    • Tool
      • Working at finalizing production changes and upgrade kits for Version 1.1 enhancements; V1.1 will include a new front panel with better access, backing plates to better lock alignment, new (better protected) proximity switches [the first two items will be available as upgrade kits; also documented and available for DIY] plates
      • Prototyping and testing a number of potential changes in format and footprint for improved tool access, rigidity, work area options, etc… for next version of Handibot
    • Accessories
      • Release of laser sighting accessory sight
      • Continued work on rotary 4th axis (yes, it is coming soon) along with prototyping a manual 4th axis indexing system that will be very affordable and particularly useful in education
      • Finalizing a top enclosure for noise and dust containment (for V1.0 and 1.1)cover
      • Testing low-power “marking” laser
      • Continued work to finalize “Crawler” system; we are specifying this as having 1-3 bays (positions) and a 5 foot track length. This supports a basic work area (with repositioning over the 3 bays) of 2’ x 4’. Track extensions will be available for longer work such as stair stringerscrawler

    Software

    • Apps
      • Cloud “Project” Apps and Ecosystem
        • Prototyping formats for Project AppsHandibot_pictureFrameApp
        • Working on Gallery and Project Ecosystem for Handibot HQHandibot_community    Handibot_ProjectTree
        • Working on App delivery methods for Handibot HQ
      • Onboard “Utility” Apps
        • Initial exploration of some “example” utility apps including “drill press”, “chop saw”, etc
        • App Developer Kit Instructions draft 
    • FabMo Platform & Controls (see Github “handibot” pages to follow in detail)
      • Control Board / SBC
        • Testing all I/O functionality and finalizing board for beta production
      • Dashboard Interface
        • Working with and finalizing look of interface dashboard
        • Developing Javascipt components/modules/gadgets that provide functionality for the Dashboard and can be used as tools/inserts by app developers [see App Developer Kit above]
        • Developing additional Javascript package that will help app developers generate simple shapes and 2D views
        • Improving accessibility from multiple devices
      • Engine
        • Creating job/file management system
        • Working towards highly robust interaction with motion core
        • Creating run-time systems for interaction in g-code and OpenSBP operation and programmability; also supporting wide range of tools and configurations
      • Core Motion System
        • Working with G2 developers in enhancing functionality relevant to our CNC tools in general and Handibot types of application in particular
        • Working on robust installer and firmware upgrade methods

     

    Evolving Timelines for Focal Projects 

                                                                                   Targeted Completion   Targeted Store/Doc Release
    Hardware

    • Version 1.1 Handibot  …………………… Late Feb 2015 …………… Late Feb 2015
    • Acc: Enclosure V1.0 & 1.1 ……………….. Feb 2015  ………………… Feb 2015
    • Acc: Rotary 4th Axis  …………………….. Late Feb 2015  ………….. Late Feb 2015
    • Acc: Crawler (auto tile indexing)  ……… Late Feb 2015  ………….. Late Feb 2015
    • Acc: Manual 4th Axis  ……………………. March 2015  …………….. March 2015
    • Version 2.0 Handibot  …………………….@ MakerFaire 2015 ……. June 2015
    • Acc: Laser Marking Head ………………… June 2015 ………………. June 2015
    • Acc: Manual 5 Axis  ……………………….. July 2015 ………………… July 2015
    • Acc: 3D Print Head  ……………………….. July 2015 ………………… July 2015
    • Acc: Motorized 5 Axis  …………………….. Fall 2015 ………………… Fall 2015
    • Acc: End-work/Dovetail Jig ………………. Fall 2015 …………………. Fall 2015

    Controls, Software, Web Ecosystem

    • Beta V300 Control Cards (for FabMo)  …. March 2015 ……….. – limited to testers –
    • V300 Control Cards (FabMo) & SBC  …… @ MakerFaire 2015 …… June 2015
    • First Beta Release Version of FabMo …..  Feb 2015
    • Release Version FabMo  ………………….. @ MakerFaire 2015 …… June 2015
    • Beta & EXAMPLE Utility Apps  …………… Late March 2015
    • Utility Apps for FabMo Handibots  ……… @ MakerFaire 2015 …… June 2015
    • Developer Contributed Utility Apps …….. @ MakerFaire 2015?                 ?
    • Handibot HQ Gallery & Project Areas …..  Feb 2015
    • Handibot HQ Project Delivery (free) …….  April 2015
    • Handibot HQ Project delivery (paid) …….  June 2015

    About

    7 Responses to Development Team Report / January 2015

    1. January 21, 2015 at 11:59 am

      2015 going to be a great year for Handibot by the look of it, looking forward to it.

    2. Richard
      January 22, 2015 at 5:45 pm

      Ted, why is it that the new prox switches will not be available as a retrofit? I have a Kickstarter machine and knocked the bottom switch off somehow. Thanks, RMW.

    3. Ted Hall
      January 22, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      We plan to try… But the upgrade will be a little difficult procedurally and require some fussy adjustments to get the zero set to the right location. We just did not want to promise a simple kit. Our new prox switches are small, barrel shaped, magnetic reed switches (like the others, they are just a switch closure to the controller). =Ted

    4. john
      January 29, 2015 at 8:25 pm

      can’t wait for the new version handibot

    5. Charlie
      April 18, 2015 at 11:32 am

      I really want to get the 2.0 in June. Will it be relatively easy to add the 5th axis and 3D print head when available? Also, do you have any preliminary prices for the 2.0, 5th, and printing?

    6. Ted Hall
      May 11, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Charlie,

      Thanks for the question. I used them as the basis for the April Development Report. Hope you get a chance to check it out.

      =Ted

    7. Mattias
      December 8, 2015 at 4:35 am

      Hi!

      When will you release the Crawler?

      /Mattias

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