Combinatorics Problem

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Revision as of 00:28, 3 November 2010 by DavidCary (talk | contribs) (3-Axis Positioning System: See Alt Select Mechanics.)
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Working Notes, please edit.

The Combinatorics Problem, relative to the RepRap project, deals with the tremendous amount of variation that happen in the project because of it's nature. There are many goals of the project, and many needs of the userbase. Because of this, it's very difficult to address all the needs and goals of all users involved. Hopefully we'll be able to find solutions to the ever-expanding amount of information and how to properly document it.

Stack

Documentation Solution

The Stack template is one solution to this: Template:Stack

(Work in Progress) --Sebastien Bailard

Personal and individual user solution

We need a solution for each user. This may be a paper or text file copy of the the Stack Template?

Definition

A "Stack" is a current and hopefully working software and machine configuration, that exists on the desktop of a user. The "RepRap Stack" is the software and machine configuration we guarantee will work. Everything else is "Stuff that needs more research and documentation".

Note: I may want to rewrite all of this as the "RepRap Stack", and other "Stacks". The RepRap Stack is guaranteed to work. Everything else is ongoing research, todo notes, abandonware, and so on. I'm not sure where the action items are yet. Besides "make the website better".--Sebastien Bailard 02:52, 14 February 2010 (UTC)

Presenting and maintaining a "RepRap Stack" of modules that work together is a crucial RepRap developer responsibility. As is documentation. Mind you, I might be working on an Eiffel, BitBanger, Extruder-and-Spindle aka SDM, and EMC Stack 50% of the time.

This is much easier with the Linux kernel, gnu tool chain, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard directory structure, X window software, KDE Desktop, and Firefox browser that I'm using right now, aka my "Browser Stack".

But helping maintain the wiki that we use to sort this all out is the responsibility of all of us.

Deleting everything but the current working Sat Feb 13 22:13:21 EST 2010 RepRap Stack is silly.


Documentation

  • New user-developers can't do this unless each step has been documented.
  • Experienced user-developers would rather research and develop than document. If they are documenting and uploading parts files, which, happily, does happen, then it is unreasonable for them to support other combinations besides their Snapshot
  • Entrepreneur user-developers want to sell one set of Mendel parts, or 50000 sets of electronics, filament, *Mendel vitamins and need RepRap to do documentation and support.

Examples

User 1 uses w0, x0, y0, z0. User 2 uses w1, x1, y1, z1. ... User 134533 uses w4, x2, y_not, z5.


File Source

SplineScan Cabinet, SplineScan HandHeld Scanner, RBS, Library, Other Spaces, CAD Program, Modeling Program

Committee for Deletionism and Self-Censorship

Committee for Deletionism and Self-Censorship is the official Library committee for Deleting other machines or Self-Censoring parts files and RepStraps that "might make things too confusing".

Slicer

Adrian-Slicer, Povray, Blender?, Rhino

Tool Path Generation

Machine Controller Software

EMC, Replicator G

Machine Controller Electronics

BitBanger, RoboOne Controller

3-Axis Positioning System

See Alt Select Mechanics.

Darwin, Mendel, Builders/LaserCut RepStraps, CNCRouterCut RepStrap, RepOlaRap, Delta, MillStrap, Eiffel, LeCorb, Unnamed PourStrap Named After Architect who Pioneered Prefab Poured Concrete Stuff , Sarrus Z Linkage

Technology

Extruder aka Fused Filament Fabrication, Spindle, Laser Cutter, Inkjet, Powder Print, SpoolHead, Vinyl Cutter

Material

epoxy granite, Thermoplastic, Powder,

Finishing

Furnace, Microwave Sintering, Pewter Casting, Bronze Casting, Ceramic Kiln

Table

All the stuff above could be in a set of autonomous columns. It's a slot machine (or Enigma device) really.

Note: It will be fun to do this as a 'Slot Machine'-type desktop toy.