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Hi Marcus - The narration track got messed up in the process so I just uploaded it without. This is the modeling process in the direct modeling environment, the parametric modeling environment would be a slightly different workflow. Regarding the 2D sketch files, those are from www.electricherald.com/shop - in Fusion, I usually re-trace the body and headstock shapes with the spline tool since it tends to filet/chamfer without hassle when you loft from a properly constrained spline (or singular spline).

Hi Tony - the original machine used an Arduino and was programmed using the Arduino IDE, which uses a mishmash of C and C++. However, I switched to an ESP32 MCU early on so I could split the two cores and have one dedicated to GUI comms and sensor readouts and the other dedicated to motor movement (to ensure smooth operation). Rather than switch to Python, I continued using the Arduino IDE since I had all my libraries set up already. The version of the machine in the video is about two prototypes ago, the latest is much quieter and has a more attractive GUI.

Hi Joey - this video is an old prototype, I have the new version sitting next to me. I'll have to get around to making a new video at some point, but I just did a Strat set with it and they came out great.

Are you still working on this?

Would you do it for me 😂

Hi - this video is so old, the machine has gone through two other prototype designs, complete gui overhaul, etc. The latest version is being made in China right now, should be able to assemble in a few weeks whenever it arrives.

Here's a couple pictures of the latest version: imgur.com/a/BBSydI5 I decided to do a rail mount system for the main components, better drivers / PSU, ball-screw drive (which reduces the clacking from the constant back and forth, much quieter now), larger 7" capacitive touch screen with a much prettier GUI, simplified thread guiding system (any tensioning you want has to be done with a secondary device that sits apart from the machine)....the list goes on, but the core ideas for the movement modes are the same.

@@joelbennett9014 ​ @Joel Bennett Oh! The imgur link currently does not work, but still, this is all so lovely to hear! Thank you for sharing. I've no idea if you're planning on selling these or if you already are, but I'm excited!

@@vreevroow I'm not 100% certain yet, the price tag would likely be over $2000 USD if I were to sell them because I'd not be doing massive production runs or anything. This thing has a lot of components. I'll get this latest (and hopefully final) version done and then see how I'm feeling - there's a certain amount of support I'd have to offer after the fact as well, and I'm still just one person, so it's a bit of responsibility I'd be taking on by selling them.

@@joelbennett9014 Yeah, I fully empathise with the difficulties of production and running a business, I wish you luck. Very cool project you've got here.

My friend and I used to rewind it back to this clip even when the credits had finished we'd have to do it at least 2/3 times every time! I feel cold😂 there's some blood coming from my mouth😂 you've still got the gun hahahahahaaaaa

It had a number of upgrades but I myself have had some setbacks with my health and other projects. It's very difficult to jump back into, but I'm ordering some new parts today and seeing if I can.

Just audio, sorry - didn't have a mic at the time.

I posted the first prototype video about 3 years ago, and I've seen a few attempts at traversing mechanisms pop up since then. They tend to be the same, which is a simple back and forth strafe completely independent of the motor speed. Something like that would be a lot easier to come up with if you were going to design your own. I think that Highline Guitars guy sells some plans for that kind. You just have to be careful to take note of whether or not your strafing mechanism is performing repeated passes in the same areas and adjust accordingly if reduced parallel capacitance is something you're aiming for.

It is, but I had a number of setbacks - health issues, a hard drive with the latest software and GUI files seems to be dead and beyond saving, changed out the PSU and drivers to try to address some resonance issues at over 600rpm, which necessitates a new custom PCB that can stepdown from a larger voltage...the PCB is redesigned and just having someone assemble it now so I can get back to work. Would save a lot of time if I could get my data on my dead drive back too. I do intend to finish it, but it's turned out to be a big one for one person without any funding, but I'll get there.

@@joelbennett9014 glad to hear that the project is still going on. it has some really interesting features. I really like pattern mode feature and focus feature. waiting forward to see futher development, hope you can finish the project soon. I'd be really interested in getting one.

Still waiting to hear back from someone regarding PCB design adjustments. May have to find someone else..

Hello - everything is essentially finished but due to resonance issues with higher RPMs, I'm replacing some parts. Shouldn't be long now.

@@joelbennett9014 awesome, signed up for the newslist

@@joelbennett9014 Hey Joe, just checkin up on the project

@@capaya8139 Hi again - sorry about all the delays...had a persistent stomach infection followed by covid. There are some motor resonance issues so I've upgraded the drivers and power supply, just waiting for someone to get back to me about fabricating the new PCB to handle higher voltage. Software is pretty much completely done, so once those issues are worked out, I'll run tests and make a new video.

@@joelbennett9014dont sweat it, i feel you, had a terrrible booster shot reaction compounded with covid as well; bed ridden for days with fevers up to 105. I was just checking along to see how things were going, best of luck to you!

Funnily enough, I just started working on the final push yesterday. All the parts and metalwork are finished, but I went ahead and decided to make a better looking GUI and add some features, like a fancy coil calculator and a better file saving system. So that's what I'm working through now - I'll put a new video up when it's done, hopefully in a month.

@@joelbennett9014 guess that month eta didn't happen. :D Hopefully still coming though. Love to see how it works. Do you plan to sell plans?

@@THRobinson I did finish the programming, then ran into some resonance issues over a certain RPM threshold, so I ended up switching to new drivers and a higher voltage power supply...which required a new PCB board. It's all sitting here waiting for me to get to it, but I'm a little tied up lately. I don't think I'll be selling plans for it because I would probably recommend a different approach for someone trying to do something similar...cut out some of the issues I've experienced.

@@THRobinson The new software is finished now, just doing some testing before I make a new chassis for it.

that won't be clear until the final prototype is made and all the import costs are calculated, but it won't be as expensive as you may be thinking. the cost is going to be kept reasonable. you can receive notifications about the final design update and pricing by putting your email address on the mailing list @ ac-2.net

Hey, sorry I didn't get back to you before. The screen issue came down to the hardware, the ribbon connector just had a really really stubborn row of contacts. TronXY actually sent me a new motherboard after I complained, but the issue was persistent - I assume the screen itself needed replacing. Regardless, it ran fine when using the computer as a controller. I ended up giving this printer away to someone who would get more use out of it. If your Z axis isn't working, are you certain that your motor wiring is correct? Have you tried switching the z axis motor for another to ensure it's not just a motor issue?

Hi - browsers still support flash, they just have it blocked as a security default. Open Chrome and go to the website, then follow the instructions on this link: imgur.com/a/mNNTAOU

@@joelbennett9014 thank you!

@@thesohnly Let me know if there's anything else you'd like help with, I do this sort of stuff every day for the site more or less.

Hi Josh - this was the first prototype that I made with a 3D printer, I'm currently seeking a good fabricator to do a full metal prototype before raising money for a production run. I'll put an updated video on here soon.

@@joelbennett9014 is this available yet?

@@ozcullum Hi Oz - there was a long pause due to finances/global pandemic stuff, but the latest prototype is being worked on right now. Just ironing out kinks before doing a final chassis design and taking orders. You can put your email on the mailing list @ www.ac-2.net for updates.

@@ozcullum Here's the updated prototype. The final one is being worked on right now, but you can see a bit of the winding action there.

Hi Josh - the second prototype video is online here if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/aJHpDSjEbtQ/w-d-xo.html

I'm four months late with this response, sorry - are you talking about trying to intersect paths with the options in the Pathfinder menu? If so, I use divide a lot these days to get the frets sized properly, but you have to go through and cut out remaining outlines of the fretboard (which is why you duplicate and hide the fretboard first). If you're just talking about the process of adding a point or joining a line to a point, if you're not seeing your points, go to the View menu and hit Show Edges. If neither of these things works, you'll have to email me - electricherald.com/contact

Thanks Joshua - are you bringing these sketches into Fusion afterward or strictly for printing? There's a more in-depth article on the illustration process on the website (if you haven't seen it yet): www.electricherald.com/how-to-draw-a-guitar-template-adobe-illustrator/

@@joelbennett9014 , hey! I'll be bringing them to Fusion (though, I'm a Solidworks kind of guy in the first place). I tried the article originally and whilst it's fantastic, this video helped even more. I do have a question, though. I've been trying (and probably overthinking) to get the picture for the body template to match up perfectly with the sketched fretboard. I've been trying to get a centerline on the original picture to then match up with the sketch's centreline (both equal to their scale length). Would this be a bit overkill at all? If so, would the body sketch be more of a shape replication and then be with the process of adding components (pickups, bridge etc) afterwards? Thanks for reading and please do keep up the great work. Those new 3D templates with CAM paths look amazing, I may have something for you if you're interested. :)

Also, I've a video request/challenge for you, Mr.Bennett. 😁 Reckon you could do a speed run of designing a single guitar from acquiring the specs to a fully CAM ready model? A compete dry run and nailing it cold from start to finish? If you have a Patreon, I'd be happy to donate. 😎

@@joshuac6657 I actually tried to do something like that recently but my screencast upload failed and it refuses to let me pull the footage out and try again...i will do this once i get a couple days off and a new recording app. for the past 9 months, i've been designing and programming a fully-automated, programmable, touchscreen pickup winding machine, so my contributions to the site have been minimal...the machine is in testing phase now and all the manufacturing is lined up, so i should be able to do more design stuff soon.

Sweet mercy, that's incredible. Rather inspiring too. That's quite a bit beyond the Arduino jobbie I was preparing for. 😁 If I'm to take a stab in the dark here, did you study engineering of some sorts at Uni? (Assuming you're a fellow Brit)

Couldn't say, I didn't play it. The riffs were chosen to highlight different aspects of the pickup breakup and harmonic profiles. There was no black metal chord work or speed picking, but it's as good as a comparison you'll get as is.

2nd: Bullet for my Valentine - Tears don't fall

the first one is the beginning of a killswitch song, the one that goes "imprisonedddd"

This isn't actually my video, I just re-uploaded it. I forgot from where or why... Personally, I don't think anything beats an EMG-81 in the bridge for high gain clarity.