Open Source Car Concept

Wanted: NEEDS CLEANING and SHOULD ALSO BE PUT UNDER TRUCK

- Nice - Marcin

Conversation with Dan Foukes

It's 200/200, not 2000/200

No transportation outside of walking or cycling is necessary at that scale. For connection to other hubs, I suggest train. For transit to remote locations, I suggest a 200 mpg equivalent modern steam engine microcar hybrid.

   statement1) We have a concept in mind similar to Urbee. Can you help us draw a concept with similar aerodynamics? We are considering a 1000 lb, 12-18 hp, hydraulic drive car, first plain gasoline, then moving to hybrid.

   responce1) creating a vehicle form scratch, modify something current, or recycle something from the past?

Modern with a 3D printed body using an open source printer. Urbee has a printed body.

   for an example, google:cushman truckster.

Not highway safe.

   hybrid is still in basic development. what about bio-diesel? you can make it your self.

How about modern steam fueled by pelletized biomass? We should have this in one year. In the meantime, gas or biodiesel is fine.

   statement2)For the truck, we want a Unimog-like car with suspension, 60 mph. Main task is to design the suspension and steering, and then we can prototype. Once again - hydrauilic drive for add-on power units.

   responce2)what tonage is the unimog?

1 ton equivalent (F350) cargo capacity should be our first cut. It should have serious traction power like a F350 to do things like haul 20,000 lb of woodchips from 30 miles away, on a trailer. \

   how much tonage do you need? a ford or chevy diesel stake truck to run on bio diesel i think would work fine. would his vehicle be used to move the different equipment around?

yes, it would have attachment plates and hydraulic takeoff to handle anything that the tractor can.

   in your list of 50 machines, what about a crane or forklift for loading and unloading equipment?

There is already the Tractor; a forklift is an inexpensive attachment for the quick-connect plate.

   let me know what you think.

Conversation with Mark Rudnicki

   I think that Jim Kor might be willing to open source the Urbee if a good plan is presented to him.  I also think that you should lead initial discussions with him since you have clout (and I don't).

   I question if the RepRap machine can produce body panels that are strong enough and resilient enough to heat and cold.  Some early testing might be in order to check this.  We might find that the best option would be to use the RepRap machine to make forms for composite body panels.

   Do you propose that the only the rear wheel be driven?  Doing so would reduce cost by obviating a differential, shafts, etc.

I was thinking direct drive to wheels - with motors serving also as brakes. No shafts/differentials in any case - those appear unnecessary. One rear wheel would do.

   Do you think that a fairly large accumulator should be used to temporarily provide reserve power that amounts to several times the steady output of the Power Cube?  Such reserve power could be used for accelerating from a stop or accelerating into traffic.

From our prior discussion - wasn't pneumatics (with separate hydraulic pump attached to those) the preferred route?

   I think that the aerodynamics of the Urbee could be improved to reduce wind drag, which is the main load on the engine at higher speeds.  The Aptera has one of the most aerodynamic designs for a three wheel car that I know of and the open source car design could definitely borrow from it.

   What kind of windows do you think should be used?  Plastic windows would obviously be lightweight, but would be prone to scratching.  Maybe initially using an off-the-shelf windshield would make the most sense.

Let's get a subject matter expert in on this question.

   Are you against using a significant number of off-the-shelf parts for the open source car?  I think that they could be used to significantly accelerate the development of the open source car and could always be replaced later with DIY parts of the same dimensions.

That's no problem. 3D scan them and make our own later.

   Let me know when you'd like to talk again to discuss the open source car.  Evenings are best for me, but I'm available for shorter conversations during working hours.

How about 8 PM CST on Thursday or Friday? Let's use this Call number.

Marcin