HackSpace_-_April_2020

TUTORIAL

Dividing and indexing hackspace-style

Any number of marks that’s a factor of 60 can

be made by starting with the gear set to zero at the

reference gear lock, and marking the first point and

then indexing the assembly around to the desired

division. So, for the example of a rocket tube with 4

fins, indexing and marking through the numbers 0, 15,

30, and 45 gives the correct points. Having marked the

tube, we can remove it and extend the marks using a

piece of aluminium angle to ensure the lines remain

straight in relation to the centre point of the tube.

While this application is a pretty unusual use case, we

hope that it perhaps inspires ideas into how laser-cut

or 3D-printed tools can be made that assist dividing

tasks in projects. All the files for this particular tool are

available here: hsmag.cc/UXcwxP.

If you have your own hackspace-style methods and

approaches to dividing and indexing, share them with

us here: twitter.com/HackSpaceMag.

Figure 5

A simple but

effective dial handle

that, when finished,

will move a threaded

spindle 0.1 mm per

engraved mark

Figure 6

Cheaply available

digital protractors are

incredibly accurate, and

can allow workpieces

to be rotated by

known amounts

Figure 7

Using the laser-cut

Longworth chuck

indexer to rotate

and mark tubes in

equal divisions