SimBox NG

Troll, if you slide it aft you might be able to use it for the power control levers, like in a Ka-50. Just a thought.

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Not a bad idea.
I think I immediately ruled that option out because It might interfere with the collective. But I guess it would slide far enough back to get out of the way…

Must sleep on it.

Great input! Keep it comin’… :+1:

Perhaps not a straight slide, but a rotation downwards. Easier to build too.

Like on a pin that rotates around like an instrument needle? It would have to be very sturdy…

I looked into having the throttle slide backwards. I like the idea, but I would have to slide it so far back that I would have a hard time reaching the levers. At least if I want to be able to pull the collective upwards. I’ll let that idea simmer for a while, until I know the size and throw of the new VPC collective.

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@Troll how do you cut / work with your metal parts, by the way?

Jigsaw? Hacksaw? Docking saw? I’m hoping to venture into working with metals a bit more (still haven’t had time to start cutting the extrusion) and wondered if you have simple pearls of wisdom to share :grin:

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I cut the extrusions with a mitre saw, using a metal capable blade.
You want straight perpendicular cuts here.

Thinner sheets are cut with an angle grinder.

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Thank you! Hmm, that is a good way to do it. Pity I don’t have a good quality mitre saw. May need a trip to the shop… :grin:

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Don’t you have any mouldings that you need to finish or change…?
You must have good mitre saw for that!
:wink:

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That is a very, very good point! :grin:

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Checking the fit, before I put in hours of sanding, sealing and painting the RTT box.

I have changed my mind about the placement of the Control Panel. Instead of putting it on the slide, with the throttle, I will mount it on the frame, hinged so I can stow it.
That way I can still reach the panel when I push the throttle away to use the collective.

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The mount for the VPC Control Panel #2 is finished!

CP2 attached.

And checking that everything fits, when closed…

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Well, the VPC Collective is in da house. I need to attach it to my SimBox frame, but I also need to stow it when I pack the SimBox away…
I came up with a solution where I simply fold the collective 90° outwards. But since the Collective is at an upwards angle, in the lowest position, just folding it perpendicularily means it would be pointing outwards, into the side wall, when the SimBox is closed.
So I had to think…

I spent an entire day with my CAD software and came up with this. The folding axis needs to be angled, to rotate the Collective arm outwards and inwards, at the same time, if you know what I mean. I got the idea from a model airplane landing gear for a Spitfire, that I had once.

This is probably my most advanced 3D design, ever… Will it work? Printing has started.


Here’s how it looks from above. The folding part is attached to the collective.


The folding part will be held in place by an over center lock that is not in the 3D model.

Will it work?
We’ll see when the printer has finished… :wink:

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I love to marvel at my finished 3D prints!
The base is still printing…


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Finished!
Parts have been sanded but nothing else.
Used my mini lathe to turn and thread a hinge axle.




Mounted in the SimBox…
It works!!!

Excuse the mess. Seat has been removed for access.


What an incredible feeling it is to define a problem, like this, and then solve it.
Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve followed up on my Engineering degree, instead of getting a pilots license. I actually think I would be just as happy working full time as a construction designer and maybe just have a private pilots license to get my flying fix in my spare time, instead. But I had a dream. I was young, so I followed it. :wink:

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Read a few Dilbert cartoons then think about it again. Not saying all firms are like that but…my father was an electrical engineering working at GE then ABB (he held 7 patents) and I saw what he often went through. I earned degree in Mechanical Engineering with the idea that I’d spend a few years in the Navy then move on to a civilian engineering job…and we all know how that worked out. :grimacing:

If you love what you do then technically, you aren’t working. :slightly_smiling_face:

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True enough, @Hangar200.
I guess that you end up getting paid to do some sort of work, no matter what business you’re in… In retirement too, in some cases. :wink:

My younger brother decided not to pursue a career in aviation because he “wanted something less stressful”, so he became an electromechanical engineer.

Because engineering school, and the following career is completely stress free, right? :joy:

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Finished the new covers for the updated SimBox Centralkalkylator.
(Centralkalkylator 37 is the main computer unit in the Viggen)

The top.

Port side.

Starboard side.

And the front.

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Where do I order one? :wink:

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Thank you so much for the kind words, @B12!
I just love building things, I guess. :slight_smile:

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