We are working on our launch system for our backyard coaster. This system will work similar to Top Thrill Dragster which is an hydraulic cable launch. We don’t need quite as much horsepower, so we will be using a DC motor instead.
Let’s start off using a scale version to minimize risk and maximize learning curve. Let’s look at step 1 of making this launch system a reality.
So after an eight month hiatus, I’ve finally freed up some time to work on Tilley’s Terror, a three inversion backyard coaster.
I’ve decided that to minimize risk and maximize my current coaster, I’m going to do this in two phases. Phase 1 is to develop the launch, PLC controls and integrate it into the existing coaster. Phase 2 is to redo the track and add the inversions as well as some brakes.
In this video we are looking at the mechanics and structure of the launch system in CAD and discussing some of the design decisions made. Let’s take a look.
So I’m good at a lot of things, but there are certain things that cause me to loose it. The Rubik’s Cube is one of them and I usually end up angry.
I encourage you to push through these feelings and keep with it. Eventually you will succeed…..or end up swearing.
I made this video to document how I solve it while it was still fresh in my mind and all the subtleties are still new. Otherwise, I will appear as just another “expert” glossing over the process.
GOOD LUCK
So we’re building this new spectacular coaster Tilley’s Terror and the controls will be expensive. We want to layout our control box without wasting material, so how do we do that.
Quite simple, we use the paper doll method.
For those of you under 40, paper dolls were a kids toy where a cardboard cutout of a”semi-naked” (usually) female came with clothes that you could dress her up in. The clothes were made of paper and you could try on different outfits…..
Engineers use this method to layout things. If we were designing a new shop, we would have every machine have a scaled representation of it that could be place on a scale map of the facility.
You would then work with others to ensure that you had enough space around each machine and that the part flow from machine to machine was straightforward.
You would rearrange these until you liked the design and then implemented the solution.
We’ll we are going to do that for our controls box. However, instead of paper, we are using the actual components where possible. Let’s see how this process is done.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8G89qtU0HMpKCuXUr1hvWQ/join
As we begin building Tilley’s Terror, the first three inversion backyard coaster, we will be needing a hearty control enclosure to hold my programmable logic controller (PLC) and Human Machine Interface (HMI). There are some tips here that can make the difference between a box that lasts a few months to one that lasts for years. Especially since this one will be outside 24/7.
In order to get the most out of your controls enclosure you must select the right type of enclosure, use seals in any holes, drill your holes with lubrication, use terminal block and keep everything clean.
Let’s learn more
After months of hard work, its finished. I’ve reworked my backyard coaster the Black Widow in to the Widow’s Revenge. I designed the Black Widow to be intense and I double downed to be the most intense backyard coaster ever.
And I succeeded!
In fact, it is so intense I thought it was wise to rebuild the track with steel and reinforce the cart.
Watch the YouTube Short
