RC Heli Forums - Winter skies for your heli

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 05:42 AM

Ok after the interest shown in the other post aboat winter skids i thought i would do some up on my laser cutter.
I have now got the laser cutter all adjusted for work now so the cutting begins. I so far just can do ones for the belt cp and raptor skids. If anyone wants to help me on drawing up for the other main helis out there i sure i can look after you. So far the skids are made from 3mm plastic, they still light so don't think the heli would strugle to much unless it was too small. Depending on interest i can do in a huge range of colours and also clears and neons. If you have any questions ask. i will try find out frieght to the US tomorow.

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 05:42 AM

more photos

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 05:43 AM

rear photo showing width

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 05:45 AM

So far i will do neon pink (which looks more like orange in sun light) neon green, and clear.

blax1

10-24-2007, 06:01 AM

Great idea Rappy
Just in time for the ski season :)

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 06:05 AM

What in Sydney :D

blax1

10-24-2007, 06:19 AM

What in Sydney :D
Ya mate water ski's :D

team222badbrad

10-24-2007, 08:23 AM

Rappy,

I am a cadder as you know.

I gotz a 30 size and a micro axe cp.

I need more info on your machine though.

What files types does it accept?\

Skies are looking great though!

I have a few suggestions though:

make them a bit wider
a steeper bend in the front and make the bent piece longer.
a better way to attach the skies to the heli. The zip ties will probably catch the snow, mud, water, dirt, etc. :D

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 09:08 AM

Cheers Brad. I trying to find someone who would sell a round clamp that i can mount them to the skid with like a counter sunk screw. all i been able to find so far is cable clamps that you use for holding wiring meant for your house. but it does not look that nice. I could always engrave the midle section out so the cable lie sits under the surface of the base. As for the tips, i don't have a plastic bender so i been using a small blow torch or lighter to bend the plastic at the ends. I pretty much leaving them for who ever buys them to adjust to their own angles. I think i will make the ends longer on them as well, as now that i looking at them they do look a little short. I going to get a few people to test them first before i really do proper sales of them. So pretty much the first ones will cost next to nothing until all the problems are solved and i can start selling for money. Our snow if probably different to the stuff you get but i would say the width of these would be able to handle the density of the snow we have here. Just to let you no. the main diameter is 20mm, and the flared diameter at the rear is 25mm.

As for the software i normally just use corel draw 12 as it simple to use. but the cutter has its own laser cutting software and it also supports turbo cad. In the other programs like corel it has its own tool bar for setting up the laser it self, ie laser power, speed and freq. those are the 3 main controls you need to get working together, for a neat cut.

blax1

10-24-2007, 09:56 AM

Hey Rappy here is my two bobs worth, you know the little plastic screw driver you get with the GY401 it has a couple of tabs on it that attach to skids/booms etc, maybe you can incorporate something like this and then just put a small self taper through it and the skid to secure, I realise this would add to the manufacturing process but I thought I would pass it on :)

Here's a shot of the screw driver attached to the boom of my C5

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 10:07 AM

thats not a bad idea rarph i am sure i can make something like that and you just solved the other problem i had cheers, I will show the improved version in tomorow

team222badbrad

10-24-2007, 10:53 AM

I thought of the spring clip idea days before you ralph.

That idea came to mind soon after I began thinking how to print some.

Anyways the only problem with it is that all skids are not created equal. :(

blax1

10-24-2007, 11:02 AM

LOL :)
I just plant seeds you two guys are the techo people :cool:

heliry2

10-24-2007, 11:09 AM

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 11:14 AM

I do have an idea and it based on what ralph suggested. it just means a couple more parts need to be cut. and it changed so each skid is only intended for that type of heli or skid. I think it will look good as well, and much more user friendly. Ah now my evening going to be spent drawing up some new parts :D
This is where a cnc machine or machine like what Brad has would come in handy

heliry2

10-24-2007, 11:19 AM

rappy you wouldn,t need to make any more parts
come up with a design no matter how crazy you can
make it as a single piece. the less pieces the better
this is what i do all day i have a building full
of 5axis cnc machines and lathes

team222badbrad

10-24-2007, 11:27 AM

rappy putting a slot for a cable tie in the center of the plastic so
it isn't under the bottom of the ski would be nice but if
i'm not mistakin you wouldn't be able to do that. why don,t you
and brad hook up i know he can do it with his machine we,ve been
doing stereolithography for years with auto parts and as long as he has
a good model he could put any type of slot for a tie or any size
clamp for diff skids like ralph suggested.he could
even make the ski the landing gear and make it all one piece
and just replace the strut with a ski

I can make mostly anything as long as it fits in a 8x8x12" box. :D

I have not put too much thought into the skies yet, I will cook up something when I get the chance.

Right now the only problem we have with doing anything together is distance. :(

As far as bending the skids rappy you need to assemble a fixture.
Pop the flat skid in, heat with torch, and bend to a stop.

You could cut some tabs out with holes and bend them to a 90 degree angle.

team222badbrad

10-24-2007, 11:39 AM

Here is some of my early works in CAD.

I spent weeks reverse engineering this robot all while it was still being built.

Here I am really driving it at a competition back in 2004 (hs graduation year for me) :eek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RMohFks6h4

Anyways I though you guys might enjoy it.

kcgraves

10-24-2007, 11:44 AM

Nice work Brad. Looks like fun, and that is what life is about.

Bet the CAD was done on a computer though. I'm from the board and pencil days of Technical Drawings. Things are too easy these days. ;)

heliry2

10-24-2007, 11:47 AM

brad if i whip up a design for a 450
all one piece what type of model do you need
it will be done in UG tell me the file type
i'll have it done sometime today and email it
to you.

Rappy1

10-24-2007, 11:51 AM

I have been looking into a plastic benderas i need it for work anyway. i don't make my money from selling heli skids :D . The most simple way would be to supply two counter sink bolts with nuts and just drill a hole through the skid and atach that way but to me that sounds like it might not be strong enoughas all the span of the plastic would rely on the head of the screw. What you suggested would work brad but the only problem is on the smaller skids like the 450 size ones the plastic still 3mm in thickness. so once it bent up it might not look pretty.
this is one of those things i will wake up durring the night and have the best idea but forget when i fall asleep again :D
To me what would be ideal is something that can be added and removed with out any mods to the skids. The way Blax recomended would probably take about another 30secs to do. but would also make the skid stronger in the way it could be done. Watch this space :)

team222badbrad

10-24-2007, 11:53 AM

I prefer .stl - no converting involved, etc.

In some cases I can convert .igs or .stp files.

Last night I went through a major process of trying to get a .obj file converted without errors. :eek:

printo3d@printo3d.com

heliry2

10-24-2007, 12:02 PM

i can output stl

WiscHeli

10-24-2007, 04:47 PM

Rappy snow is snow :confused: we get light fluffy to wet and sticky ,,, our toilets just flush turning clockwise :D

WiscHeli

10-24-2007, 05:04 PM

Here are my Du-Bro skis for a 40 size plane .... Mains 400mm X 58 mm .. Nose 200mm X 76mm ... maybe get some ideas from them :D

Rappy1

10-25-2007, 05:29 AM

OK here they are all mod to what you guys suggested.
1. width has been increased 20mm to 30mm
2. the tips have been made longer meaning more angle can be added
3. a better mounting system has ben done. now they pressure clip into place so the surface is now flush on the underside.

Rappy1

10-25-2007, 05:30 AM

and here is the clip that i have made and used. works really well and nice and tight.

DVS

10-25-2007, 05:41 AM

I like that, it looks great. ;)

blax1

10-25-2007, 05:46 AM

You've hit the nail on the head, now Rappy VERY :cool: :cool: :cool:

heliry2

10-25-2007, 10:09 AM

i like that rappy couple drops of ca to keep them tight or
brad put a slot through the rib for a zip tie that would
keep it very simple.

team222badbrad

10-25-2007, 11:01 AM

Looking colorful Rappy!

I can see multiple uses for these;

landing in snow or heli skying
just for show
helping with visibility in the sky :D

WiscHeli

10-25-2007, 01:52 PM

they are looking Great ,,, only thing do they turn on the skids ,,, meaning can they turn so they are not flat on landing ,, if you added a peice of CF rod ski to ski to stabalize them but then you have another thing to hang up on the ground

there i go thinking out load again :rolleyes:

DVS

11-13-2007, 04:16 AM

Hey Rappy1 how's the skies coming along ?

Rappy1

11-13-2007, 06:13 AM

hey dvs i just moved house, still waiting on the furniture removal truck to arrive with all my gear then i will get cracking into it. I will keep you up t date buddy :)

Denheli

11-16-2007, 01:40 AM

Rappy1

11-16-2007, 08:56 PM

Rappy1

I DO want some of your heli skis!! Color is not really important. I have a Mini Titan and I have figured that a ski 8 inches long and 1 inch wide would work perfect :)

Here is my email segna59@msn.com let me know how much for 3 pair, how to send payment (including shipping)

Chris
Hey there it may take a couple weeks before i able to get my laser cutter ready for work again, currently i just moved house and needing to do up my office it going to be in, as soon as it ready to go i will let you no cheers :)

blax1

11-16-2007, 09:04 PM

Hi Rappy
Mate there seems to be a big demand for your ski's, you better set up the laser cutter in your lounge room ASAP :)
Your new place looks great, and plenty of room out front to fly as well :cool:

Denheli

11-17-2007, 12:17 AM

Rappy1

Please let me know when you are up and running and we will do business, I have been telling other people abbout your skis and I can get you some business if you want. A lot of other pilots are VERY interrested in your product :)

You have my Email.

Chris

Denheli

11-17-2007, 09:08 PM

Rappy1

I have spoken to a few other pilots who fly the 450 size helis and we figure that 8 inches long and 1 inch wide will be perfect for the 450 size. We are willing to wire or send you some money to get these going. You have an awesome idea and product. For sure you have sales waiting here in Colorado.

Chris

Rappy1

11-17-2007, 10:25 PM

that sounds good buddy, i might look at buying some landing gear of the more common 450 helis so i can make sure i can get them to be the best fit as i only own a belt cp so they been based off its landing skids, I will keep you up to date with when it already to do a run of them, I should be able to get them all out b4 xmas, and hopefully before december.

Denheli

11-19-2007, 12:44 AM

Rappy1

Saw the skis you have posted and they look great :) . I will wait till you get settled in and set up. I know that I can sell 10 pair of your skis when you are ready to do business. You have a one-of-a-kind product here. Nice job :D

Drop me an email when you are ready

Chris

WiscHeli

12-06-2007, 04:19 AM

Rappy

I know your still working on your work area but when you are done and up to speed again I would like to order 2 sets of skis .... T-rex450 and the 500 ... dont know the lenth of the 500 yet No one dose lol ,,, i will try to add my order with a couple ppl close ,,, save some over seas shipping :D

Rappy1

12-06-2007, 04:35 AM

cheers buddy i should have the machine setup over the weekend, and start cutting them early in the week. they take no time to cut once the machine set right. i will get onto getting some info off you once the machine ready so they can be close as poss to what you want. i better get my act together b4 your winter ends.

Rappy1

01-02-2008, 12:46 AM

Ok guys skis ready for sale, i have shown you a pcture of them next to a ruler so check the size of the holes and skid length to make sure it will fit your heli. They cost $10NZD which around $7.50USD comes with all cable ties for mounting. self adhesive rubber to shock absorb between the ski and the skid instruction manual for mounting. it is universal fit you might be able to see in the photo slots around 35mm long for each skid mount allowing fitting to different length helis. The skis for sale do not have tthe engraved 450 on them that just for testing. I will go find out the price for frieght to the US once the post shop re-opens. If your wanting a pair just send me a pm with your address on and i will get back to you with total price of skis and P&P.
Cheers Nath

team222badbrad

01-02-2008, 01:08 AM

Looks great Nath!

Are they going to be clear?

If not what colors are going to be available?

I personally would like to have a bright color. The snow makes it hard to see since it reflects the sunlight.

Rappy1

01-02-2008, 01:23 AM

Hey Brad i can do in other colours too, most would then be 3mm thick rather than the 2mm current size, the alternative is to spray them yourself then it will shine through like a thick clear coat. If people are after a colour and enough want it i will order a different shade. They would be slightly more expensive as clear and white the cheapest plastic to buy, i find clear plastic more forgiving too. there is a very large range of colours from clear tinted plastic to mirror and most solid colours.