3M views · Nov 22, 2017 · 30:33 · 11 HN recommenders · 14 mentions · discussed 2019–2025
Machine Thinking traces where mechanical precision comes from, from flat surface plates and the three-plate method up through lathes and early measuring tools. It is the first in a series on recreating the first micrometer.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters repeatedly recommend it as a half-hour mini-documentary on how precision is bootstrapped from scratch, relevant to machining and chip manufacturing threads.
“The Origins of Precision" is a half hour well spent”HN comment, 2023
“i can highly recommend the youtube series "machine thinking”
Series on precision machining history and the lathe
the lathe is basically the one machine required to kickstart the industrial revolution. (and a way to drive it ofcourse). Also, three surfaces that can be ground truely flat is also vital. i can highly recommend the youtube series "machine thinking" if you have interest in this[0], aswell as the book "the perfectionist" [0] this video [1] link
“The Origins of Precision" is a half hour well spent”
Half hour well spent on origins of precision
There's a way to grind mirrors optics for optics with polishing stones that aren't even flat to the naked eye. Basically the system arrives at tiny tolerances via the process of using the system. And there's way to make three perfectly flat sharpening stones by starting with three raw pieces of natural sharpening stone, just by alternately rubbing the three stones together until they flatten each other out. Paul Sellers can teach you how to flatten a large board without a planer. He also has videos on how to get a wood plane perfectly flat using a large sharpening stone (which can be made as above or with float glass). And if memory serves, you to make something perfectly round you first need something perfectly flat. Once you have something perfectly flat and something perfectly round it's off to the races. Edit: "The Origins of Precision" is a half hour well spent this video
“This is a really nice video if you are interested in measurement precision for manufacturing”
Nice video on measurement precision in manufacturing.
This is a really nice video if you are interested in measurement precision for manufacturing: Machine Thinking: Origins of Precision and first project introduction this video
“stumbled over this[1] nice video, "Origins of Precision”
Explains how precision metal tools came about
> the precision metal tools I was wondering about how those came about not long ago, and stumbled over this[1] nice video, "Origins of Precision". [1]: this video
“Also much recommended from that Chanel are the videos on the "Origins of Precision"[1]”
Channel's video on origins of precision
How the screw of the wine press was the central part of Gensfleisch/Gutenbergs invention which allowed all the other previously existing ones to finally come together (though I also read that certain advances in metallurgy were also essential). Also see the previous video on screws, a much underappreciated invention. It then describes how the availability of books made propagation of existing technology and newer developments possible and faster. The only other comparable moments in history are probably the evolution of spoken language, the invention of writing and most recently the internet. Also much recommended from that Chanel are the videos on the "Origins of Precision"[1], and "The 1751 Machine that Made Everything"[2]. 1: this video 2: link
“Nice summary: ("Origins of Precision" by "Machine Thinking")”
Nice summary of building up precision from surface plates
From what I've seen as an amateur that is yet fascinated by mechanical engineering: iteratively work up to the precision limits with your current methods then try to find/research a (slightly) better way of measuring and/or manufacturing. Since humanity has worked up to this point over centuries/millenia, you wouldn't need to "bootstrap" it from the beginning anymore, just choose the appropriate level of (manufacturing/measuring) precision for your usecase. Otherwise start with a surface plate. Nice summary: this video ("Origins of Precision" by "Machine Thinking")
“If you're interested in this sort of stuff and want a video introduction, see”
Video introduction to flat surfaces and precision
(Hand) scraping refers to link . With two surfaces you can still have some bias (convexity/concavity) even though they appear to be relatively flat, you need three surfaces for absolute flatness. See the Whithworth Method described earlier in this topic. If you're interested in this sort of stuff and want a video introduction, see: this video
“I think it's fair to call these mini-documentaries.”
Example of a precision-focused documentary channel
A YouTube channel primarily dedicated to precision: link Example video: this video I think it's fair to call these mini-documentaries.
“Also Machine Thinking's videos "The 1751 Machine that Made Everything”
Related Machine Thinking videos on precision
Also Machine Thinking's videos "The 1751 Machine that Made Everything" ( link ), "Origins of Precision" ( this video ) and some others on his channel.
“For a nice video/contextual storytelling, see Machine Learning channel's Origins of Precision”
Nice storytelling about precision tools
Agreed and to clarify: > everything in inches, foot pounds, and what not doesn't translate very well internationally when you start outsourcing It translates pretty well for the last 90 years: In 1930, the British Standards Institution adopted an inch of exactly 25.4 mm. The American Standards Association followed suit in 1933. By 1935, industry in 16 countries had adopted the "industrial inch" as it came to be known, effectively endorsing Johansson's pragmatic choice of conversion ratio. link See also the paragraph above referencing the precision tools enabled by Swede Carl Johansson's "Jo Blocks." For a nice video/contextual storytelling, see Machine Learning channel's Origins of Precision: this video
“I find this video of theirs the most relevant”
Building a flat plate from scratch using three-plate method
I find this video of theirs the most relevant [0] where they go through how to start on a desert island and build a flat reference plate using the three plate method and the build up from there [0] this video
“how to rebuild tools that produce other tools”
Related to rebuilding tools from scratch.
Related: Jacques de Vaucanson link Origins of Precision and first project introduction this video (The last video, incidentally, is related to the problem of being stuck on a desert island, and how to rebuild tools that produce other tools...)
“Obligatory machine thinking”
Three-plate flattening method
Obligatory machine thinking: this video Altough, I disagree with the "random fashion". Alternating the pairs AB -> BC -> CA seems more logical to me.
“From Machine Thinking video "Origins of Precision"”
Source of Leland quote about Johansson
"There are only two people I take my hat off to. One is the president of the United States and the other is Mr. Johansson from Sweden." --Henry M. Leland, Founder of Cadillac and Lincoln automobile companies From Machine Thinking video "Origins of Precision": this video
