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Forum Why does every one need to reinvent the wheel??
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  • episode 523
  • reinvent
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Why does every one need to reinvent the wheel??

phoenixcomm
phoenixcomm over 3 years ago

First I  have a civil engineering degree with a double minor

  • EE
  • CS (Computer Science)

This makes me dangerous.  Take for example:Episode 523: Make your Own Auto-Sensing Solder Fume Extractor, Katie sadly started to build a bigger box:

  • A sensor
  • An Arduino
  • Time to code this thing.

Katie did not look at form or function or what do I don't need ( anything from the list).

My approach is very minimalistic.

  • AC Solid State Relay, the output of the relay (load) goes to the fume extractor) (so ok If you have a DC fan toss in a transformer and some diodes.
  • FINS!

The Black wire is further away from the switch.   The white or Neutral goes to the neutral side and you're done.

So now when you turn on my Metcal solder system the fume extracted is on as well.

If you don't understand this let me know And I will whip up a print!!!!

 

~~Cris

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  • BigG
    0 BigG over 3 years ago

    It's called indulgence. I know of many who enjoy chocolates as their indulgence, but I prefer to indulge in the practice of over-engineering a solution to a simple problem. It's simply delicious (and I tend to learn new things too). image

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  • phoenixcomm
    0 phoenixcomm over 3 years ago in reply to BigG

    BigG I most of the time used to over-engineer as well, it's like building a bigger box when a smaller box will do. I got broke of this when working for Hughes Aerospace in California. You only have so much space and a weight limit on everything. It's not like I'm putting a box in an aircraft carrier. But I am working basically on a flight simulator which is part of a plane. Weight is your enemy. When I was in the Air Force there were several saying that you all can benefit from.

    • RTFM Read The Freaken Manual
    • PORTABILITY is anything with a handle on it.
    • If you cant break the bolt loose get a bigger hammer. (no finesse)
    • COG Center Of Gravity is normally over the main wheel with the exception of the Boeing MAX. (don't ever fly in one)
    • KISS Methode Keep It Simple Stupid.

    ~~Cris

    PS shabaz This in a way reminds me of the price of oil and the size of your car. prices low get a truck! prices high get a hybrid!! And on it goes.

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  • Fred27
    0 Fred27 over 3 years ago in reply to phoenixcomm

    phoenixcomm  wrote:

    I most of the time used to over-engineer as well, it's like building a bigger box when a smaller box will do. I got broke of this when working for Hughes Aerospace in California.

    That's the key. You were working.

     

    Reinventing the wheel and ignoring efficiency is wrong when you're working. It's absolutely fine when you're doing it for the fun of it (or as a learning experience). In the former, your goal is the product. In the latter the goal is knowledge.

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  • BigG
    0 BigG over 3 years ago in reply to Fred27

    Agree. When you're working on any project, keeping it simple (KISS) and low cost while delivering the requirements is one of the prime objectives.

     

    phoenixcomm Aerospace is certainly a very interesting sector. It has to be safe and reliable and it's where design&build complexity kills (literally).

     

    This makes R&D for a company particularly fascinating and very challenging. It's where people stretch the boundaries of what is possible while still making it safe and reliable. It's learning while doing (without making the accountants too unhappy) to achieve the goal of delivering some sort of new competitive product. I believe many academics have studied these R&D wizards and no one can quite figure out how they tick...

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  • phoenixcomm
    0 phoenixcomm over 3 years ago in reply to Fred27

    Fred27 you are right! the problem is doing coding projects my friend Pual used you say "Cris your building a bigger box!" and eventually broke me of the habit. I now look at the requirements and their Form, Function, Usability, Repairability.

    For each part of the project, I write a separate Documentation Manul.

    ~~Cris

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  • phoenixcomm
    0 phoenixcomm over 3 years ago in reply to Fred27

    Fred27 you are right! the problem is doing coding projects my friend Pual used you say "Cris your building a bigger box!" and eventually broke me of the habit. I now look at the requirements and their Form, Function, Usability, Repairability.

    For each part of the project, I write a separate Documentation Manul.

    ~~Cris

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