FWD/FF Buggy

[Origineelreclamebord]

Originally Posted by ruf

I can't believe that it was cheaper to print those parts than machine them? You have your own printer I assume? Fantastic work. Interesting choice of flipping the front and rear shocks. I hadn't noticed that from the drawings.

I don't have my own printer, they have it at Atomic Carbon. It is an FDM printer (an extrusion proces where it lays down a wire/string of material, forming a layer, and once one layer is done moves to the layer on top of that), they are relatively affordable and it's a quick and cheap way to make prototypes.

I must say though, if some parts are not strong enough I'll have to find a way to make them stronger (for example I think the suspension arms will get a beating and I can't be 100% certain they'll keep themselves in one piece with my driving style ). Machining could prove an option, another option would be to look at more sophisticated printing methods (and thus using a printing service).

All in all though, the parts feel quite strong: You can feel a tiny bit of flex, but they are quite rigid and even the printed plates (that will later be in carbon) seem to be able to handle quite a lot of punishment (screws that rotate enourmously tight at assembly and the printed plate being the only thing I could hold onto with my hands).

[Gayo]

This is awesome! What a great project, you must be proud!

As the others said, can't wait to see it running! Will you sell a conversion kit?

[ruf]

I've been eyeballing this:
http://store.3dprintingsystems.com/i...product_id=101

We'll see what the reviews are once it's out. I'm still looking at Cubify which is more expensive, but their software looks really easy. Trouble there is proprietary spools.

[Chrislong]

Hope this catches on! Awesome work.

[Origineelreclamebord]

I posted pictures of the built prototype in the Atomic Carbon subforum (LINK) - Here are two of the pictures of what it looks like (to make you click the link ):

[Burty248]

Wow looks amazing.

Good stuff.

[Cream]

Looks great.

[ruf]

fantastic!

[mro_racing aka Doorbell]

we need a video of it on the track
wish i had a 3d printer

[Naushad]

Wow!

Imagine ppl sharing CAD files to make their own model parts...seems crazy concept but it could be the future!

Originally Posted by ruf

I've been eyeballing this:
http://store.3dprintingsystems.com/i...product_id=101

We'll see what the reviews are once it's out. I'm still looking at Cubify which is more expensive, but their software looks really easy. Trouble there is proprietary spools.

[Origineelreclamebord]

Originally Posted by Naushad

Wow!

Imagine ppl sharing CAD files to make their own model parts...seems crazy concept but it could be the future!

I don't wish to crush your dreams but often this system is used to get people going and make them enthusiastic, only to start charging money for things once everything seems successful. There are very few open-source (or alike) systems out there.

That said, I really hope I am proven absolutely wrong! In fact, I already shared the CAD models of the Tamiya parts with someone so he could do a tube chassis buggy based on the 201 I won't post them online for grabs as I think Tamiya wouldn't be too happy with that, but if anyone needs them they can PM me.

[Burty248]

Have you been using solidworks for this project? Whats it like and how much is it?

I Would like to do some basic 3d computer modeling myself.

[Origineelreclamebord]

I've indeed used SolidWorks. We can get the student license for 4 euros at the university, but normally a student version costs 120 euros.

As for a SolidWorks license which allows you to use the software for production purposes as a company (and has the latest updates, the student version is the previous year's version) I've heard you'll pay up to as much as 6000 euros!

Whatever the case is, SolidWorks is not basic at all, but it does work very well - Once you get to understand the 'SolidWorks-logics:' The thing is, it's not extremely intuitive. It's hard to make such a complicated piece of software with this much capabilities without making things impossible to follow for a stranger to SolidWorks.

However, I think they do have nice tutorials incorporated in the software: Once you've done one of the tutorials, the rest will go easier, and once you get a feeling for using the basic steps in making a model you can start playing around and do all sorts of crazy stuff!

There are plenty of cheap or free alternatives. I haven't used them as I already have this software (and there is nothing the free CAD packages can do what SolidWorks can't other than save you money - but for me not a lot either). I've seen some very impressive work in Google SketchUp, so it might be worth having a look at, and I've worked in Anim8or when I was younger - I recalled it was fun and that people had made amazing stuff in it, but whether it is compatible with CAM or even practical when you need measure and remeasure a lot I don't know.

[Burty248]

Hmm that sort of price tag is a bit high at the moment. Thanks for the indepth reply though.

Might be somthing I come to later.

[smokes]

Originally Posted by Origineelreclamebord

Hehe thanks for the tip! I removed them to reduce the chance of errors in SolidWorks: It seems SolidWorks just can't seem to understand ball joints and concentric mates very well if you have a lot of them. Apparently removing the front links wasn't enough, as it doesn't listen to any of the concentric mates I set anymore: The ball connectors don't stay in their adjusters anymore whilst it did work yesterday. Ah well, time to re-assemble the low - again

Anyway, to come back to your point: I checked yesterday if the upper links would fit. They need to move to the front a bit, but it will fit. It's almost too tight for comfort, but it will have to do The DEX210's inner rear adjusters may help to create a little more room by the way.

to mate ball joint in sw by create a sketch point in the spherical center of ball and ball cup, select to sketch points and do a coincident mate.

[Origineelreclamebord]

Originally Posted by smokes

to mate ball joint in sw by create a sketch point in the spherical center of ball and ball cup, select to sketch points and do a coincident mate.

That's a VERY good idea, thanks!!! It seems it just can't solve all the concentric mates without failing at some point Time to edit that and make a new assembly of the lot then!

[DANNYHOCKIN]

I purchased alibre design expert software. It's not near the level of solidworks but for someone that wants to learn modeling software on their own, it's pretty cool. Best part about it......... It's WAAAAAAYYYYY cheaper than solidworks.

They just started selling 3d printers too. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

http://www.alibre.com/

[Origineelreclamebord]

Originally Posted by DANNYHOCKIN

I purchased alibre design expert software. It's not near the level of solidworks but for someone that wants to learn modeling software on their own, it's pretty cool. Best part about it......... It's WAAAAAAYYYYY cheaper than solidworks.

They just started selling 3d printers too. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

http://www.alibre.com/

That's one to watch and try out when the end of my study draws near! I want to use software legally if/when I start my own business, and I know there is a lot out there beyond SolidWorks - though I understand for a uni it is financially more attractive (and more time efficient to use only one CAD package).

Edit: Just watched a video of the part modeling... The way of working used in the discussed features is pretty much identical to what you have in SolidWorks... Nice!

[smokes]

Originally Posted by Origineelreclamebord

That's a VERY good idea, thanks!!! It seems it just can't solve all the concentric mates without failing at some point Time to edit that and make a new assembly of the lot then!

I made 1/12th scale model of a CRC t-force I have put it on Grabcad have a look at that if you have SW2011 or higher. that will allow you to see the Ball joint mates.

[moker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5C378lYU6s