myHPV - Resources
Here's a collection of resources you may find interesting. Some of it is required reading for all new
team members at UCF.
Instructables | Like our fairing work? Want to see how it's done? We've got full documentation available with lots of cool time lapse video. Things are on a step by step basis and give you a general idea of how we do what we do. We take pride in our work - and it shows when a judge ask other teams - "Why doesn't your fairing look as good as UCF's?" Pompous? Perhaps, but put in that much work and be that anal about quality and tell me you wouldn't be too.
Large Mold Making -
here's how we started to make our plug.
Tooling - we make a negative tool (female mold) from our male plug. Watch the video - you'll learn a lot. Some have questioned the need for making a flange. While it is more work, the benefit is far outweighed by the additional cost. The cost is ~$30 in supplies plus a few hours of fabrication. The benefit? You'll have a tool that will be less likely to twist out of shape - something that is incredibly beneficial later on in the process as larger pieces like this are more likely to torque out of shape.
Laying up Parts - again, must watch. A lot of preparation goes into a good part. If you don't have enough material to do a practice fairing (like us for cost reasons) - planning well will save time. The faster you get under vacuum - the better your surface finish will turn out. Oh, avoid using so much coremat as seen in that video - your scale will thank you ;)
Tooling - we make a negative tool (female mold) from our male plug. Watch the video - you'll learn a lot. Some have questioned the need for making a flange. While it is more work, the benefit is far outweighed by the additional cost. The cost is ~$30 in supplies plus a few hours of fabrication. The benefit? You'll have a tool that will be less likely to twist out of shape - something that is incredibly beneficial later on in the process as larger pieces like this are more likely to torque out of shape.
Laying up Parts - again, must watch. A lot of preparation goes into a good part. If you don't have enough material to do a practice fairing (like us for cost reasons) - planning well will save time. The faster you get under vacuum - the better your surface finish will turn out. Oh, avoid using so much coremat as seen in that video - your scale will thank you ;)
Links
International Human Powered Vehicle Association
WSIL HPVers - lots of info, you'll need a few days to take it all in.
Unusual Human Powered Vehicles - lots of links lots of crazy [cool] ideas.
Adventures of Greg This man currently holds the 24 hour endurance record. Read his blog history and build progress, you won't regret it.
NACA Duct Cooling - Don't EVER underestimate how much heat you'll make in a fully enclosed fairing. I don't care if it's 40 degrees outside, you're going to cook. Humans are, at most, ~25% efficient. If you're going to put out 250 watts for even a short period of time - that's about 750 watts of waste heat!
Recumbents.com - with a name like that, it ought to have some good info...
International Human Powered Vehicle Association
WSIL HPVers - lots of info, you'll need a few days to take it all in.
Unusual Human Powered Vehicles - lots of links lots of crazy [cool] ideas.
Adventures of Greg This man currently holds the 24 hour endurance record. Read his blog history and build progress, you won't regret it.
NACA Duct Cooling - Don't EVER underestimate how much heat you'll make in a fully enclosed fairing. I don't care if it's 40 degrees outside, you're going to cook. Humans are, at most, ~25% efficient. If you're going to put out 250 watts for even a short period of time - that's about 750 watts of waste heat!
Recumbents.com - with a name like that, it ought to have some good info...
Manufacturers
If someone is mass producing something, they've probably got a good idea or two. While outright copying
or cloning as it's called) isn't the greatest idea for innovation - it's a pretty good idea to make sure your vehicle works
first and secondly, is reliable.
Challenge Recumbents - one of our team members owns one of their 'bents. Challenge makes a highly refined product.
Catrike Catrike makes a well engineered trike. If you want a trike - this is the one you want.
Bacchetta - These two wheelers look incredibly simple. That's something that's hard to do. If you can find a place to test ride - check out the "tweener" handlebars.
Rans - Some commercial long wheel base 'bents.
Challenge Recumbents - one of our team members owns one of their 'bents. Challenge makes a highly refined product.
Catrike Catrike makes a well engineered trike. If you want a trike - this is the one you want.
Bacchetta - These two wheelers look incredibly simple. That's something that's hard to do. If you can find a place to test ride - check out the "tweener" handlebars.
Rans - Some commercial long wheel base 'bents.
Vendors
US Composites - we order almost all of our fairing materials from here
Sky Craft - it's nice having a well stocked surplus store nearby...
McMaster-Carr - you probably didn't need to be told this... But for that odd piece of aluminum stock - or that baggie of those perfect set screws... it's convenient...
Power On Cycling - For somewhat obscure recumbent bits - friendly people too.
US Composites - we order almost all of our fairing materials from here
Sky Craft - it's nice having a well stocked surplus store nearby...
McMaster-Carr - you probably didn't need to be told this... But for that odd piece of aluminum stock - or that baggie of those perfect set screws... it's convenient...
Power On Cycling - For somewhat obscure recumbent bits - friendly people too.