Re: Paintball markers and design ideas [TANKS]

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-rctankcombat.com>]

Michael Brix Husted Henriksen wrote:
> 
> I see that many of the tanks have no suspension. I would prefer to add 
> this and I don't find it complicated to do, just more work. I wonder how 
> much difference it makes when driving the tank though. Even my tiny 1/64 
> scale tank seems to drive better since I added suspension to the road 
> wheels. Any thoughts?

This is probably "the" technical topic for this building season.  I 
think it is generally agreed that a suspension system would improve the 
vehicles and would reduce the fatigue on the whole vehicle.  But, it is 
also generally agreed that it adds complexity and more moving parts that 
could lead to failure.  So, the first generation tanks were built and 
battled without suspensions to reduce the number of variables. 
Everything worked, but we did have some failures of various parts that 
required us to "heavy-up" after the initial battles.

Suspension systems are starting to be seen on the second generation 
tanks, with a number of different approaches being tried (innovation is 
the cornerstone of this hobby).  With any luck, we'll see a number of 
the different designs on the battlefield and we'll be able to see if the 
added complexity and components is worth the effort.

Here's a quick review of the suspensions being built in the Maryland area:

Last year, Will "Heavy Metal" Montgomery built his SU-100 with a 
swing-arm for each roadwheel axle, using a spring in tension for 
suspension.  Since he uses  an attachment chain track, the addition of 
the suspension was straight-forward.  In battle, the suspension could 
clearly be seen in action as the vehicle gently rocked whenever it 
started or stopped, clearly absorbing the torque of the motors at 
startup and the momentum of the vehicle when stopping.  I think that is 
the most important advantage of a suspension system for our tanks.

Joe "One Word - Plastic" Sommer is in the process of building his M1 
Abrams with a torsion suspension (last time I heard/saw).  Since he uses 
plastic tracks, his approach is relatively straight-forward, although 
I'm sure he's tried various alternatives for materials and configuration 
until he gets everything perfect.

Steve "Wood Is Good" Tyng is designing a second generation TTS that uses 
a drive sprocket instead of a friction wheel, thereby allowing him to 
use a Christy (sp?) suspension for the roadwheels.  His prototype is 
both simple and effective, and in typical Tyng fashion, can be made out 
of wood and aluminum solely with a tablesaw (I thinks he cuts bread and 
lunchmeat using that thing as well).

Paul "Full Of Air" Pittelli is considering a suspension based on 
pneumatic cylinders for his S-Tank.  The hull will be designed to pivot 
like a see-saw over the center of the roadwheels to allow the gun (which 
is fixed in place relative to the hull) to be raised and lowered.  The 
pistons will allow the relative positions to be adjusted and will also 
absorb dynamic shocks when the vehicle goes over something, or when it 
starts and stops.

Anyone else building a suspension system this winter?

        Frank P.