Depending on your model,
it may fly on rubber anywhere between .080" and .100". And since the weight
is limited, the thinner the rubber the longer it will be. Here is a rubber
chart to help you make your motors. This chart gives you the approximate
length of a 2 gram loop of rubber with o-rings. These values are approximate
and really depend on the specific type of rubber you have. Some rubber
is thicker and has slightly different densities than others, but this will
give you a starting point. This chart also gives a 'safe' and 'maximum'
amount of turns expected for each of the different sizes.
Rubber width (inches) | Loop length for 2 grams
(inches) |
Safe number of turns | Maximum number of turns | Safe turns per inch loop | Max turns per inch loop |
.080 | 18 | 2095 | 2335 | 116.4 | 129.7 |
.085 | 17 | 1920 | 2140 | 112.9 | 125.8 |
.090 | 16 | 1755 | 1955 | 109.7 | 122.3 |
.095 | 15 | 1605 | 1785 | 106.8 | 119.0 |
.100 | 14 | 1455 | 1625 | 104.1 | 116.0 |
I would highly suggest using
a pair of o-rings on your motor to help with the winding and flying. For
the Science Olympiad models I would use a -005 o-ring. You may be able
to find these at a hardware store but if you have difficulty then I would
buy some from a tool supply house or hydraulic/pneumatic fitting supplier.
I would suggest McMaster-Carr, part number 9452K13, Buna N O-ring size
-005, $3 per 100pcs.
www.mcmaster.com
Ph: 330-995-5500
To make the motor, cut enough
rubber to make a loop about 3/4 to 1" longer than the desired final length.
Slide the rubber strip into the o-rings and then tie a knot as shown in
the picture sequence below.
Now pull the rubber slightly
to create a loose knot. If you have a scale, now would be a good time to
check the weight of the loop. Because there is some extra rubber on our
loop, the motor will weigh over 2 grams, like about 2.05 grams. When we
finish the knot and cut off the excess, the motor should come in just under
2 grams. This process will require a few trial and errors on your part
to see how much weight is subtracted when you do this process.
If the rubber weight is too
much loosen the knot a little and shorten the loop and cut off the excess
rubber so that there is again about 3/4 to 1" of excess rubber. If the
loop is 2.05 grams or less then pull the knot tight.
Then tie three overhand knots
into the rubber ends to secure the knot. Pull the knot tight each time.
Then cut off the excess rubber.
The motor is now finished,
check the weight to make sure it is less than 2 grams.
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