Mousetrap Vehicle C

[FermiGod]

alright so our car design has its main frame and like a "front" piece that is adjustable but we have to loosen the screw or nut in order to adjust the angle and when we get the angle we tighten the screw or nut back. But when we do this it always gets loose. whats a better long term solution that will work?

[mnoga]

alright so our car design has its main frame and like a "front" piece that is adjustable but we have to loosen the screw or nut in order to adjust the angle and when we get the angle we tighten the screw or nut back. But when we do this it always gets loose. whats a better long term solution that will work?

Use two holes with one being the pivot point ... there should be no play in the pivot point. The other hole would allow a small amount of play so you can adjust your car’s curvature.

[sciencecat42]

How can I make my car go further with smaller wheels? I want to use 3inch diamater wheels for the drive axle

Umm not sure what you are looking for, but you can use a pulley system or extend your lever arm. If you are going for something else, well I can't help you, gotta wait for a person who does mousetrap to answer you lol

Our combination for the drive wheels is 3mm shaft (approximately 1/8 inch) and 60mm (approximately 2.35 inch) diameter wheels. We just wrap the string around the shaft.

Is there any benefit to having a smaller shaft and smaller wheels? We have a slightly larger shaft and wheels because I heard that 1/8" rods could bend. However, our theoretical max distance is also less than yours but I don't want to spend more money to get a new set of everything.

[MadCow2357]

Is there any benefit to having a smaller shaft and smaller wheels? We have a slightly larger shaft and wheels because I heard that 1/8" rods could bend. However, our theoretical max distance is also less than yours but I don't want to spend more money to get a new set of everything.

If I'm not mistaken, a smaller shaft means "more rotations" of the driving axle. Smaller wheels are not really beneficial, other than the fact that they have a less rotational inertia (I believe that's the term for it). I think it's widely accepted that the increase in rotational inertia is negligible when compared the distance increase a larger wheel gives you. 1/8" will bend, but depending on how heavy your vehicle is, it may be good enough. You could always try using a different material for the axle, like aluminum or CF, I suppose, and get away with an extremely thin axle.

[sciencecat42]

Is there any benefit to having a smaller shaft and smaller wheels? We have a slightly larger shaft and wheels because I heard that 1/8" rods could bend. However, our theoretical max distance is also less than yours but I don't want to spend more money to get a new set of everything.

If I'm not mistaken, a smaller shaft means "more rotations" of the driving axle. Smaller wheels are not really beneficial, other than the fact that they have a less rotational inertia (I believe that's the term for it). I think it's widely accepted that the increase in rotational inertia is negligible when compared the distance increase a larger wheel gives you. 1/8" will bend, but depending on how heavy your vehicle is, it may be good enough. You could always try using a different material for the axle, like aluminum or CF, I suppose, and get away with an extremely thin axle.

Wouldn't aluminum bend easier than stainless steel? Plus, aluminum/CF rods are pretty hard to find. I know that larger axles provide more torque, but I'm worried that they will get too heavy or decrease the distance of my car too much.

I read earlier in this thread that last year someone's 1/8" axles bent, but perhaps those were aluminum? Since mnoga claims to be using 3mm axles which are thinner than 1/8".

Also, how do you tell if traction is an issue with your car?

[DarthBuilder]

Is there any benefit to having a smaller shaft and smaller wheels? We have a slightly larger shaft and wheels because I heard that 1/8" rods could bend. However, our theoretical max distance is also less than yours but I don't want to spend more money to get a new set of everything.

If I'm not mistaken, a smaller shaft means "more rotations" of the driving axle. Smaller wheels are not really beneficial, other than the fact that they have a less rotational inertia (I believe that's the term for it). I think it's widely accepted that the increase in rotational inertia is negligible when compared the distance increase a larger wheel gives you. 1/8" will bend, but depending on how heavy your vehicle is, it may be good enough. You could always try using a different material for the axle, like aluminum or CF, I suppose, and get away with an extremely thin axle.

Wouldn't aluminum bend easier than stainless steel? Plus, aluminum/CF rods are pretty hard to find. I know that larger axles provide more torque, but I'm worried that they will get too heavy or decrease the distance of my car too much.

I read earlier in this thread that last year someone's 1/8" axles bent, but perhaps those were aluminum? Since mnoga claims to be using 3mm axles which are thinner than 1/8".

Also, how do you tell if traction is an issue with your car?

I’m now using 3 mm carbon fiber axles and I can almost certainly say they don’t bend unless you try to. Once attached there shouldn’t really be any problems with it.
You can tell if traction is an issue when the car skids usually (someone else might have a better answer to this).

[PM2017]

As for finding CF, I've been ordering via HobbyKing.

[sciencecat42]

As for finding CF, I've been ordering via HobbyKing.

I am a bit of a noob with CF so please excuse me if this is a stupid question. You can cut it with a regular hack saw and use regular steel nuts and bearings and stuff with it right?

edit: so I did some research and apparently it is dangerous to cut carbon fiber if you don't have the proper ventilation and everything.

edit 2: I don't think actual carbon fiber threaded rods exist. You can find smooth rods, but I'm pretty sure the ones on hobby king are actually carbon steel or some other metal.

I’m now using 3 mm carbon fiber axles and I can almost certainly say they don’t bend unless you try to. Once attached there shouldn’t really be any problems with it.
You can tell if traction is an issue when the car skids usually (someone else might have a better answer to this).

Also, I am considering using a carbon fiber rod for the arm as well. Will 3mm bend if it is twice as long and under the force of the mouse trap?

[MadCow2357]

I am a bit of a noob with CF so please excuse me if this is a stupid question. You can cut it with a regular hack saw and use regular steel nuts and bearings and stuff with it right?

edit: so I did some research and apparently it is dangerous to cut carbon fiber if you don't have the proper ventilation and everything.

edit 2: I don't think actual carbon fiber threaded rods exist. You can find smooth rods, but I'm pretty sure the ones on hobby king are actually carbon steel or some other metal.

Yeah don't cut CF with a normal hacksaw. That would get messy... Use a Dremel, or another cutting tool with a strictly abrasive blade. Best to do it outside. However, I do recall my partner saying that he was able to cut it very accurately with a miter saw. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

For threaded carbon fiber rods, it could be possible to thread them with a lathe? I don't know, I'm not an expert so best listen to other people.

[bernard]

I am a bit of a noob with CF so please excuse me if this is a stupid question. You can cut it with a regular hack saw and use regular steel nuts and bearings and stuff with it right?

edit: so I did some research and apparently it is dangerous to cut carbon fiber if you don't have the proper ventilation and everything.

edit 2: I don't think actual carbon fiber threaded rods exist. You can find smooth rods, but I'm pretty sure the ones on hobby king are actually carbon steel or some other metal.

Yeah don't cut CF with a normal hacksaw. That would get messy... Use a Dremel, or another cutting tool with a strictly abrasive blade. Best to do it outside. However, I do recall my partner saying that he was able to cut it very accurately with a miter saw. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

For threaded carbon fiber rods, it could be possible to thread them with a lathe? I don't know, I'm not an expert so best listen to other people.

Handheld rotary tools and lathe by themselves are not safe methods for cutting carbon fiber; both would disperse fine abrasive glass-like fibers that can easily accumulate in your lungs and irritate your respiratory tract. These fibers are also electrically conductive and can damage electronics.

If you decide you must use carbon fiber in your device, consider designing your vehicle around the dimensions of stock carbon fiber so you can avoid cutting. If you want threads, consider attaching a component that has threads rather than modifying the carbon fiber. And if you decide you must cut carbon fiber, process it wet, e.g. in a liquid bath, and dispose of your waste properly. Please read about carbon fiber safety before using it.

https://www.rhinocarbonfiber.com/carbon-safety/

http://www.fullforcerc.com/carbon-care/

https://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/pdf ... 0Sheet.pdf