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Hi, Vance!
Yeah, The G.E. arm really was something - I might
try to build something like it one of these days- I have all the mechanical and
circuit drawings, but most of the electronic compenents in the old design
drawings probably aren't made anymore - but, on the good side, they've likely
been replaced with something smaller, better and cheaper! Another problem is
that the arm required a lot of tuning and tweaking to make it function properly.
As I recall, though, once it was properly set up it was pretty
bullet-proof.
Just back from Curacao - took my wife down in the
'Curasub' - she liked it!
Dutch is his 'usual' self -
Regards
Phil
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 7:05
PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Anyone Know
Tom Pado or Total Marine Technology?
My first experience with office
politics and offshore back stabbing came around Arms I on board the Glomar
Atlantic. Great system. I only wish that I had been able to use it longer. The
GE Arm was fabulous. There is simply no comparison to anything else I have
ever used.
Vance
-----Original
Message----- From: Phil Nuytten < phil@philnuytten.com> To:
personal_submersibles <personal_submersibles@psubs.org> Sent: Fri,
Nov 18, 2011 4:46 pm Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Anyone Know Tom Pado or
Total Marine Technology?
All:
Yup, I know Tom Pado - he used to work for us at
Oceaneering International Inc. He and John Fike were the lead pilots on a
series of 3,000 foot rated thruster/manipulator bells designed for offshore
oil related work - the series was called 'Ocean Arms' and Perry built Arms1
through 3, We built 'Arms 4' here in B.C. and it's still here - out in the
boneyard. The thruster bells were really only a piloted delivery system for
the G.E. force-feedback, spatially compliant manipulator arm. (O.I.I. owned
all rights to the G.E. arm - the rights were purchased from General
Electric - it was used in their 'Man-mate' program.) The G.E. arm was, in my
opinion, the best manipulator arm ever made - right up to current time.
Biggest problem was cost - about $250,000 per arm and controllers. I used this
system many times and it was superb!
Pado went to work in Australia and I later
heard he had built some underwater gear for use on Ozzie rigs - haven't talked
to him for a lot of years. Good to see he's still vertical.
Phil
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 4:45
PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Anyone Know
Tom Pado or Total Marine Technology?
I got this email from a friend today (quoted
below). Seems like there is a gentleman in my area who is involved
with submersibles. I was curious if anyone in psubs is aware of this
individual. Not often I get someone local with a sub connection since
I am “landlocked” in the Midwest.
“Just had a guy come in my store that has lived in
Australia for the last 34 years and now lives in Danville (part time). He
owns a company called Total Marine Technology and his name is Tom
Pado.
He builds subs, drones, spy aircraft,
etc.... He holds world records for dive depth personally and his
equipment also has world records.
I was telling him about you and he got very
excited. Said he would love to talk with you and see what you are
building. Said he may have even designed it and could help you get it
put together. Sounds like he is very connected.”
Thanks,
Steve
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