DRI: Aidan Lehal Salman Rasheed
Just add design decisions, considerations, and updates etc. Treat this as a paper trail.
The goal is that a random person should be able to pick up this log and get a really strong idea of your project and how it has reached the state that its currently in
Criteria:
Base needs to be sturdy
Ribs need to be (perfectly) parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the base in order to ensure curvature accuracy
Limit cost/try to use material already in the bay
Constraints
Ribs are being made out of metal
First Design
Base Cad: Using pipes already in the bay, a simple frame to support and hold the ribs was crafted. The tubes are 1.25” in diameter and aluminum.
The tubes (grey circular) will be welded together using a jig, and the ribs (Orange) will be welded with the same jig.
Welding Jig
Welding jig supporting horizontal pipe while aligning rib at designated location.
Welding Jig supporting two tubes to create a T joint or corner once welded
MDF Mold:
Made out of MDF, slots for ribs to be placed, with hardstops at the front and back to prevent movement.
MDF does not require welding
MDF base can be reused by removing the ribs from the slots and replacing them with new ones (that fit a different panel)
MDF will have to be purchased
Aluminum Tube Mold w/ Slots
Made out of tubes as cadded above
Tubes have slots that allow for ribs to be inserted and removed in the event of recycling a mold
This method uses tube we already have
This method does not require RIB welding
Aluminum and fully welded/adhered:
Sturdy and one shape use, very durable
Requires welding (will need to see what aluminum tubes can withstand) or adhesive
After review of the potential options, an MDF base was chosen. The ability to replace ribs for a different mold was an advantage we wanted to utilize. We also did not require any welding or glue of any sort. We would use cutouts in the MDF to position the planks and wood screws to solidify their position.
MDF base rough sketch:
MDF base submitted for design review 04/13/21:
Next steps:
Add second screw for the perimeter to horizontal beams (at the slots)Add inner and outer 90 degree corner brackets for additional supportFind out woodshop's CNC envelope8'x4' (one MDF sheet will fit)
Updated base w outer and inner brackets + screw holes:
Manufacturing Plan for Base:
CNC out rib, side, and hard-stop planks
Use a 90 degree angle clamp, or two clamps and a square to screw a bracket into a side plank and hard-stop plank. Repeat for all four corners to form a rectangular frame.
Screw a bracket onto either side of a rib plank, repeat for all the rib planks.
Use the 90 degree angle clamp to screw in the rib planks to the side planks, as well the a bracket on each side of the rib planks to the side plank.
Materials List:
8 Rib Planks (cut to length with slots)
2 Side Planks
2 Hard-stop Planks
20 Aluminum Brackets (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-2-1-2-in-Zinc-Plated-Double-Wide-Corner-Brace-8-Pack-12434/315016358 )
>150 3/4” Wood Screws
Impact Drill/Drill/Screwdriver
90degree Clamp/Blocks
Shims the same height as the clamp/blocks