Big Rig

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BillK
Posts: 885
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:08 am

Re: Big Rig

Post by BillK »

Hi there, time for another big rig tale.

So we skipped the 2016 contest. This is the story of the 2017 entry. I decided to make this one out of red oak. The problem is that red oak is a lot heavier than pine, so I needed to devise a new design and construction method to lighten it up. The key to a fast truck is to concentrate the weight at the rear. Since the driving force is gravity, you have to take advantage of potential energy converting to kinetic energy. So making the bulk of the weight higher up gives you more potential energy. The other key is friction reduction. The first design had all 18 wheels in contact with the track. The new truck has only 3 wheels in contact at one time, and only 4 that can contact. The result is a truck that is about 2 to 3 seconds faster in going 50 feet. Times were clocked at below 5.3 seconds.

Trying to win the best looking truck again and the fastest. The pictures describe the process pretty well. I also added a lexan window at the bottom where 18 red LED lights shine on the track. Check out my Facebook page for some video.
The side
The side
Weight relief on the front insides.
Weight relief on the front insides.
BillK
http://www.Facebook.com/CarvingsbyKurtz
Instagram: carvingsbykurtz
Twitter: @CBKwoodcarver

BillK
Posts: 885
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:08 am

Re: Big Rig

Post by BillK »

A few other shots of the finished product.
Red oak
Red oak
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BillK
http://www.Facebook.com/CarvingsbyKurtz
Instagram: carvingsbykurtz
Twitter: @CBKwoodcarver

Rando
Posts: 757
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 3:24 pm
Location: Boise, ID
Contact:

Re: Big Rig

Post by Rando »

Nice job, well done, Bill!
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ThomR.com Creative tools and photographic art
A proud member of the Pacific Northwest CNC Club (now on Facebook)

TAW
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:50 am

Re: Big Rig

Post by TAW »

Very cool and nice work!!

cjablonski
Posts: 227
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:16 pm

Re: Big Rig

Post by cjablonski »

Beautiful work! Was wondering if it's to late to make a suggestion. Have you ever considered using brass for the running axles? Polished brass in clean wood arbors offer a very low drag, potentially giving you a slight edge. You need only polish the axle where it runs in the frame. ...but I personally know how well it works :)
"I'm not smart, I just remain on problems longer"
Albert Einstein

Making many BTU by experimentation. ...some days it gets too warm :)

BillK
Posts: 885
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:08 am

Re: Big Rig

Post by BillK »

Haha, I'll be giving away more secrets after the race Tuesday and after the truck gets back from Nashville.

Thanks for your kind comments!
BillK
http://www.Facebook.com/CarvingsbyKurtz
Instagram: carvingsbykurtz
Twitter: @CBKwoodcarver

BillK
Posts: 885
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:08 am

Re: Big Rig

Post by BillK »

A few more pics of the insides this time. Here is the 3D printed tray with spots for the battery, switch, extra weight, and LED lights. Cut out on bottom is filled with a Lexan cut out for the LED's to shine thru.
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BillK
http://www.Facebook.com/CarvingsbyKurtz
Instagram: carvingsbykurtz
Twitter: @CBKwoodcarver

tpulley
Posts: 34
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2017 1:31 pm

Re: Big Rig

Post by tpulley »

Really cool. Lots of detail in this.
HD4 extended, Vcarve pro 8.5, 4th axis, Laser. Learning everyday...

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