Hi Guys,
As some of you know, my a level design and technology project is a dashboard/centre console for my kit.
Just done a rough sketch on solidworks to see what you think about it.
Main Dashboard will be bag press laminated with a carbon fibre laminate. Middle section will be made seperately, all of which will be machined. Most probably painted but with the circle cut out down to the top of the pocket a laser cut sheet of ally.
Sorry its not very clear, i havent sorted out all the edges yet but i hope you get the rough idea
Thanks in advance
Ed
Rescued attachment dt pic 3.jpg

Pic 2:
Rescued attachment dt pic 1.jpg

Rather than paint would powder coat not be better?

Possibly but its going to be machined out of a high density type model board. So a soft paint can make a really nice finish!

Looks very good and would finish the interior off well.

A couple of ideas for the steering column cutout...

1. Maybe think about building in some sort of cowl into the dash for the steering column - the standard Sierra cowl is never a great fit and always needs extending or the gap covering in some way.

2. Maybe try and get the bottom edge of the dash low enough so you can have a hole through the dash rather than a notch for the steering column. It might be more fiddly to assemble the column/dash/wheel, but would really give a "designed" for purpose finish. It's an area on most builds that people struggle to find a neat solution to.

All intended as constructive input BTW as I think the design so far is very good

I'd fit the big new mini speedo in the center



[Edited on 8/1/10 by Mr Whippy]

Thanks Nick,
I like the idea of building some sort of cowl into the dash. Have looked at trying to make the dash low enough so you can have a "hole" but there is very little room as it is in the cockpit so i think the disadvantages are better than the advantages if you know what i mean...
Unfortunately, i havent started building any of it yet, and there is a time limit ending in march so the cowling idea might be just too much todo in such a little time...
Thanks for the comments
Ed

The lower edge needs some shape to it as it makes the dash look to heavy

Agreed. I really like the principle and continuity of the centre binicle but the "passenger" side needs some shape at the bottom it give it some "finesse" and more importantly legroom.

I also like the idea of the Mini Clock in the centre....

IMHO

......Neil

[Edited on 8/1/10 by Nash]

Yeah i totally agree with you.
The dashboard will be a bit thicker so the radius will be legal.. But i was going to have a cut out for passenger leg room but the problem is, when you bag press laminate, it can only curve 1 direction because of grain. And you can't curve a curve if you know what i mean, so its pretty hard to put any shape into it without it being legal dashboard and curved at the bottom. This is why we are making the middle section separately to add some shape.
Thanks

I can get a fibreglass replacement for the Sierra cowl which incorporates the Acewell dash into it ie it has a sort of "pod" on top of the existing cowl which the Acewell goes on the front of. Let me know if it's of interest.
I know Eddie's using an Acewell because he bought it from me - sensible chap!!!

Hehehe U2U on its way Russ

Looks nice Ed. In the centre of the console you have a rectangle in the centre of a lot of circles. Can this be rounded off?

looking good and refreshingly different


Steve

quote:

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Originally posted by gottabedone
Looks nice Ed. In the centre of the console you have a rectangle in the centre of a lot of circles. Can this be rounded off?

looking good and refreshingly different


Steve

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Heres a slightly evolved version: Hope you like...
Appreciate the comments
Thanks
Ed

Rescued attachment Dashboard 2.jpg

Good looking.
I wish I had the skills and time...
AA

Thanks for the kind comment
Thanks
Ed

quote:

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Originally posted by russbost
I can get a fibreglass replacement for the Sierra cowl which incorporates the Acewell dash into it ie it has a sort of "pod" on top of the existing cowl which the Acewell goes on the front of. Let me know if it's of interest.
I know Eddie's using an Acewell because he bought it from me - sensible chap!!!

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Here is a little update:
Firstly a model to show how the centre console will be made in 3 sections, and this is the progress i have made so far:
Sorry for the size, will resize in a minute





Rescued attachment IMG_0131.jpg

Hi Guys,
I have now machined 2/3 of the centre bit and have had the ally laser cut.
Unfortunately today, i started the bag press laminating procedure. Unfortunately the carbon fibre formica snapped on the 20mm Radius at the bottom of the dash.
Its just too weak and i need to get this out of the way so i think my best way forward is just to bag press 2 layers of flexiply and then use some suede/alcantara to cover it. Unfortunately it wont be as waterproof but every solution has it losses.
Pictures incoming!