Lunar Rover (prototype)

[Functional Artist]

Where ya gonna put a 36" pin?

That info is TOP SECRET at the moment
...but, I'm tryin' to get it de-classified

So, now I'm workin' on the front bearing brackets

It's kinda the same basic concept as the rear
...but, customized, a bit, for a different application

 

[Functional Artist]

More pics

I bolted the (2) bearing brackets together
...just to see how close they were

Good enough for "government work"

 

[Functional Artist]

After prepping the battery box/tray "bars" (in a few different spots)
…& the floorboard perimeter "bar" too

Then, I quadruple checked ALL of the dimensions & squareness
…used a couple of scrap boards, as a "jig"
…& also, a clamp to "lock down" the "final alignment"

Then, a few "tac" welds to kinda "glue 'em in place" while we move on to the next level.

* Added/installed a front cross member "bar" that also doubles as the front of the battery box

 

[Functional Artist]

Level 2

I made a "upper" front bumper "bar", about the same as the lower one
(& pretty much the same as the rear too)
…& aligned/added the bearing brackets

* The front & rear "bumpers" are specifically designed to NOT extend beyond the wheels/tires
(for climbing outta craters-n-such)

 

[Functional Artist]

After "tac'in" the bearing brackets to the upper bumper "bar", I slid the pre-assembled unit into place over the lower bumper "bar"
(the lower bearing bracket "channels" really help keep 'em aligned)

Then, simply lined the bumpers up
...& tac'ed 'er in place

That should help protect the axle, sprocket & motor (from them nasty moon rocks)

 

[Functional Artist]

Nose Section Level 3

The "nose section" will have a third level
...kinda like a "hood"
...but, it won't open-or-nuthin'

Double checked the "squareness"
...the right side needed a little "tweekin'"

So, I did a little "body work"

Then, triple checked the dimensions
...just about 33 3/4" on each side (from the dash pillar down to the front bumper)
...pretty dang close

They meet/fit all (3) points nicely
…& is/feels very strong/ridged after welding

 

[Bansil]

Liking it!

 

[Functional Artist]

While workin' on this nose section, I contemplated many ideas
…did a few drawing's
...& bent up a lot of pipe

Some of 'em would of looked kool
...but, just wouldn't work in the situation

 

[Functional Artist]

De-Classified Material

I (finally) got permission to divulge at least 1/2 of the pivot pin info
(since previous discussions, I've incorporated a bigger pivot pin into "the mix")

So, "goin' vertical" next up is the Roll Bar
(I guess you could call it, the main mast)

Had to do some adjustin/tweekin' (to the design & the pipes) to get 'er to line up
...but, it ends up/tops out, just a bit over 36"

 

[Functional Artist]

Latest News U.S. Space Force

Jan. 14, 2020
Gen. John W. Raymond is sworn in as the highest-ranking military leader of the newly created U.S. Space Force, adding a prominent White House ceremony that recognized the arrival of the nation’s newest, separate branch of the military.

 

[Kartorbust]

At least now that its separate from the USAF, it should have more autonomy to do what it needs to. People may give their camo crap, but I think it looks good.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Wait, is this for real?? That's AWESOME!

Now when do I get my X-wing?!

 

[Functional Artist]

Wait, is this for real?? That's AWESOME!

Now when do I get my X-wing?!

Yup, it's real
...NO "fake news" goin on around here

Ya don't "get" an X-wing
...ya gotta earn it

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Yeah I actually looked it up a little after posting that. That's awesome! Although, now we get EVEN MORE space junk!

 

[Functional Artist]

Roll Cage

We gotta add some support to the Mast
…& to the overall "space frame" itself too

I'm thinkin' a Roll Cage, I guess ya would call it, should do the trick

The "roll cage" bars will do a "3-way connection"
...just like the "hood bars" did

Each side will start @/connect to the roll bar
...then, cross/connect with a dash pillar
…& finally, terminate into a hood bar

 

[Functional Artist]

Longi-tudally striped (2) (~60") pieces of pipe
...then, marked 'em @ 3" intervals
…& did some bendin'

Roll Cage Bending Formula
0-0-2-2-2-3-3-3-3-3-3-5-5-5-5-8-8-8-0-0

Then, trimmed ~12" off of the "rear" end of both pipes
(For maximum "head room" the apex of the curve needs to be right over where the Astro-driver's head would be)

Looks pretty close to the drawing/plan

Next, we gotta trim off the dash pillars
…& also, the "front" end of both "roll cage" pipes, where they are to terminate, @ the "hood"

 

[gegcorp2012]

I like the gently rounded bend... looking like a moon buggy for sure.

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

 

[Functional Artist]

I marked the front end of the "roll cage" pipes
...& cut 'em off
Yup, that's snow on the ground
Next, I had to do some fittin'

So, a little trimmin'
...a little more trimmin'
…& a little more trimmin'

 

[Functional Artist]

The top of the roll bar was "off" (out of alignment with the pivot pin) by ~1/2"

So, I used a ratchet strap to evenly & incrementally draw 'er in a bit

Also, added a couple of dual purpose "cross bars"

The lower one is also the bottom of the wind screen
…& the top one is "well" for the top

 

[Functional Artist]

First Stage Separation

Everything seemed to be "tacked" sufficiently

So, I removed all of the clamps & pins that held the "main frame/space frame" to the "alignment board"

Now, I can report that the first stage separation has been a huge success

Next up, lots & lots of welding

*Seems pretty rigid already