Designing gearbox adapters

[+dj_hansen+]

Im studying Surveying/Geomatics at University and looking at close range photogrammetry next semester as a subject. Basically what it involves is taking a photo with a camera and being able to make sub mm measurements from the photo.

Obviously it requires a specialised camera with a few known variables, and you have to be square on to the part you are trying to photograph, and know your distance away from it.

Basically, im looking at helping you guys out, and my own ideas by being able to produce measurment co-ordinates of things like bell housing bolt patterns, and gearbox patterns to enable the production of adapters.

I have no idea how all the mechanicals work.. i can just provide the measurements for you to load into CAD and laser cut to your hearts content. Can be applied to pretty much anything.

Anyone out there have any interest in this kind of thing?

[mud4b]

im sure someone on here does who has access to machines like that..

i just look work out measurements with basic tools then cut em out using basic tools.. has never failed me yet and never made one that didnt fit...

hmm although tom helped me on one a while ago...

[+dj_hansen+]

I see what your saying Mark... a template could be made for a billion dollar CNC machine... or to print off your printer and cut out of plate by hand.

All I'm doing is making the measuring process faster and more precise.

[RED60]

DJ, Surely you will have some trouble with the fact that when u take the foto, the camera is is fact only perpendicular (square) to the section of the part that is directly in front of the lens. So taken to the n'th degree, there is only 1 pinpoint directly in front of the camera that u can use. The rest of the subject will in fact be distorted slightly. The further away from the centreline of the lens, the greater the distortion. BUT there is probably some magic math out there that can compensate.

[1MadEngineer]

dj,
that would be awesome!!!!!! I have sooooo many jobs already lined up for you! let us know when you are ready to get snapping!!

[+dj_hansen+]

Its probably a month or so away... still trying to work out software and camera.... ill also need to be able to access gearboxes....

[+dj_hansen+]

DJ, Surely you will have some trouble with the fact that when u take the foto, the camera is is fact only perpendicular (square) to the section of the part that is directly in front of the lens. So taken to the n'th degree, there is only 1 pinpoint directly in front of the camera that u can use. The rest of the subject will in fact be distorted slightly. The further away from the centreline of the lens, the greater the distortion. BUT there is probably some magic math out there that can compensate.

Without giving too much away.. you use 2 photos and intersection geometry. You also correct for lens distortion.

[chimpboy]

I always had this idea of just sitting the front of a gearbox or bellhousing on my scanner, scanning, and then "measuring" using software. I still think this would work pretty well.

[xenith]

hi i would like the measurements for a big block ford V8 please. what do i need to do for u mate to get these

[zagan]

Wouldn't you also need the rear of said engine as well?

[KiwiBacon]

Probing them up on a CNC or CMM is still the best way. But this may have potential.

I use a couple of rulers, tape and verniers. Does the job and fits in more places.

[stann_the_man]

would be very interested in a holden t7 manual gearbox to a 85 model pajero transfer case

[+dj_hansen+]

Ok, before everyone gets to carried away, i apologise if i have got a few peoples hopes up.

At this stage, i can promise nothing, i was only voicing my ideas to people and seeing if there was a general interest. Im not a mechanical engineer in any shape or form, so i cant design the adapter for you, i can simply give you a picture/graphic with all the face measurements on them, ie: i can give you the bolt pattern of a G52 gearbox from a hilux in X and Y co-ordinates, and their relative distance from one another.

I will also need to access the gearbox etc that you want to know the dimensions of. Being early days, i'm not sure if a wrecker will appreciate me setting up a camera and tripod in his yard and taking a few photos as yet. Obviously if you have the parts in your posession i can help you out, but that process will take a while as i still have the learning process to go through.

Once again, i apologize if i got anybodies hopes up, and i probably opened my big mouth far too early, studying for exams will do that to you.

As said by KiwiBacon and mud4b, what i'm proposing might be a good way, but too time consuming and complicated for something that doesn't require the precision or technology, and is really a small side project for me to think about as part of my studies.

[RAY185]

Ok, before everyone gets to carried away, i apologise if i have got a few peoples hopes up.

At this stage, i can promise nothing, i was only voicing my ideas to people and seeing if there was a general interest. Im not a mechanical engineer in any shape or form, so i cant design the adapter for you, i can simply give you a picture/graphic with all the face measurements on them, ie: i can give you the bolt pattern of a G52 gearbox from a hilux in X and Y co-ordinates, and their relative distance from one another.

I will also need to access the gearbox etc that you want to know the dimensions of. Being early days, i'm not sure if a wrecker will appreciate me setting up a camera and tripod in his yard and taking a few photos as yet. Obviously if you have the parts in your posession i can help you out, but that process will take a while as i still have the learning process to go through.

Once again, i apologize if i got anybodies hopes up, and i probably opened my big mouth far too early, studying for exams will do that to you.

As said by KiwiBacon and mud4b, what i'm proposing might be a good way, but too time consuming and complicated for something that doesn't require the precision or technology, and is really a small side project for me to think about as part of my studies.

Yeah yeah yeah, mate I need an adapter for a 350 chev to mate to a Lada Niva 5 speed. Can I pay you in lapdances?

Its a great idea and I hope it works out to be a successful one.