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.
Big Rig
Moderators: al wolford, sbk, Bob, Kayvon
Re: Big Rig
A few other shots of the finished product.
Re: Big Rig
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)
ThomR.com Creative tools and photographic art
A proud member of the Pacific Northwest CNC Club (now on Facebook)
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- Posts: 227
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 7:16 pm
Re: Big Rig
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
Albert Einstein
Making many BTU by experimentation. ...some days it gets too warm
Re: Big Rig
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!
Thanks for your kind comments!
Re: Big Rig
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.
Re: Big Rig
Really cool. Lots of detail in this.
HD4 extended, Vcarve pro 8.5, 4th axis, Laser. Learning everyday...