Diamonite Electrathon America Racer

[Denny]

I saw years back someone did an experiment with beer cans as crumple zones behind car bumpers. What looked to be like a good idea on the surface turned out to not work. New but sealed cans were too rigid. New sealed cans but dented were too soft. Open cans were also too soft. Sealed but standing up not dented too soft. The point is there just was no happy place. The cans either reacted too slowly or too quickly. And that was just a one time use deal.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Crushing beer cans on your forehead is always fun. Just don't tell the guy that tries it next, that you dent the can with your thumb just before impact.

 

[Functional Artist]

Mr. FA... I had a realization last night. While using my own analog bathroom scale , I noticed if I centered my weight, stepped right in the middle, I had very inconsistent readings. I have to keep even pressure on the sides to get an accurate reading.

Idk, just something to look into.

Hey Edwin,
Interesting...next time maybe a good idea to use a "spreader plate" on the scale

Thanks for the input

 

[Functional Artist]

This science shyt makes my head hurt....

Hey T,

I've found that sometimes it helps ta draw stuff out

Here is a drawin' I did
...& I ain't even gonna try-n-explain

 

[Functional Artist]

I think that scientists and engineers have sort of set a reasonable president that closed cell foam is not necessarily a substitute for a spring/airbag/hydraulic device. I like how you think though FA, you know I love ya.

Hey EZ,

Feeling is mutual...my friend...as we have been "workin' together" for a very long time

IDK the concept seems to have some merit...ta me
...at least IMO enough to warrant some "real world" testing

Some more info drawed out

* Notice, this racer should only be 300-350lbs. (total)
...& there should only ~100lb. per suspension/wheel

 

[Edwin Spangler]

Hey Edwin,
Interesting...next time maybe a good idea to use a "spreader plate" on the scale

Thanks for the input

Bah you got me. I missed it.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Love your tenacity FA.
Now you have a baseline of data for foam squish.

Now let's move on to levers.
A simple mechanism for multiplying force.



At what proportion will 100 lbs of kart be held with 7 psi of foam?

 

[Denny]

Maybe it’s time you took one of your other karts and used it as an engineering mule. Modify the rear suspension to use your new idea as a proof of concept.