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Coffee Table #3 DesignScheduleNote: The links on the left side of this page and the other Model CT-3 pages will take you to detailed information about the new coffee table's design and construction. Like all good schedules, this one is subject to change without notice. After all, I can't let fun interfere with work. However, for the moment, the coffee table project is still on schedule for completion by 11/15/2007[1]. |
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Milestone |
Schedule/Status |
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Track plan design complete, including full-size drawing |
Complete |
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Start layout construction |
Plywood received 06/21/2006 |
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All trackage (flex track, turnouts, turnout motors, etc.) ordered from Ken's Trains |
Order received 06/29/2006 |
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Control electronics design and documentation complete, excluding cabling |
Complete |
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Layout lift mechanism parts available |
Parts are available |
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Furniture internal dimensions finalized |
Finalized 07/15/2006 |
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Layout lift mechanism design |
Design completed 07/15/2006 |
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Equipment box and |
Box and lift mechanism |
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Layout lift mechanism operational |
Testing complete 07/26/2006 |
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Scenery conceptual design begins |
Design started 08/11/2006 |
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Layout trackage complete |
Trackage completed 9/14/2006 |
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Electronics ordered from CTI |
Order received 09/25/2006 |
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Electronics construction begins |
Circuit boards installed 9/27/2006 |
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Software development begins |
Coding started 10/03/2006 |
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Power system design complete |
Power systems operational 12/01/2006 |
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Electronics Power On |
The power is on! 01/03/2007 |
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One train running on blocks 1-8 |
First train running 01/09/2007 |
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Two trains running on blocks 1-8 |
Two trains running 02/08/2007 |
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Electronics assembly and test |
Completed 04/22/7007 |
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Foam model of furniture available |
Complete |
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One train running on all blocks |
Complete |
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Scenery construction begins |
06/01/2007 |
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Furniture assembly complete |
07/15/2007 |
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Rough-cut scenery complete |
10/01/2007 |
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Layout operational[2] |
11/15/2007 |
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Furniture sculpture complete |
(Schedule) 08/31/2008 |
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Detailed scenery complete |
(schedule) 08/31/2008 |
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TCL Programming Complete[3] |
(Schedule) 12/31/2008 |
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[1] The "equipment box" is a removable insert that fits into the area beneath the layout. The box houses the electronics and the layout's lift mechanism. [2] 11/15/2007 was the 40th anniversary of the first conceptual drawing of the proposed coffee table layout. Having the new coffee table "complete" by that date was the original objective. However, the reality is that work on the layout will continue for many months to come. A very basic single-train TCL program (i.e., the controlling program) was operational by 11/15/2007, and the train was running flawlessly all over the layout. Basic scenery was in place, but detailed scenery will require more time to complete. As for the table sculpture, that schedule has been allowed to slip for the convenience of both the sculptor and myself. Kerry Vesper has other commissions that require his attention, and I still have a lot of work to do on the layout before it is placed in the table. We are hoping that it will all come together by the end of March 2008. [3] This is the scheduled completion date for single train and trolley programming. Two train operation is a significantly more complicated problem that will likely take much longer to implement. I expect that refinements to the TCL code will be ongoing for a long time. As they say, “hardware is easy. It's the software that’s hard.” |
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