| Chapter
2, Mile Post #3 : “Gathering the tools to build”
(Click here to read Chapter 1)
Start Date 9-10-08
Putting together a vehicle from original drawings and
a lot of finger pointing requires a solid and stable
work table. The first decision we made was to build
a “Bridge”. A Bridge will allow us to develop
three dimension positions for accurate placement and
measuring of component parts. The basis of the bridge
is a flat, solid and easy to work around surface.
Large dimension square tubing was selected by Glen,
the fabricator, to build the basic fixture.
A number of easy to use features were incorporated into
the Bridge design.
- Correct and accurate center line
- Plenty of surface to spot weld supports to position
the components in the correct location.
- Strong and stable legs to hold the surface at the
proper work and assembly height.
- And finally the rolling over-head Bridge for vertical,
horizontal and position measurements.
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The
Master Fab Welder “Glen.”
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Strong,
flat, and able hold the complete vehicle, the “Bridge”
takes shape |
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| When the bridge
was completed construction of the chassis began at once.
We will skip ahead in our story to show some real positive
results and construction. |
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Nearing completion the “Bridge” looks
great.
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The
completed “Bridge” with rolling measuring
feature.
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The
rolling Bridge feature in action showing the location
of the engine and chassis. Notice the laser level attached
to the top rail giving a center line to this measurement.
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The
Bridge being used setting up the front radius rod location
on axle #1 making the job accurate and easy.
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| Work
on the main chassis and frame side members went quickly
once the Bridge was finished. The push was on to complete
the car before the After Market automobile trade show
(SEMA) in Las Vegas in November of 2008. To build the
complete car in only eight weeks would require a concentrated
effort while keeping the mistakes to a minimum.
Work loads
and parts construction was speeded up by the use of
a water jet cutter and a “friendly” machine
shop here in Medford. The need to make assembly tooling
and parts at the same time is always a time consuming
project. The real trick is to be able to get the prototype
parts onto the building chassis as fast as possible
because the next part design in line is waiting for
approval of the last part to be installed.
The “Bridge”
made it all possible and made the project show a degree
of assembly quality not normally found on this kind
of prototype. Our third great Mile Post was in place
and working well. - Carl Myers
Click here to read Chapter 3.
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