Started school - got some new projects in mind too.

[BP-Revo]

Well, just this last Thursday was my first day of college (Cal Poly Pomona). Wasn't anything too special, other than the fact parking is about 200X harder to get than high school. But other than that it really wasn't that different to me (at least not yet). The campus is bigger and they seem to baby you less, which is nice.

But on Friday, I had my first Mechanical Engineering Orientation class, and they showed us all the different shops they had. Apparently, after a few classes, I'll have full access to a CNC's, Lathes, and anything I can really dream of.

So as soon as classes allow (and hopefully I can actually use these to complete some assignments) I plan to start (or continue) some projects.

First would be my Revo truggy. This one has been started, but its going to take some time to get everything worked out. The cool thing is my school has a 3D printer, which can pretty much make anything 3D out of PVC or ABS plastic, so I can have the designs printed so I can test fit and not have to waste spectacular amounts of money on metal and machining time. This project is going to take some time. Estimated completion is probably Summer of 2009 at earliest.

The next project is one that should be finished earlier. I'm going to redesign the CRT .5 chassis to add slightly more length, and to help redistribute weight more. I have a feeling I can further lower the CG too, which will help add to stability and give me more traction. This project won't be as hard and wont take too long. It really just depends on when I get around to it.

I've been absent a while so I just wanted to let you guys know I'm still here and got some stuff up my sleeves.

[suicideneil]

Those 3D printer things are awesome- seen them used to model unborn babies (using sonar sound scans), and bits of broken jaw which had to be rebuilt, fascinating technology.

[JThiessen]

I attended the Rapid Prototyping Symposium in Florida this year, and yes, its amazing what the 3D printing systems can do now. We are supposed to be purchasing a Dimension system to put right behind my desk! Just waiting for funding. Suprisingly, they are only about 30K. Its the 200bucks a pack for the plastic that kills you.
There was a guy there from Chicage that had a RC truck he built for a customer (I have the link to their website at work). It is on the lines of the Slayer/Slash setup, but its overall design is quite a bit heavier. I tried hard to buy the prototype model from him - but he wouldn't budge! Would have been cool to have a one of a kind truck. He did bring the remote in on the last day so I could drive it.

we've got a Dimension ST2100 at my work.. I'm working on a new drivetrain layout for my lsp.. after I get everything designed, I'm planning to use the printer to make all the mounts.. and if it works, I'll ask our machine shop to machine out of 6061.

[MetalMan]

Maybe I should've gone to Cal Poly Pomona instead... Nah, I can still use the manual mills/lathes at UCI (but my skills need some touching up).

So what do you think of Cal Poly Pomona so far?

[JThiessen]

Here is the RC truck they prototyped: http://www.thundertechracing.com/

Unfortunatley for him, Traxxas and the other majors likely put him out of business a month or so after he made his.