New to fabrication and need some general help.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by LKeithR

Since it is just a simulator I see a few places where you could simplify the design a bit without losing the desired "look and feel"--would make fabrication simpler and help to reduce costs...

I was thinking the same thing. By separating it into smaller, bolt-together sections it would be more easily movable/transportable/shipable. Instead of coping the tubes where they meet the other tubes at the base, for example, you would put matching flat plates/flanges that would bolt together once in place.

[TEK]

Originally Posted by needsomehelp

Wow thanks guys for all of the quick replies
We also have a stand that holds three TVs that will need to be made but we can deal with that after we get the simulator figured out.

Originally Posted by LKeithR

Since it is just a simulator I see a few places where you could simplify the design a bit without losing the desired "look and feel"...

And here all this time I was thinking it was a 'Real Live Racing Car'...
Foolish me...... (slithers back under his rock--)...

[needsomehelp]

Originally Posted by mccutter

I was thinking the same thing. By separating it into smaller, bolt-together sections it would be more easily movable/transportable/shipable. Instead of coping the tubes where they meet the other tubes at the base, for example, you would put matching flat plates/flanges that would bolt together once in place.

With our first model/revision we were going to target local sales more so than shipping. That being said, because we haven't made any yet I am very open to any ideas suggestions to help make it shippable. Or any ideas to help lower production costs while maintaining the design. This is my first time working with an engineer on a project like this, and also my first time working with metal/metal fabricators.

I've been into these for quite some time, here is a mockup I put together with wood ~10 years ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sJQKGLblho

Originally Posted by JBFab

needsomehelp, I sent you a private message, but thought I would share part of it here.

One of the great things about living in a state littered with manufacturers is that a "specialist " is only a stones throw away. I work with a number of sheet and plate shops that are great at cutting and forming plate. They all do fantastic work and at a price lower than I can do it without their specialized and very expensive equipment. I can name 3 vendors off the top of my head that will do anything you want with tubing in the same fashion. The same goes for powder coating.

My niche if you will, is coordinating those suppliers, fixturing, welding, and perhaps most important figuring out the most efficient way to make the product while meeting the customers expectations.

I have worked for an "all under one roof" shop, and they are out there, but I have to believe that there are many out there doing it the way I do. It just makes sense to employ the strengths of those around you.

Thanks for the offer, I do appreciate it. I think logistically it would be easier to try and find someone within Canada first, and branch out if I can't.

[platypus20]

Sorry, I can't really help you, now if you need boiler parts (burner adapter plates, gas spuds or gas housing parts), wood stove parts or stack dampers, that I might be able to help you with......................

[JBFab]

Originally Posted by needsomehelp

Thanks for the offer, I do appreciate it. I think logistically it would be easier to try and find someone within Canada first, and branch out if I can't.

I completely understand. Like I said in the message, shipping a prototype would likely be cost prohibitive, but once in production it may be worthwhile. Please keep me in mind if you end up exploring having these manufactured in the U.S., it looks like a fun project!

[Grizz]

Just a little way out of the city, this guy can help you with a proto type and should be able to either do the production or steer you to someone who can.
http://www.emfrodends.com/aboutus.asp
you might have to hunt around a bit to get a phone number you want to talk to Clayton Kratz.

[Grizz]

new question, is this for a simulator? if so what type of racing are you simulating and where are the door bars if you don't need door bars you aren't really racing.

[needsomehelp]

There's so many cars to simulate, I like driving almost anything around the Nurburgring. This is one of the popular and accurate games:

https://youtu.be/42RKfA4qVZc?

[Grizz]

they did a great job on the track and it sounds like the physics, but why show the view from the center of the car instead of over the steering wheel. Dirt track did it years ago, and it feels a lot more real compared to any other view.

[DeepSeaDynamo]

In the simulator I would imagine the screen would be offset so you are stitting in front of the wheel. One screen being windshield and the other two being side windows.