5 Kommentare

I'm so glad I could provide more inspiration to you. If you stay determined and perservere through difficulties along the way in your journey, you will certainly become a pilot.

That's the kind of ambitious project I would love! I would need to sharpen my top-down modeling skills in my current CAD software so the project doesn't take an eternity, but it's realistic.

As an easier next project (for designing and creating), I was leaning towards a track at least half that length, like Brands Hatch, Red Bull Ring, or maybe Laguna Seca. But I may budge on this.

Thanks for the request! Don't expect anything soon, but check back later this year

Correction* check back next year lol

Thanks for reaching out! I greatly appreciate the interest. That tower design was certainly an effort, but the first version turned out surprisingly well.

I'm hoping to get back to the design in about a month or so, just so you are aware. I previously did some experimenting with "open" windows to let light shine through, but ran into some issues with print quality, along with difficulties in CAD providing a realistic/believable pattern of open windows (all windows open appeared more like a cheese grader than a tower).

I will certainly reach out and let you know when I pick this back up. Also, depending on my bandwidth, I may be looking for someone to assist with prototyping the lamp version. Let me know if you would be interested. I would provide the STLs for free, of course.

Best regards

Thank you so much for your support! :) Glad to hear your son likes it (mine too).

For the inverse/decline, I was waiting to see if anyone was interested in this design. I've got another design project Im finishing up first, but I'll aim to have the inverse version released later this month - as part of the files you already purchased (no extra charge).

I'll shoot you a message when it's released.

Best regards,
Nathan

Ah fantastic, thanks for the quick reply :)

I added the inverse/reverse version, as part of the purchased files. Let me know if you have access to it. As a heads up, I haven't had a chance to print it myself yet, but I'm 99% sure the models are solid.

Also, use the below code to download my full-version Macrotrack and Freestyle Park for free (will expire after this weekend). Might be something you and your son enjoy together :)

CODE: THANKYOUX100

Also, post a "make" photo, if you get the chance.

Have a great weekend!
Nathan

I've just seen the update, I haven't tried yet but will do this weekend.
Thanks again for doing this, I'll post some pics once done.
The code is super generous of you, thank you! Very much looking forward to surprising him with these builds :D

You too!
Lee

Hey Scott! Thanks for reaching out. During my testing, I did not observe any substantial change in max wind velocity at the nozzle exit when using the finned versions. However, the air stream leaving the nozzle appeared to be a little wider. That is, the non-finned version seemed slightly more focused - traveling a little further and maintaining velocity better over distance. I would try for the non-finned version. Just note, the non-finned diverter has very thin walls (0.8mm), so make sure you are able to print it without wall/layer defects. If you run into trouble printing the non-finned diverter, the finned diverter has slightly thicker walls (1.2mm).

2.0 currently being designed, and hoping to a have a prototype made end of this year. I'll keep you posted!

Awesome! I really appreciate the info. Will def try non-finned first. I've got all the hardware ready to go and my fans are on the way. Can't wait to start printing and get them on my rig. Thanks again!

Thank you for the support! I tried to be detailed with the assembly instructions in the posts, but I'll be responsive if you need any support during your build. Looking forward to any feedback you might have.

You bet and will do. Looking forward to dusting off my anemometer and putting them through their paces.

Hi Scott, just curious how the build went. I'm currently working on a V2 prototype (new design utilizing two of the high-powered Bgears b-BlasterPWM 120x38 fans) for release later this year. If you're interested, I'd be happy to send you the files once released, free of charge.

Happy New Year and best regards,

Nathan

Hey Nathan thanks for your e-mail and yes I'd love to have your next design! Regarding the first build I finished printing and assembling it back in the Fall and it went together great. Since then I've been trying to get it to work with not much luck unfortunately. I've done two different wind systems prior to this with the same electronics and no issues so not sure what I'm doing wrong. My fans work fine. I can run 12v to them no problem (bypassing the UNO). Do you use the standard UNO / motor shield combo that AM Studio and Boosted Media use? Only thing I've been able to figure out is that the Bgears fans pull 2.5A each and the standard motor shield I've always used maxes out at 4. Did you have any problems with this? I recently picked up a Cytron MDD10A motor shield but haven't had a chance to test it yet. Thoughts? Any advice you might have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you - Scott

https://ibb.co/LJWL0TB
https://ibb.co/nzMvfK4

They look sick! Just have to get them to work :)

To start, your build looks absolutely stunning!  The Cannons as well as your custom double mount for them.  The print quality and color scheme are both superb!

As a quick background, I worked on this project with a Sr Electrical Engineer (my experience/education is mechanical) who validated on his own custom wind sim (using two of the same BGears 6500rpm fans): an UNO Rev3 (https://a.co/d/1o0iZof), 2 particular relay modules (https://a.co/d/aVviELA), and a 120W PSU (https://a.co/d/bhaUQ07).  

As he described it, no motor shield is needed with this configuration if you're using simhub.  The fans will draw power from the PSU, and the PWM signals from the UNO Rev3 just tells it how fast to run. "Motor shield is really only necessary for non PWM fans so you can control the speed."  He provided me with wiring schematics to hook up mine in the same way (looking for these documents now).  

To note, my testing revealed the 200mm PWM (the particular one linked in my post) is too weak to have any substantial affect on air velocity. I could not find a manufacturer that made a high-powered 200mm PWM fan.  Max air velocity was almost entirely driven by the 6,500RPM 120mm fan.  This is the main reason I am creating a new version of the fan housing (planning to utilize two of the 6,500RPM 120mm fans within the same housing).

If you are interested in the wiring schematics used with the linked items above, let me know a good email to send it to.  Also note that the wiring schematic is specifically for wiring only your two 6,500 RPM 120mm fans.  He has expressed that he doesn't see an issue hooking up all four fans, but that may require electrical expertise that I do not have.

On a side note, curious what sim you play.  I want to guess either iRacing or ACC (I'm a big Assetto Corsa fan myself).

Best regards,
Nathan

Thank you very much for the kind words but, my printers did all the work :)

Yeah I figured you had a background in mechanical / fluid dynamics / aerospace (something like that) to pull off this awesome design. I'm an architect myself so you know....maybe above average understanding of electrical / mechanical systems at best. I try though. Over the years I have done numerous button box and wheel builds (mostly my designs but, some not). Most recently I built a Pokornyi Engineering GTE PRO v2. It turned out great!

https://ibb.co/j45swyX
https://ibb.co/f2NGHJ6

And here's a GT3 wheel / DDU combo I designed and built for myself a year ago:

https://ibb.co/Kq19VCt
https://ibb.co/5FFWPVs
https://ibb.co/nPsGxS3

Any way just sharing a little since you're a fellow enthusiast. And yes huge ACC fan but, I do have every other sim except iRacing (don't care for it). I downloaded EVO last week but, have not had time to mess with it just yet.

Very interesting take on skipping the motor shield. I haven't seen anyone do that and wish I had a better understanding of electronics / arduinos. Pretty sure all of the engineers I know wouldn't have a clue either. YES - if you can find that schematic please send it my way:

scottsloan71@icloud.com

I've already got some Rev 3's lying around and the other items you linked are ready to go in my Amazon cart. I'd love to get these cannons working now but, I'm very much on board with your v2 design. If you need any help w/ testing down the road I'd be happy to lend a hand.

Thanks again Nathan - I'm going to get off of here - Daytona starts in two hours!
Have a great weekend
Scott

Oh and on a side note thank you for referring to your tower design as the "Searz Tower". Might be dating myself a bit here but I still can't bring myself to call it the "Willis Tower". Horrible name and just wrong :)

I'm old enough to know the tower by its REAL name haha. It will forever be Sears! And your wheel/DDU designs are very impressive. If any are posted/for sale, I will likely give one a try down the road.

AC for life! EVO is feeling great on the direct drive FFB. A bit buggy and light on content (as expected at this point), but its future seems very promising.

Just emailed you the schematics, and I'll let you know when V2 is ready for printing and testing (hopefully within the next month).