Sunday, October 1, 2017

Second iteration for the matrix bracing

Each horizontal brace is now made from two sheets of 1/4 inch ply. The slots for the vertical spacers are cut completely through so that each spacer sits directly on top of the one below. This idea is to make sure that the drawing's dimensions are absolutely adhered to and don't depend on the thickness of the plywood which is quite variable.  Moving to this two layer brace sandwich also afforded the opportunity to add additional vertical spacers at the front.
 



The spacers are rather 'bendy' when the vertical axis lies across the grain, but stiffer when it is with the grain. Although the spacers are not load-bearing, I think for the remaining cuts I will ensure that they are all vertical.

This build is turning out to be much more complicated and time-consuming than the Phase-IVs. Partly that's a function of getting to grips with the Shopbot, and one false start, but Phase-IVs had very little assembly. These by contrast have orders of magnitude more; and I'm not even close to starting on the cabinet walls yet.