Aerocap version 3

[t vago]

Ran into a snag - my wonderful Windoze 7 laptop will not connect to my Arduino Uno, my Arduino Mega2560, or my TinkerKit! LCD module. Furthermore, my JBD MPGuino is still with the Karenmobile, back in Ohio. So, for the time being, no MPGuino for the truck.

However, I did finally join the ranks of smartphone users, and got a Motorola Droid Maxx. I also ordered a ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Bluetooth module, and will purchase the Torque Pro app once I get the module in hand.

I also corrected the aerocap itself. It was sticking out about 1/4 of an inch above the cab roof. It also had that annoying gap. The gap is now removed, and the aerocap is now flush with the cab roof.

(click on a picture to enlarge)

[Big Dave]

Excellent work!

With a proper skin finish it will be gorgeous. Graceful and pleasing to the eye.

The wind gets the last word, but airplane guys always say if it looks right, it probably is.

[freebeard]

Dorothy Draper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia doesn't have the quote but it does say she designed a pink polka dot truck for Kaiser-Frazer or Packard.

Originally Posted by www.goodreads.com

“I believe in doing the thing you feel is right. If it looks right, it is right.”


― Dorothy Draper, Decorating Is Fun!: How to Be Your Own Decorator

Have you considered a vinyl wrap?

[bondo]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Dorothy Draper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia doesn't have the quote but it does say she designed a pink polka dot truck for Kaiser-Frazer or Packard.




Have you considered a vinyl wrap?

I remember April and May of 2007 when I sculpted the Aerolid. I had never heard of ecomodder.com or ever seen Aeroheads template. I sculpted the clay model by eye in the old fashioned true clay modeling techniques I had learned at Ford from the old expert master modelers. These techniques were refined and done all by hand well before any computers or five axis mills.

I sculpted the Aerolid by feel, no wind tunnel or CFD programs what so ever, just me and the clay. I finished when it looked right and felt right. In 2008 I saw Aeroheads very useful template for the first time. I did an overlay of it over a photo of the Aerolid and it fit perfect.

I come from an aircraft prototyping background and what I learned there was from men like Irv Culver, who had no Engineering degree, but worked for Kelly Johnson's "Skunk Works" and developed the SR-71 Blackbird. I had the fortune to work with Mr. Culver on a wind tunnel model of the Avtek 400 advanced turboprop aircraft in 1986.

So I guess it is possible to create correct aerodynamic form, without computers or CFD programs, just from if it feels right if derived from experience.

Bondo

[t vago]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Dorothy Draper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia doesn't have the quote but it does say she designed a pink polka dot truck for Kaiser-Frazer or Packard.




Have you considered a vinyl wrap?

Actually, no, I haven't. I was not sure that I could get vinyl to sufficiently stretch around the curves. However, since you mentioned it, I did a little research into it, and might try using some spandex vinyl to cover the cap. It would seem to handle complex curves rather... nicely.

[ChazInMT]

Hubba Hubba

[freebeard]

On a full body vinyl wrap, they do everyting but the rear view mirrors. Those may even be possible, but just too fiddly.

I'd worry more about adhesion. It sticks by breathing air so air bubbles won't form underneath.

'If it looks right...' I read once that Harry Miller had a German machinist working for him who asked him about the inlet diameter to a supercharger. Miller held up his thumb and index finger and the perplexed machinist measured that with his micrometer. Right on the money.

[BamZipPow]

Originally Posted by t vago

I also corrected the aerocap itself. It was sticking out about 1/4 of an inch above the cab roof. It also had that annoying gap. The gap is now removed, and the aerocap is now flush with the cab roof.

You'll need to put something between the aero cap and the contact point on the cab or the aero cap will rub on the paint. A simple layer of tape will work fer now.

How much give will yer aero cap have when the frame flexes from the bumps and jostles of the road? Something to consider if you don't want truck to rip the aero cap from the attachment points when the bed compresses into the cab.

[t vago]

Originally Posted by freebeard

'If it looks right...' I read once that Harry Miller had a German machinist working for him who asked him about the inlet diameter to a supercharger. Miller held up his thumb and index finger and the perplexed machinist measured that with his micrometer. Right on the money.

Heh... sometimes, you just gotta eyeball it.

[t vago]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

You'll need to put something between the aero cap and the contact point on the cab or the aero cap will rub on the paint. A simple layer of tape will work fer now.

Good point!

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

How much give will yer aero cap have when the frame flexes from the bumps and jostles of the road? Something to consider if you don't want truck to rip the aero cap from the attachment points when the bed compresses into the cab.

Hm... I mistated that I had removed the gap altogether. It actually is still there, but it's about 1/4 of an inch (6.4 mm) instead of... many inches. The truck seems to like the decreased gap, too. This was to address the bed flexing issue, as well as the paint rubbing issue. In the sunlight, the gap itself can still be seen.

The FoamulaR skin covers the gap, with no reinforcements. When I go to skin the thing, finally, I might expand the gap some, and seal it with some sort of flexible door seal.

I really need to get that MPGuino installed.