Part of designing a mechanical iris diaphragm is knowing what’s the best material to use for iris blades. Material choice is important for a number of reasons, such as; environment, durability, cost, and ensuring a smooth operation.
Update – Slots properly displayed in DXF export
As part of bringing the DXF export files inline with the web output display, the export feature now includes a number of updates.
3D print leaves with opposing pins
3D printers are incredible pieces of tech. With the lowering the costs of FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) printers in recent years, it has enabled desktop fabrication to reach the masses – both in the small business environment, and in the home. Sometimes, however, printing a seemingly simple object can also prove to be equally impossible. Including a way to 3d print leaves for an iris diaphragm…
PJ Masks stencils
No matter who you are, no matter where you’ve been, there’s always some (good) distractions from the usual work. This time around it was creating a small toy, to go in loot bags for a PJ Masks themed party… Because sometimes even the smallest client is the most important!
Iris Calculator review published in Make magazine
Back in February, 2017, Make magazine wrote an unbiased review about the Iris Calculator. The author, Caleb Kraft, used the software to help speed up his design process for making his own mechanical iris. Read the review.
Paper Mechanical Iris Diaphragm
This week, I set myself the challenge of creating an iris that was simple and easy to make. A paper mechanical iris that required no additional materials, or construction techniques, accessible to all. Could it be done?
Refine your iris design with the blade overlap control
The blade overlap control usage in the Iris Calculator is somewhat under utilized by default, as it is set to ensure there are absolutely no light leakages. But it can really help – in combination with some of the other controls – to refine your iris diaphragm design. And it is especially useful when dimensions are tight and you need to maximize all the space you have available.
Canada Day iris
I decided to do something today that I have been wanting to do for a long time; which is to stencil an image on the blades of an iris. This, I figured, has no real practical use – perhaps a new Iris Calculator business card – but none-the-less it would be an interesting effect to see. And as it’s Canada day today, what better image to use than the Canadian flag!
How does the Joseph Joseph spaghetti iris work?
Today we raid the kitchen draw and get to disassemble a spaghetti iris portion tool. The Joseph Joseph adjustable spaghetti measure cleverly makes use of an iris diaphragm’s aperture to give you the perfect amount of pasta on your plate, every time.
Iris diaphragm blade making tips and tricks
Manufacturing mechanical an iris diaphragm blade, identically, multiple times is a challenge. Usually you’re dealing with very thin material and needing to mount pins securely, with a high degree of accuracy. Here is a somewhat subjective run through of various methods of making blades for your iris.
How to make a cardboard mechanical iris
Building an iris diaphragm needn’t always require specialist tools and materials. A perfectly functional aperture can be easily created from craft materials found around the home. All it takes is a little patience and a steady hand.
Full closure – How to make an iris close completely
Sometimes you need a mechanical iris that can close completely. One design that accomplishes this is the dual-plane iris diaphragm.
An introduction to the Iris Diaphragm
Have you ever encountered an iris diaphragm? What is an iris diaphragm? Perhaps you have always wondered how they work, or even wanted to make your own?
Laser etching alloy steel with BoXZY
Have you ever encountered an iris diaphragm? What is an iris diaphragm? Perhaps you have always wondered how they work, or even wanted to make your own?
