RS-232 Port Tester

Old school port tester, trying to diagnose problems with the RS-232 COM port running a DATAQ DI-194RS serial A/D converter.

Adapter train for testing A/D converter

An older open frame DI-194 was used instead of this unit, but is shown for reference.

Machining Centering Rings

First time CNC machining acrylic. 45 degree helix carbide end mill run with coolant to prevent fusing. Worked supremely well.

First Ring Finished

Check out the finish on the machined surface. It's nearly transparent (not that that is required). But the high helix end mill worked well machining this material.

Coil and Damper in Machined Rings

Instead of winding my own coil, this coil was used. It's was from an old 3-vidcon tube video camera. Testing indicates that it works very well.

Machining a Window in the Main Tube

Since we're not using an acrylic tube, a window was needed to view and center the magnets in the coil and damper. This will be covered by a window to prevent any interference by air currents. Workholding is pretty minimal, since it's so easy to machine.

Slotting the spring holder

The Completed coil and damper magnet assembly

Machining the top spring holders

The complete top spring holder assembly

The TC-1 Slinky Jr. Spring

The spring needed to be annealed in order to be bent at this sharp of an angle.

The Business end of the TC-1

Surprising how well the Lenz's Law damper works. A simple yet highly effective solution.

TC-1 on the finished leveling stand

Sample Amaseis graph

Tilted to reduce aliasing from the monitor