Barrel Arbor: Test #15 and Still Going!
Still on the quest for that perfect barrel arbor! Test #15: It's all about those tiny degrees and microns. You'd think 0.06mm is nothing, but in watchmaking, it’s everything. 🤯 Every tweak is a step closer to perfection. Can't wait for the next round! 🚀 Check out the journey: https://thebitcoinwatchmaker.com/post/view/barrel-arbor-test-15-and-still-going/
Barrel Arbor: Test #15 and Still Going!
The barrel arbor is one of the toughest parts to machine by hand. This is test #15 on the Elara with the 4th axis, and while I’m making progress, there’s still a long way to go before it’s perfect. 😅
Axis alignment has been a serious challenge. A small misalignment of just 0.05 degrees can cause a 0.125mm Z error at 20mm from center—enough to throw everything off. Right now, we’ve gotten it down to 0.065 degrees, which is great, but still not quite where it needs to be.
That 0.06mm difference may not seem like much, but in watchmaking, it absolutely is. Every micron counts when working at this scale, and even the slightest misalignment can affect fit, function, and aesthetics.
To align the 4th axis, I added a piece of aluminum to the 3-axis fixture, flattened it, and used that as a base for the digital inclinometer (with a precision of two decimal places). Then, I mounted the fixture onto the 4th axis and rotated it until it hit 0.00. This setup has improved accuracy significantly, but there's still a little room for refinement.
Precision at this level is no joke, but every test brings new insights. Onward to the next iteration! 🚀
