41 replies to this topic

[DeanJ]

Have you used Fusion? It's all in the cloud now, and I think you can get to use the Stress without cloud credits

 

[Dave Crevie]

I was hoping you worked at a shop with Solidworks or something similar where you had free access as I did. I don't have one of those subscription software plans either. Which is why the drawings I post here are Micky Mouse 2D renderings. Much faster anyway.

[Dave Crevie]

That is the version I have on my laptop. But it is missing so much engineering upgrades, such as stress analysis, and material property info. For simple drawing, 2D software is faster and easier to use.

[Larry Horner]

Dean, that's a great FEA tutorial. Dave and Steve, it sounds like youse guys are both in the Solidworks camp but I will mention that the free version of Fusion 360 also contains some basic FEA capabilities too (I just found this out this morning). I'm still ramping up on Fusion 360 and this is definitely something I want to explore. But for now, Brian is anxious for me to get this puppy wired up! 

[Larry Horner]

Since the only real work was soldering 4 wire connections, finishing up the roller went pretty quickly! Here is the finished roller whose weight as shown is 99 grams but it can be increased to 106 grams with the center pan. I think I like the look of not having the center pan and it is more in keeping with the original Starship. I have a JK flexi which weighs in at 105 grams with body so this chassis is right in the ballpark. It’s shown here with .750” tires so the back end can still be dropped another .015” with .720” tires.

 

 

[Larry Horner]

 

 

[pn6]

Larry you and Martin came up with a great idea and the integration of CAD and3D Printing into a slot car design is awesome. What a great looking Chassis! If it goes as well as it looks you've got a real winner here! Can you shape up a low slung BAT body to fit it??

[Dave Crevie]

I'd call it a hybrid. Brass and printed.

[Alchemist]

Hi Larry,

 

The chassis is simply stunning! ! ! !

 

May I inquire as to what brand of rear tires and what diameter/width wheel hub you're using on the chassis please?

 

Thank you.

 

Ernie

[Martin]

Thanks Paul,

It was a great collaboration working with Larry . I am so glad Larry got it finished and took it to the fantastic results you see in these pics.

 

I on the other hand do enjoy the design and problem solving part the most and working with Larry was a great time bouncing ideas back and forth. 

 

 I originally started with a sketch and a request to build a Starship. I wanted to see a full sidewinder for a class of racing. I knew 3D printing would save time in the midsection base in the long run. I love the combination of disciplines and materials. Hybrid yes Dave for sure, the best of old school meets new.

 

I look forward to getting a Sidewinder finished so we can go to the track and compare SW to AW. I am afraid my commitment to a customer who crashed his real race car takes priority at this time.

 

I look forward to these pages and seeing the next evolution of this concept, you go Larry.  

[Larry Horner]

Thanks for the kudos guys and as Martin said, it was a lot of fun! And I too want to see how these puppies perform. That said, I've decided to use the Lola T70 body I already trimmed for my sidewinder on the anglewinder instead. I'm way slower at body work than I am at chassis development but more to come...

 

Oh and Ernie, those are some full hub .750" tires I picked up from KC Racing. But for testing, I'm going to be purchasing a set of fresh full hub .720" tires. And for the sidewinder, JK still makes some full hub .875" tires.

[Martin]

Some of the chassis features that maybe not as obvious at first glance are .....

 

1/ removable center section.

 

2/ several different torsion/flex front ends to choose from.

 

3/ center chassis location to help center rear track width.

 

4/ wire guide tunnels that locate guide wires and run under A arms. 

 

5/ flat platform to add additional weight to front end either side of the guide. 

 

6/ clamp in motor no soldering to make motor swap easy.

 

7/ 3D printing making repeatability a given.

 

And in regards to FEA. If they can say Adrian Newey  "can see air" and pay him 30 million $ a year.

Then,  I can see stress where I feel some part will be over stressed and will lead to a failure. Its called " real life experience". Or RLE for short.

If we rely on a computer program to make decisions our intuitive skills will be diminished. IMO.  

[mickey thumbs]

A stunning blend of art and engineering. Great to see two guys collaborating on bringing old and new technologies together. Can’t wait to hear the track reports. This is the kind of thing that keeps the hobby alive and moving forward.

[Jay Guard]

Martin:

I'm sure you are aware that Bruce McLaren is famously credited with this design philosophy:

"If it looks right, it probably is right, and if it looks wrong, it probably is wrong". 

This quote reflected his approach to race car engineering, where he believed that aesthetic balance, tidy packaging, and logical design in a car usually translated to better performance, reliability, and safety on the track.

It looks like you are in good company with your RLE! 

Obviously there is a limit to his concept, especially when human life is at stake.  Unfortunately with the way in which Bruce died it seems a little FEA of his car's rear bodywork might have saved his life.

Of course when it comes to slot cars Bruce's and Your design concepts are awesome because if there is a major design flaw the car goes home in a box, not the driver.   

[Alchemist]

Thank you for the info on the rear tires Larry!

 

Ernie

[olescratch]

  When can we expect to have this chassis offered to the public?  It's just the thing for a thingie body to rest on.  The problem will be if it's painted or not!

[Larry Horner]

Hi John and I'm glad you liked the chassis! For now Martin and I want to do some actual track testing of both the sidewinder and anglewinder but will make it available at some point.