dwasson
01-03-2006, 07:24 PM
From: http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Tomlinson.htm
The Internet Craftsmanship Museum Presents:
Clennell "Clen" Tomlinson
CNC-machined miniature engine masterpiece
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/clen1m.jpg
Clen is seen here at the 2003 Pacific Rim International Model Engineering show in Oregon with his nearly-completed Napier Deltic 18-cylinder engine. (Click on photo for larger image.)
When I had Craig add Clen to our Craftsmanship Museum I did so with the express idea to answer the question, “Is a craftsman still a craftsman if he uses CNC tools along with CAD/CAM programs?” Just a glance at the magnificent project that is “still in the works” by Clen and one should have the answer, and it should be a definite “yes.” In the hands of a great craftsman CNC is just another tool, and Clen deserves the same amount of respect as any great craftsman.
What especially impressed me about Clen and his project was he wasn't a youngster who grew up in the computer age; he was a craftsman who was willing to take on a seemingly impossible project and use every tool at his disposal to accomplish his goal. I'm looking forward to the day when Clen’s engine roars to life. --Joe Martin
While looking at the engines on display at the 2003 PRIME show in Oregon, Joe Martin was particularly impressed with the work of Clen Tomlinson. Taking on a model engine project of this magnitude is no small task, and the finishes on this model are simply superb. Although it is not yet complete, we felt that visitors to this museum would want to see what has taken place so far and will follow the progress of this project to its completion along with us. Another aspect where this project varies from others in this museum is that it is machined almost completely using modern CNC technology. In the past we have excluded CNC work in favor of the hands-on craftsmanship of non-computer controlled tools. In this case we made an exception for two reasons: 1) The level of complication of this model meant that even with the help of Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines to make the part, the combination of knowledge and skill required to actually make the parts is in some ways more demanding than making them by hand, and 2) CNC machining is the way machine shops now work and the way in which craftsmen in the future will be making parts. As projects get more highly technical, some parts such as turbine blades simply cannot be made any other way than with the help of computer control. What you see here is a preview of the direction model engineering will be heading in the next decade or two.--Craig Libuse
More info and photos at link. (http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Tomlinson.htm)
The Internet Craftsmanship Museum Presents:
Clennell "Clen" Tomlinson
CNC-machined miniature engine masterpiece
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/clen1m.jpg
Clen is seen here at the 2003 Pacific Rim International Model Engineering show in Oregon with his nearly-completed Napier Deltic 18-cylinder engine. (Click on photo for larger image.)
When I had Craig add Clen to our Craftsmanship Museum I did so with the express idea to answer the question, “Is a craftsman still a craftsman if he uses CNC tools along with CAD/CAM programs?” Just a glance at the magnificent project that is “still in the works” by Clen and one should have the answer, and it should be a definite “yes.” In the hands of a great craftsman CNC is just another tool, and Clen deserves the same amount of respect as any great craftsman.
What especially impressed me about Clen and his project was he wasn't a youngster who grew up in the computer age; he was a craftsman who was willing to take on a seemingly impossible project and use every tool at his disposal to accomplish his goal. I'm looking forward to the day when Clen’s engine roars to life. --Joe Martin
While looking at the engines on display at the 2003 PRIME show in Oregon, Joe Martin was particularly impressed with the work of Clen Tomlinson. Taking on a model engine project of this magnitude is no small task, and the finishes on this model are simply superb. Although it is not yet complete, we felt that visitors to this museum would want to see what has taken place so far and will follow the progress of this project to its completion along with us. Another aspect where this project varies from others in this museum is that it is machined almost completely using modern CNC technology. In the past we have excluded CNC work in favor of the hands-on craftsmanship of non-computer controlled tools. In this case we made an exception for two reasons: 1) The level of complication of this model meant that even with the help of Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines to make the part, the combination of knowledge and skill required to actually make the parts is in some ways more demanding than making them by hand, and 2) CNC machining is the way machine shops now work and the way in which craftsmen in the future will be making parts. As projects get more highly technical, some parts such as turbine blades simply cannot be made any other way than with the help of computer control. What you see here is a preview of the direction model engineering will be heading in the next decade or two.--Craig Libuse
More info and photos at link. (http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Tomlinson.htm)