Sorry for being so slow getting back. I thought I had animated gif software but I gave it away with an old scanner years ago. I ended up using an ancient microsoft animated gif software + the gimp "layers". I think the gimp works on its own but the old microsoft thing was useful for adjusting the timing.
(I just completed the first version a couple of hours ago. It will improve! and I will upload improved versions in the next couple of days). So lots of relearning, and searching for animated gif software!
On the link now, I have the animated gif at the end with the "procedure" for making a clay mold.
Basically you lay out the mirrors first. Adjusting them in sequence with the laser pointers. (You actually end up building up the secondary reflector at the same time as you build up the primary one) and you use the 2 lasers on each mirror in turn as you go.
Anyway, you probably need enough mirrors to do the secondary reflector part and still have enough mirrors for a couple of lines of the primary reflector.
When the entire reflector surface is made, you could take off the mirrors and smoothe off the surface. Then it can be used to make reflectors from corrugated plastic (cut to fit the shape), or fiberglass or whatever.
(I know it is a big project and I know it is a step into the unknown). A professor in India wants to know more too for an appropriate technology class that he teaches.
Anyway, thats it for now. Thanks for comments and if you do something, do not be afraid to add it to the solar cooking wiki. (There is a clam shell reflector page too).
Brian
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <gaiatechnician@...> wrote:
>
> I have made a simple tool for designing solar cooking dishes for unattended use. (Parabolic dishes must be attended so the poor cook ends up getting cooked too).
> I tried making models with mylar but it did not work so good. Then I tried clay with little mirrors pressed into the wet mud and adjusted.
> That worked like a charm.
> Would any of you be willing to try it.
> Basically the clam shaped reflectors are a whole new type of solar cooker. If you make one, it might be the first or among the first in the world of this type!
> I think cob might be the best material to do a model.
> Or if you are brave, you can go the whole hog and make a 1 meter fully operational clam shaped solar cook dish.
> I will not have decent sun here till March. And frankly, the world needs this thing now.
>
> http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Solar_design_T-Square
> Brian White
>
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