Rubber Band Snaps

[sammyscioly]

Hi everyone, I am a middle schooler In division B doing scioly. I did helicopter last year and it went pretty good. This year there are many problems. The main one for me is the rubber band snapping at like 70 turns. This year I am not able to do enough winds since the rubber band is snapping too early so I have a less flight time. I am using a freedom flight. I use their o-rings. I dont think it's the o-rings I think its the rubber band problem. I am getting my rubber band from freedom flight too. I even lubricate with silicone.
Is there anyone who has the same issue with me. Or just anyone who knows a solution. This problem is more and more frequent. Is there anyone who knows how to solve this.

[bjt4888]

Hi everyone, I am a middle schooler In division B doing scioly. I did helicopter last year and it went pretty good. This year there are many problems. The main one for me is the rubber band snapping at like 30-50 turns. Last year we were going for 70-80 without it breaking. That got us a 2:30 - 3 minutes flight time. This year I am not able to do enough winds since the rubber band is snapping too early so I have a less flight time. I am using a freedom flight. I use their o-rings. I dont think it's the o-rings I think its the rubber band problem. I am getting my rubber band from freedom flight too. I even lubricate with silicone.
Is there anyone who has the same issue with me. Or just anyone who knows a solution. This problem is more and more frequent. Is there anyone who knows how to solve this.

Details needed to diagnose the issue: where is the rubber motor breaking, what knot are you using, describe your knot tying process, describe in detail your winding process (what turn count and what torque at various stages, how much do you stretch, how do you apply lube) I assume that the turns you mention are winder turns, if so, what is the winder ratio,

Brian T

Better yet, take a video of your typical winding and post a link to it here.

[sammyscioly]

So, the rubber band winds are somehow going around 70 turns but they are still snapping too early (I am using a 15:1 winder with .125 rubber bands). I basically use armor all protectant now as i used some random silicone last time. I am winding 50 turns while going back, stretching the rubber 3 times its length(40in) as the loop is 13" in length. After that, my partner reapplies the armor all, and I go inwards for more turns. By the time I am at 70 turns, the torque is at 1.3oz and then when I go more, the rubber band just snaps. Thank you for the response and I appreciate the help!

[bjt4888]

So, the rubber band winds are somehow going around 70 turns but they are still snapping too early (I am using a 15:1 winder with .125 rubber bands). I basically use armor all protectant now as i used some random silicone last time. I am winding 50 turns while going back, stretching the rubber 3 times its length(40in) as the loop is 13" in length. After that, my partner reapplies the armor all, and I go inwards for more turns. By the time I am at 70 turns, the torque is at 1.3oz and then when I go more, the rubber band just snaps. Thank you for the response and I appreciate the help!

Watch this helicopter motor rubber winding video by me for the National Free Flight Society https://youtu.be/o4UAXeURcSE?si=69RePv43eL6owYFV

There are several steps in your described winding process that you need to change.

Let us know how it goes.

Brian T