I am not a tattoo artist. I am an engineer. I cannot give you a tattoo. My goal is to improve the tools used by the real artists.
A
standard tattoo machine has its speed controlled by varying the voltage. To me
it seemed like an archaic way to alter speed for a machine that should have
high precision. My idea was to control a tattoo machine with a microcontroller so
fluctuations in voltage could be ignored and very precise control could be achieved
with inexpensive power supplies.
A
year ago I finished work on a tattoo machine controller but I wasn’t happy with
the results. The machine was prone to some of the pitfalls of its mechanical
nature and I was trying to mechanize it with modern electronics. There was resistance
on both sides. Not long ago I had an idea about a compromise that would use
modern mechanical parts to smooth the transition with electronic components.
The
problem I saw was that I was trying to pull the lever arm of my tattoo machine
down at regular intervals. The tattoo machine on the other hand was
spring-loaded so it had a natural frequency, like a piano string, which didn’t
always line up with the frequency I was forcing. When the two refused to jive I
got some unpredictable results. The answer was to put a dashpot on the arm of the
tattoo machine. This dampening device cushions the return of the lever arm
which reduces the effect of the natural frequency. At least that’s what I’m
hoping.
Enough
background
----------
A
dashpot was sent as a sample from Airpot.
After speaking with a mechanical engineer several cable clamps were purchased
to find one which would hold, but not crush, the dashpot.
Parts
The
tattoo machine was partially disassembled to make room for a new bracket. The
upper electrical contactor was removed. Due to the control nature of this
project it is not necessary. Since it is not used this also reduces sparking
which means less consumable parts for the tattoo machine. The contact plate for
the lever arm was also removed. This pieces shows visible pitting from use.
Measurements were taken for a bracket to go on the existing arm in order to
extend it for the attachment of a dashpot. The tattoo machine arm had usable
holes which were able to fit #10 bolts. The bracket was also marked to receive
those bolts.
Upper electrical parts removed
Measuring for a new bracket
Measuring distance for bolts. 15mm
Marking on 3/4" Al
¾”
angle Al was chosen for the new bracket. Al was cut to length on a horizontal
band saw then the ends were smoothed on a belt sander. The receiving holes were
piloted then drilled with a 3/16” bit. The new bolt locations on the tattoo
machine were countersunk. The bracket was attached to test for spacing.
Piloting two holes
Drilling bracket to 3/16" for #10 bolts
Countersinking tattoo machine
Countersunk bolt in tattoo machine
Bracket attached to tattoo machine
Other side of tattoo machine
The
dashpot was held in place by hand over the tattoo machine to line up the hole
placement. Another hole was piloted and drilled to 3/16” for the cable holder.
Dashpot held in place
Drilling hole to attach dashpot
To
do:
- Buy stainless steel ½” #10-32 countersunk bolts
- Buy #10 lock washers
- Buy tap and drill bit for dashpot
- Reattach electrical on tattoo machine
- Drill + Tap lever arm
- Reprogram machine for duty cycle
Journal page 1
Journal Page 2
A list showing of all the final posts of COMPLETED projects.
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