[simpits-tech] to STEVE, re: throttle arm

Marv De Beque simpits-tech@simpits.org
Wed, 02 Oct 2002 05:52:58 -0400


Chris,

It is an exact physical copy of the real thing.  You can mount it one of two
ways.  The first is in a real instrument panel, just like the real thing.

The other method uses a large bolt hole on the bottom (1/2-20 pitch).

So, the answer is, it will fit the actual foot print of the original.  The
only difference is mine uses 4 force sensors instead of LVDS to sense grip
pressure.

Marv
-- 


> From: "Chris Crowley" <ccrowley@mccrowley.com>
> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 05:37:54 -0400
> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> Subject: RE: [simpits-tech] to STEVE, re: throttle arm
> 
> Marv,
> I was wondering how your stick base will differ from the one offered by
> Aimsworth? Will yours fit the actual footprint of the real one so that I
> don't have to relocate the switches on the forward right side panel? Will
> yours put the stick at the same elevation as well?
> 
> v/r
> 
> Chris Crowley
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org
> [mailto:simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org]On Behalf Of Marv De Beque
> Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2002 6:39 PM
> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] to STEVE, re: throttle arm
> 
> 
> I would be curious to see the results.  We have the a rapid prototyping
> machine at Honeywell that uses resin.
> 
> I made two MFD bezels for myself.  They look great at a distance, but close
> up you can easily spot the layering as thin lines.  It gives the finish a
> fine line-like patina.
> 
> I was originally thinking of using these as masters to make molds, but they
> are not acceptable with that type of finish.
> 
> If there is a better process that has a glass smooth finish to it, then it
> would be worth going for it!  I am very curious to see what results.
> 
> I'll spill the beans here, but I have already been considering a realistic
> throttle arm for the Cougar to go with my force sensor F-16 stick base.
> 
> What I leaning toward is making a mold of the arm (and the rest of the
> assembly) and casting replicas using either fiberglass or carbon fiber (I am
> leaning toward carbon fiber).
> 
> The reason is for durability.  I have the real thing in my cockpit and I can
> see that it is easy to get some serious abuse if you smack it on entry or
> exit of the cockpit.
> 
> Basically, that arm is a big lever and any pressure on the throttle grip
> will yield a much larger moment of force at the bottom.
> 
> As for making the arm, I would recommend that you make a two-part mold.  The
> first part of making a part is applying a layer of gel coat to the molds,
> then a few layers of carbon fiber cloth.
> 
> The inner hole can be made with 3/8" to 1/2" copper plumbing.  It is easy to
> bend and is malleable.  Once the initial layers have cured, you can add the
> copper tube and fill with a mix of chopped carbon fiber and epoxy resin.
> 
> The resulting part would be very strong.
> 
> You are welcome to try this idea.  If you get it working, go for it!  I
> would like to focus on the stick base first, but see a market for a good
> F-16 throttle solution, too.  Maybe someone out there can do it.
> 
> Incidentally, I am hoping to buy a Cougar soon and will offer a Cougar
> conversion kit for the Cougar F-16 Grip to fit my force sensor base first.
> Since the throttle grip comes along for the ride in the purchase, I have
> been considering the throttle arm as a second project, but that is a little
> further down the road and everyone already knows how busy I am.  :-/
> 
> Marv
> --
> 
> 
>> From: Steve Wilson <mafsix@attbi.com>
>> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 13:18:22 -0400
>> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] to STEVE, re: throttle arm
>> 
>> Er, Marv, actually, that mail was directed at Jim K., whom may have some
> sort
>> of "in" with a rapid prototyper.  And this whole thing is aimed at
> automated
>> 3D rendering of the knobs.  I don't want to hand build 15-20 different
> knobs
>> either.  If my drawings (TBD, BTW) could be used for RP generation of knob
>> masters, from there, castings could be made, and ultimately knob sets.
> I'm
>> trying to knock down that $900 to $1200 cost of the knob masters, and if
> Jim
>> has a good resource, let's add that to the pool.  If the RP costs too
> much,
>> though, obviously this is for naught.  But Jim suggested RP for the arm,
> and
>> while that may or may not fly, RP for the knobs would be super handy.
> That
>> is, unless our pal Jurgen at Aimsworth comes up with a better solution,
> and
>> I'm thinking that may be a very, very good answer to the whole situation.
>> Jurgen is taking a real bent towards authenticity these days, and I'm
> pretty
>> optimistic he will ultimately come through.
>> 
>> Steve
>> --
>> Steve Wilson, mafsix@attbi.com on 10/01/2002
>> 
>> 
>> On Tue, 01 Oct 2002 12:46:55 -0400, Marv De Beque wrote:
>> ::::
>> ::::   Thanks for the offer for the knobs, but like I said before,
>> ::::   the drawings are
>> ::::   of little use to me.  No way do I want to make complex molds
>> ::::   from scratch
>> ::::   for knobs.
>> ::::
>> ::::   It is 100 times easier to make a mold from a real knob and it
>> ::::   is more
>> ::::   accurate, to boot.
>> ::::   --
>> ::::
>> ::::
>> ::::   > From: Steve Wilson <mafsix@attbi.com>
>> ::::   > Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>> ::::   > Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 11:13:07 -0400
>> ::::   > To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
>> ::::   > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] to STEVE, re: throttle arm
>> ::::   >
>> ::::   > Hi Jim - I could probably generate a model of the arm in DXF
>> ::::   and STL with
>> ::::   > little problem.  Keep in mind that the arm needs to be as
>> ::::   hollow as possible
>> ::::   > (thin wall) to get the TQS cablage through it.  But......
>> ::::   more importantly for
>> ::::   > the group, what about knobs!?!  I can generate STL's for
>> ::::   them too.  I don't
>> ::::   > have the time resource to get deep in this, not to mention
>> ::::   sufficient stress
>> ::::   > overhead, but I'm getting into 3D CGI in a big way, and
>> ::::   could use the practice
>> ::::   > doing the models.  It does happen that these can be exported
>> ::::   into
>> ::::   > stereolithography and AutoCAD files suitable for rapid
>> ::::   prototyping.  Am I on
>> ::::   > the right track??
>> ::::   >
>> ::::   > Steve
>> ::::   > --
>> ::::   > Steve Wilson, mafsix@attbi.com on 10/01/2002
>> ::::   >
>> ::::   >
>> ::::   > On Mon, 30 Sep 2002 17:26:18 -0600, Jim K. wrote:
>> ::::   > ::::
>> ::::   > ::::   Steve,
>> ::::   > ::::   You know an easy way to make a replica of the
>> ::::   throttle arm
>> ::::   > ::::   might be to go
>> ::::   > ::::   to a rapid prototyper and have them make an arm using
>> ::::   one of
>> ::::   > ::::   their metal
>> ::::   > ::::   based materials.  It actually might be interesting to
>> ::::   see what
>> ::::   > ::::   something
>> ::::   > ::::   like that would cost.   Do you have a drawing for
>> ::::   that arm??
>> ::::   > ::::   I work
>> ::::   > ::::   closely with a prototyper here and I could get some
>> ::::   ideas for
>> ::::   > ::::   other ways of
>> ::::   > ::::   making that arm.
>> ::::   > ::::   Lemme know
>> ::::   > ::::   Jim
>> ::::   > ::::
>> ::::   > ::::
>> ::::   > ::::   _______________________________________________
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