Friday 1 June 2007
Material for Chimera B0
Chimera is in the process of selecting the material, and supplier, for the main motor tube. The type of aluminium alloy, as well as its wall thickness is important. The tube must withstand great pressure. The problem is complex, for ideally we would like to make a 38mm motor, to fit standard motor tubes and retainers. If the walls are, say, 2mm thick, then the inside diameter is 34mm. The problem is, such a size is very rare, or impossible, to find for the plastic rod for reload/fuel.
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Mark - there is a company, BA Tubes, which does high quality tubing, but only in certain sizes. For example, not 38mm, but 40mm OD, walls 3mm, 4mm, 5mm etc. So, for Chimera B0 (bench), we could use 40mm tubing, 5mm walls (VERY safe) and use 30mm HDPE (which is a commonly available size.) The plastic tends to come in 30,35,40mm OD, with PVC having the extra size 32mm.
What size motor is intended?
We are intending to make a 38mm motor, to fit standard 38mm motor mounts and retainers. The length of the motor will determine its power. Too long and it is too heavy. But hybrid motors are quite long, to get enough fuel. The motor could be as long as 75cm
It is possible that if we cannot get 38mm aluminium tubing, with the right wall diameter, so that the ID (inside diameter) is right for a standard type of plastic fuel rod, then we may have to use a different motor OD (outside diameter).
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