Just an update - What are we up to lately?

[BlackSheepBrass]

************19 December 2019**************

Well things are certainly moving along here at a fairly brisk pace. I am now spending currently most of my time in front of a computer doing design work on machines. I have built a couple more pieces of equipment and am getting more efficient at selecting pre-manufactured components and assembling them into a machine that does what I want. I am still contending with a bit of trial and error, and some dead ends.

I have learned that if I budget $10,000 for a project, then add at least a 250% cushion to it. Just like the government. It seems I am on a bit of a pendulum, for trying to find the balance between performance and cost when building equipment. I want the "best" just so I know "X" component won't be a problem, then I realize that if I am to sell that machine, I need to come up with a more budget friendly replacement for things like bearings, and steel selection.

I am also streamlining parts of the process for manufacturing, getting parts water jet and wire EDM cut where appropriate. I am trying to establish "acceptable" tolerances on machines, hence I can move more things over to water jet to speed it up and reduce the cost. Heat treating of metals has been an interesting experience. Trying to research the correct hardness to make parts, the correct processes. Then also if cryogenic treatment will be of benefit. I have found some very helpful people in the industry who will answer all my questions. It took some time to develop those relationships so that people would actually talk to me, but once you start showing them plans and get them interested in what you do, then they became immensely helpful.


I am beginning construction of my shredder MK. 3. Math says it will be approximately twice as strong as my previous version, while using the power provided to it more efficiently.

What is in the works currently?

Well as above, MK. 3 shredder will be completed construction here early in the new year. Next up is I have designed a machine that will strip aluminum and garbage out of brass at high rates of speed, in the area of 250 - 500lbs per hour throughput. I am also currently working on a project that is a strictly military application and is pretty neat, but also I can't really talk about it too much until the patent paperwork comes back.











************03 July 2019***************

I now have up more information on my website for those who are interested and commercial loaders

CLICK HERE FOR SHREDDER

CLICK HERE FOR PLC SORTING LINE CONTROLLER

*********** 04 June 2019 *****************

Good morning everyone,

I just figured I would provide a quick update to the CGN community. I doubt anyone will read it, but I will still write it. People who follow us on instagram or facebook will have an idea of what is in the pipeline.

We have branched our business out and am doing a majority of our current business in the export markets as our capacity is capable of supplying more then the Canadian market consumes (currently)

We have started a new fork in our business doing solutions and controls for commercial loaders and brass processors. Mostly focusing on integration of existing tooling.

Current things that may be of interest (without getting into too much details)

Case mouth optical inspection (post processing to check for defects) - strips from machine without shutdown

Camdex loaders (complete integration and optical inspection)

• only provides primers, powder, or projectiles if brass is present in the station and has passed all previous checks
• conducts optical inspection of the primer pocket and seated primer
• optical inspection of the completed round (case gauge by camera essentially)
• automatic rejection of defective cases and rounds

Sorting line integration - PLC controlled

CLICK HERE FOR PLC SORTING LINE CONTROLLER



Brass de-milling - destruction of waste brass - turns it into a product suitable for scrap to extract full value

• Machine footprint of approximately 24" x 36"
• Conforms with UNODA IATG 10.10 for the destruction of small arms ammunition to render safe any products being sent to the commodity markets.

I now have up more information on my website for those who are interested and commercial loaders
CLICK HERE FOR SHREDDER

Aluminum / Plastic / Brass Separation
High volume / high speed separation of brass from aluminum and plastic - suitable for integration into existing sorting lines.

 

[LUCK12]

Quell you doubts that you go unread/unnoticed , personally when I notice you companny name I check it out. Congratulations on expanding your company/markets.

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

Thanks for the support! I appreciate it.

 

[cdnironhead]

I am one of many who don't participate in Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do rely on CGN to keep updated, and read most posts.

Thanks for the update on what you're up to, and wishes for great success!

 

[MountedMadness]

I am one of many who don't participate in Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do rely on CGN to keep updated, and read most posts.

Thanks for the update on what you're up to, and wishes for great success!

Totally agree.
I too read all of the new posts for a variety of reasons.
Often times they're informative, as is this one from Black-Sheep-Brass; and occasionally there's some real great deals if you're quick enough (or up early enough what with living on the left coast).
Nice to see you're expanding, and into international markets.
Wish you great success.

 

[silver bullet]

I don't use social media either. I'm an email and text guy.
I use your products and appreciate that you're there and providing a quality service.
Thank you.

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

Our sorting line controller is now in service. This should make us about 80% more efficient. I am thinking probably will sort in excess of 2,500 pounds per day now.

 

[hamermill]

Thanks for the update.

 

[TurboTapin]

If ever you need a hand with controls or integration in the future (Electrical design, PLC/HMI Programming, etc.) let me know! Cheers.

 

[Kamikaze11]

Any video ? Im curious to see !

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

Unfortunately I can't do video. I have a bunch of proprietary equipment that I probably should patent and it hasn't been done. This equipment gives me a significant competitive advantage. Once I have patents done I will start doing more videos.

 

[yomomma]

Our sorting line controller is now in service. This should make us about 80% more efficient. I am thinking probably will sort in excess of 2,500 pounds per day now.

View attachment 278879

Too many buttons, you need to start using an HMI with that plc. You should also add an eWON to all your systems, gives you vpn remote access and report generating.

VPN is great for remote access so you can trouble shoot before sending out a technician.

You can set it up to send you any alarms on the machine so you have an answer by the time the customer phones you.

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

There are actually only two "buttons" the rest are just status LED as I watch the machine remotely over camera. The rocker switches are just for auto - off - manual for machines in system.

Next machine will have an lcd HMI however the cost was an issue. As a PLC with a 7" panel is $1,200 with taxes vs the $500 I paid for the PLC, expansion module, led, buttons and switches.

I have not gone into eWon, I have no idea even where to start. I have data logging on the actual PLC and I can see cycles, cycle time, and lifetime hours for each piece of equipment. If I had a technician who did repairs and maintenance I could definitely see the value of something like that, however it's just me who does the service on my equipment, hence currently being able to vpn in is of limited value. If loaders in the USA want these, I may have to look at that so I can log in and do programming changes if required.

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

I have put updated links at the top of the page for people who want to look at the machines a bit more

 

[danzMtl]

Never heard of you guys before but when i read this post, what you are doing is very interesting. wish you all the best!

 

[BAAC]

Been wondering: Can you shred brass with primers in it? (No powder, just primers.)

Live Berdan primers are a PIA...

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

Would be fine to shred. Would I want to shred a million of them, no. a couple of hundred would be fine. Big thing is just not allowing residue to build up.

 

[yomomma]

[FONT=avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496]All programming and controller designs are the intellectual property of Black Sheep Brass. The program or device is not to be modified or duplicated, this will void any expressed or implied warranty.[/FONT]

Interesting. In my 30 years in the automation field have I rarely come across someone trying to safeguard a program. Neither have I locked any plcs to future access.

 

[BlackSheepBrass]

Interesting. In my 30 years in the automation field have I rarely come across someone trying to safeguard a program. Neither have I locked any plcs to future access.

Everything ships with a programming cable. Its not to protect the program from people seeing it, it is more to protect the equipment from the people. They can see the code with the cable plugged into the PLC, they may not be able to see in a couple of function blocks. It just prevents them from writing to the PLC and prevents wipes / overwrites.

If the end user wants me to unlock it, I will unlock it for them. It is more a case of if I leave it unlocked for them and they change something leaving something inoperable or breaks they may take issue as I didn't protect them from themselves essentially.

The program on the shredder is a bit different and I probably wouldn't unlock "just cause" it as if they play with the wrong settings they could physically damage the machine or its components, and they would be into thousands of dollars to replace parts in a hurry. If they had a PLC tech come in or someone in house to knows what is going on and understands the design limitations then, I would send them the unlock code no sweat.

 

[Sniffer]

Interesting. In my 30 years in the automation field have I rarely come across someone trying to safeguard a program. Neither have I locked any plcs to future access.

I come across it more often than I`d like......