Hi All,
I am posting this request, as I need help and suggestions to find good websites regarding the construction of aluminium monocoques.
If anyone knows of any books re. the above that would be great but at first I would like as many website links as possible!
It is not for me, but a good friend who doesn't use the internet much and definitely isn't a member of any forum, but whilst talking to him,
I commented that there are enough engineers and people designing their own cars on here so thought it would be definitely worth asking!
Thanks to all, in anticipation of your help (would I get a better responce in another section?).
Kind regards,
Steve.
The Robin hood site have a section on
the lightweight ali monocoque chassis
Dave
that wasn't the sort of level of chassis building I was after actually - thanks though! I need more race orientated stuff tbh.
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Castle
The Robin hood site have a section on
the lightweight ali monocoque chassis
Dave
Ok I dont know of any book with the exception of the Stanforths book...Other books just scratch the surface.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Speed-Low-Cost-Engined/dp/0954514009/sr=1-12/qid=1172350328/ref=sr_1_12/202-1593072-6289445?ie=UTF8&s=books
High Speed, Low Cost: The Story of a 140MPH Mini Engined World Record Breaker and How to Build It
Monopin
Also search for Jawfish
http://jawfish.proboards43.com/index.cgi
Try GrassRoots motors
http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/board/search.php?search_id=1407253579
search monocoque
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/misc.php?action=search
search monocoque
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/search.php?mode=results
search monocoque
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=868&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=509909657fc561b8fc5a44033a9824b3
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Monocoque&spell=1
Try searching google images for lotus monoque.....in the image section...there are some good ideas of the lotus. Also other good links in the above
sites
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=40718&page=3
[Edited on 24/2/07 by dl_peabody]
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Castle
The Robin hood site have a section on
the lightweight ali monocoque chassis
Dave
He already has that mini book, thats what we were talking about when he asked me if I was able to find out more!!!
so definitely on the right lines there.
I haven't had chance to look at your links tonight, as I have been out building MY car!!!
thanks very much though!
Steve.
ps Confused, thats what I wanted to reply with initially, but didn't want anyone else to get the wrong impression!!!
most of us are monococks, a duocock just wouldn't be any fun
I have seen such a thing
But only in your dreams! 
anyway - back to the actual first post - I really appreciate DL_'s addition, does anyone else have any that they know are decent sources of
information?
regards,
Steve.
Race Tech Magazine had a series of articles by a Mr ? Pashley who was buliding
an aluminium honeycomb hill-climber.
Pics showed a mock-up in MDF; don't know if it ever got built.
Allan Staniforth's Race & Rally Car book shows an ali. honeycomb Terrapin.
Yes I forgot that one....
A while back I googled monoquce images came up with all kinds of trash.
Racing builders often have some pictures of their cars beng built....but there is big business in keping secrets.
Good Luck to you and your friend.
Please feel free to post any progress I am sure the community would be interested!
[Edited on 25/2/07 by dl_peabody]
If you can find a copy at a sensible price, this is a good book to read:-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0760302839/ref=sib_rdr_dp/203-0233097-1131165
Good luck!
To build an ali mono, as narrow as a Locost, you need to use honeycomb and double skins. The panels all need to be as jointless as possible, so this
means some fairly big sheets to start with.
Then, you need a big oven, to cure the adhesive to bond ali to honeycomb.
The RH is not the best application of ali monocoque, being just a tube frame sheathed with ali. The tubes being formed from bent ali.
Try and find some pics of late 70's to 80's LM car chassis, and you'll get a good idea of forms.
Cheers,
Syd. 
I hope this short paper will help you a bit. It gives you some short introduction into a honeycomb sandwich panel chassis.
http://fsae.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/125607348/m/4806034294
FSAE Forum is always a nice information source.
and a nice paper about a solar vehicle using a honeycomb chassis with detailed pictures and insight of construction details (7.3mb)
http://www.solarcar.ilstu.edu/downloads/Solar%20Car%20Safety%20Report%207-1-05.doc
both Trevor and myself have that book, and although it's quite a bit above my knowledge at the moment, it is a thoroughly enthralling read!
this is the guy's website that is doing the asking:
http://www.trevorfarrington.co.uk
but what isn't on there, is all the cars that he's building for himself to race/compete in classic races and other such things, ie if the
racing gets a bit to competitive, hill climbing etc.
Thanks to all the guys that have offered advice, as I knew what I was asking was a bit open ended, but there are some great suggestions there... I am
going to see if I can find some chassis pics of LM racers as per Syd's suggestion, and am currently looking through Vovole's posts right
now!
once again thanks to all, but if anyone else out there has anything please post it - I will keep on checking back to this post regularly!
kind regards,
Steve.
(and if he goes ahead with building it, I will post pics, or create a website for it! He will have to finish the one he's doing now though, as
it's a sponsored build and race car!)
cheers
quote:
Originally posted by NDC790
If you can find a copy at a sensible price, this is a good book to read:-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0760302839/ref=sib_rdr_dp/203-0233097-1131165
Good luck!
??
A good source for photos of older formula and LMP type chassis' is http://www.atspeedimages.com/
Dominic
quote:
Originally posted by Syd Bridge
To build an ali mono, as narrow as a Locost, you need to use honeycomb and double skins. The panels all need to be as jointless as possible, so this means some fairly big sheets to start with.
Then, you need a big oven, to cure the adhesive to bond ali to honeycomb.
The RH is not the best application of ali monocoque, being just a tube frame sheathed with ali. The tubes being formed from bent ali.
Try and find some pics of late 70's to 80's LM car chassis, and you'll get a good idea of forms.
Cheers,
Syd.