Red's A-10C Pit

[KLaFaille]

Hey y2kiah,

 

It seems that depending on what photo one looks at, those steps seem to change all the time.... I've changed the layout of them three times now myself. The best photo I've found so far, and the one that I'm now modeling the steps off of is this one:

 

 

 

The way I'm seeing it now is the bottom with the nav select panel is one step, the HSI is another, then the ADI and Counter Measure panel are the third. for the side steps I see one for the Altimeter, and one for the VVI and Indicator lights. Same thing for the Accel and RWR steps.

 

EDITED TO ADD: Well now looking at page 51 of the DCSW manual, it looks like on the port set of steps, there is clearly another drop above the RWR of about .25" where the GUN indicator light sits. It still seems like the CM panel and stbd indicator lights are even with the ADI and VVI respectively. I also just noticed that the CM panel doesn't totally cover the opening from the previous panel. :)

 

Thanks,

 

Red

 

Edited March 20, 2011 by KLaFaille
More info

[Duckling]

Red, check http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66885 post #14

Added a few pics from real A-version instrument panel, centerpart and 'step' dims should be the same as C-version

(but can't say for sure though ;-)

[KLaFaille]

That is a superb resource you right there Gus! Where was that four or five days ago when I started this mess...

 

Off to do some more tweaking....

 

Red

[KLaFaille]

I redrew the entire Instrument Panel this morning with the dimensions Gus shared. Come to find out I wasn't off too bad on most of it, but now I'm happy that the steps are finalized and it's only a matter of finishing the instrument cutouts. Then it's trying to figure out how to make this thing for real.... :helpsmilie:

 

Also finished the instrument guage panel. 12 MS28042 clamps with the proper counter sunk and pan head screws, and 1.932" instruments will fit onto that panel along with a post light for each. Did the APU EGT gauge face, pardon the other 11 copies, just filling space.

 

Red

 

Instrument Panel - 1 - 21MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

Instrument Panel - 2 - 21MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

Edited March 21, 2011 by KLaFaille

[hog_driver111th]

Red, looks sweet. Are you going to be sharing your dimensions to the rest of us? If so, much appreciated. I have 2D dims looking at the main panel with the cutouts, but from a side vew... that's a different story.

[KLaFaille]

Thanks much,

 

I would direct you here to this great post by Gus (Duckling). It has the information needed for the height of the instrument panel steps.

 

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1145798&postcount=14

 

I'm not decided on whether or not I will release my dimensions, honestly. It may all depend on how things work out once I get the panel made and in my hands and can ensure that everything fits like it should. Don't take that to mean that I won't help people when they need it, but don't expect a full set of drawings or anything like that in the near future.

 

Cheers,

 

Red :beer:

[KLaFaille]

Moar Updates..

 

Finished the IP-1310/ALR RWR.

 

RWR - 1 - 21MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

RWR - 2 - 21MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

[KLaFaille]

Ok, here's what I've been up to for the last day or so, the CDU panel. My goal here is to get a tactile / pcb setup to fit in the plate and then secure the whole thing together with a backing plate with a connector breaking out the back. It looks do able right now, but I haven't worked out anything regarding the screen yet.

 

CDU - 4- 23MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

CDU - 2 - 23MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

CDU SYS BUTTON - 23MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

[Bucic]

.

.

.

Is it all SolidWorks?

[Avilator]

Nice stuff:thumbup:

Also what Bucic said: sldwrks?

[KLaFaille]

Thanks guys. Yes this is all from SW. The real CDU is quite thick, exactly how much I don't know. I have it drawn at 5/8" right now, which may be enough to get the guts in it, but if not I may have to thicken it a bit more.

 

On the real world side of things, I have a real TACAN panel / unit coming in which means one less I have to make. :) The fun will come trying to interface it.

 

Red

[KLaFaille]

More CDU stuff today.

 

I have a PCB design semi-finalized, depending on what goes on regarding screen choices and any modifications that may have to come about. All the switches fit no problem, and there is plenty of room left over for the integration of LED backlighting at some point. I have to figure out how to use some PCB layout software to get all the traces and connections put in place.

 

With my CDU being 5/8" thick, there is about .164" space left from the rear face of the PCB to the bottom face of the CDU panel. That is plenty of room to install a cover to hold the PCB and guts in place, but I have to integrate some sort of connector into this as well so again, it's all subject to change.

 

These are the switches I have sourced, for the CDU and the UFC.

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P12195S-ND

 

I'm quite happy with how it's coming along though. Too bad it isn't as easy to go from virtual to physical as it is to draw this up. ;)

 

CDU - 24MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

CDU SWITCHES - 2 - 24MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

 

CDU SWITCHES - 24MAR11 by KLaFaille, on Flickr

Edited March 24, 2011 by KLaFaille

[pitbldr]

Very nice Keith!! :thumbup:

 

I wish I could afford solidworks - those are some great renders!

[KLaFaille]

Thanks!

 

The student version is only $130 dollars give or take. And who doesn't know a student or two.. ;)

 

Red

[pitbldr]

Thanks!

 

The student version is only $130 dollars give or take. And who doesn't know a student or two.. ;)

 

Red

 

That's almost worth going back to school for!!

[Bucic]

Thanks!

 

The student version is only $130 dollars give or take. And who doesn't know a student or two.. ;)

 

Red

:huh: It's not exactly a legitimate purchase. In case of <something> you would have to prove that the computer you have it installed on is not yours but the student's. I'm not condemning you or anything, just saying that I would not feel comfortable in such a scenario. Especially in Poland with those overzealous police men and sorry ass courts (once you have to deal with the courts you ARE already in troubles).

 

That said if you don't live in Poland and you don't use the software for making money you should be fine.

 

Are you planning on actually taking advantage (in practice) of the 3D models (e.g. CNC) or you just wouldn't manage such a project in 2D? :)

 

P.S. Due to my branch and the certain usability approach and functionality I favor Siemens counterparts - UGS NX (competition to Dassault CATIA) and SolidEdge (competition to Dassault SolidWorks).

[KLaFaille]

Hey Bucic,

 

Student editions certainly are a "gray" area at times I'll agree. I just wanted to make it known that such software options exist, and I realize that you weren't calling me out.

 

Many of the distributors of .edu software do what is asked of them but really could care less after they get their money. It's much the same with the online computer retailers who have "full" copies of Windows for a couple hundred bucks, or you can buy the OEM copy for dirt cheap if you buy it with a piece of hardware, which could be a $3 dollar cooling fan.

 

$$$ talks in this world.

 

The corporation I work for (big defense contractor) favors CATIA for their design work, for what it's worth. :)

 

Back to pit, yes, these models are going to be used for the construction of physical counterparts. They are as dimensionally accurate as possible, 100% accurate when I have the hard data on an item. I'm more of a visual type of person and once I can actually see something, then it all starts to click. So to answer your question: No, if this was all being done in my head or on scraps of paper, I likely wouldn't be undertaking such a huge task.

 

I do enjoy doing this via model first because I can hopefully get all the dimensional problems out of the way, and when it comes to physically installing or assembling a component everything *should* fit correctly. Should.. :)

 

Cheers,

 

Red

[Bucic]

Ah, yes, using 3D CAD software certainly allows for checking clearances and dimensions and many times denies the need of actually making the '0' prototype. Also I guess seeing this in 3D, especially well rendered, gives a huge motivation boost, eh? :)

[Duckling]

Sweet setup Red. The pics are stunning and the setup is even better :thumbup:

[KLaFaille]

Thank Gus I appreciate the kind words. I'm just hoping that I'll be able to accomplish even a bit of what you've done already. There are a lot of thing I don't know anything about that I'm going to have try and overcome, i have much to learn.

 

Bucic, you nailed it on th head. Seeing a part on the screen let's me visualize in my mind what it will be like actually interacting with it, which keeps the motivation high.

 

Once the tactile switches arrive in the mail I'm going to take a whack at the UFC internals, my first attempt at creating a panel for the pit. I'm pretty excited to be approaching what will be my first "milestone" :)

 

Red

Edited March 25, 2011 by KLaFaille
fat finger fixes

[Deadman]

Try this for your PCB design :thumbup: Hum i missed the link http://expresspcb.com/

Edited March 25, 2011 by Deadman

[Total]

Damn Red - that's gonna be awesome and I can't wait to see the video of it all in action :D

 

Other options for design software (especialy for PCB layout):

 

Inexpensive 2D/3D CAD - TurboCAD by Imsi Runs abourt $80 retail. Thas a PCB library, but I find it inefficient to use for PCB layout.

 

Schematic Capture & PCB Layout - Diptrace The free version is limited to 500 pins & the pcb layout has an auto router.

 

Schematic Capture & PCB Layout - ExpressPCB. You can print to file (good when etching your own) and export dxf files. You just can't import dxf files. Also, no auto-router, but unlimited connections. (heh, Deadman posted his link after I posted this lol! Gret minds think alike lol!)

 

Making my own UFC. Nowhere near as authentically pretty as Red's, but I'm going for placement and function over authenticy in order to keep my costs down. Already have an X-Keys USB Matrix board, so going to use that for the interface.

 

Rough render of the panel I'm building (done in TurboCAD 16):

 

Edited March 25, 2011 by Total

[KLaFaille]

Deadman - Thanks for that link, I was actually playing with their software earlier today already. Mike Powell had mentioned he gets his custom boards done by them, and that's a pretty big endorsement coming from him.

 

Turbo - Thanks for stopping by and thanks very much for the heads up on the software, very informative stuff! :beer:

 

Nice job on the UFC you have designed there, it looks very functional and will definitely get the job done which is what ultimately matters. What are your dimensions for the faceplate? I ended up going with 9" x 2", numbers I believe I borrowed from y2kiah's pit thread (http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=51362) and which worked out quite well. I do have to update my original model to reflect my choice in tactile switch, create the PCB, and to remove the rockers I had originally sourced.

 

Laying out and making PCBs is one of the areas that is outside of my general sphere of knowledge and I'm hoping to wade into the kiddie pool slowly rather than end up jumping feet first into the deep end. Then again, my sphere of knowledge is getting smaller by the day at this point. :D

 

Thanks again,

 

Red

[KLaFaille]

Oh yes I forgot to mention that my copy of The Modern Hog Guide by Jake Melampy arrived today.

 

 

http://www.reidairpublishing.com/products/RAP03.html

 

What an awesome book and wonderful reference for all sorts of A-10 info and photos that just don't exist anywhere else. There are very detailed high quality photos of the plane and it's many components both internal and external, as well as stores and related support equipment. The book covers primarily the A-10A, but does go into some detail on the A-10A+ and touches on the C model as well.

 

I highly recommend the book for anyone who is even remotely interested in the A-10.

 

Red

[Avilator]

Oh yes I forgot to mention that my copy of The Modern Hog Guide by Jake Melampy arrived today.

 

 

http://www.reidairpublishing.com/products/RAP03.html

 

What an awesome book and wonderful reference for all sorts of A-10 info and photos that just don't exist anywhere else. There are very detailed high quality photos of the plane and it's many components both internal and external, as well as stores and related support equipment. The book covers primarily the A-10A, but does go into some detail on the A-10A+ and touches on the C model as well.

 

I highly recommend the book for anyone who is even remotely interested in the A-10.

 

Red

 

Agreed. Good buy.:thumbup:

Nice job with the 3D stuff, everybody.