Scanning Tunnelling Microscope

Hi Andrew.

We (Mach 30) are using KiCAD on the Shepard Test Stand too, and we're evaluating FreeCAD since we want to do 3D models and assemblies. We've also had Autodesk 123D recommended to us, but my understanding is that it's only free (as in cost), not open source.

We're glad that you've chosen ODE for your project. Keep the good documentation coming.

Hi Jeremy,

Good to hear from you! I went through 'evaluating' a bunch of cad tools also. I put 'evaluating' in quotes because my evaluation consisted of whether I could quickly start working with the software and generating something useful without reading too much of the manual or documentation. LibreCAD fit the bill, FreeCAD didn't - that's just down to my impatience and laziness, no reflection on the tools themselves. I'll be interested to hear what you think of FreeCAD. KiCAD was also a pretty easy decision, as gEDA takes the UNIX philosophy to an extreme - lots of individual 'tools' - and I was wanting something a bit more integrated.

ODE has been great - it's a perfect integration of blog, file archive, wiki and forums. When I began this project I knew I wanted to put it online, but couldn't see how to do it, without an untidy mishmash of a blog, Flickr gallery, etc, etc. I considered 'rolling my own' website, but I don't need that headache - I want to work on my project! So thanks to all you guys involved in ODE.

Good luck with the test stand. I take it you're using an arduino to log peak thrust etc. with a load cell, something like that?

Glad to hear that ODE has what you need. I don't blame you for just wanting to work on your project. ODE is all about providing the needed tools so that open hardware developers can do what they do best - develop awesome hardware.

I'll keep you posted on what we find with FreeCAD. I've only used commercial tools for mechanical design before, so it should be interesting to see if we can make FreeCAD work. No matter what though, we're committed to the use of open source tools.

Version 1.x of the Shepard Test Stand does use an Arduino for data logging. We're currently using a Force Sensing Resistor for the thrust load sensing because it's so inexpensive, but there are just too many problems to make it practical. We're already working on low cost alternatives. Future (more expensive versions) of the stand will use NIST calibrated load cells, but this version is what we call a "level 1 kite", which is a $200 project just to get people's feet wet with the technology.

Hi Andrew. I just wanted to check on the state of this project. It looks fairly complete from the photos and schematics.