Oh goodie, I get to play metallurgist (again).
First, as noted in the exchange, strength is not the issue. A wooden
dowel (not recommended!!) would probably be adequate for this job. Any
aluminum alloy will work just fine so select whatever is at hand or
readily available, and in this case either 6061 or 6063 would be a good
choice. 2024 is a higher strength alloy and would also be fine if it is
conveniently available but otherwise not worth the slight extra cost.
The real advantage to Paul=99s approach is the ease with which the
=9Cfork=9D can be fabricated (does the manual still call for
using a hack saw to cut the slot?) not the alloy used.
Second, keep in mind that within the usual range of alloying elements
any metal=99s modulus of elasticity (how much it deflects for a
given applied force, in other words its =9Cstiffness=9D) is
constant, while the tensile strength can vary dramatically for different
alloys. Because of its length, the aft shoot-bolt must be sufficiently
stiff or it could deflect and bind in the bushing, and apparently there
are no examples of this being a problem =93 changing the aluminum
alloy would have no effect.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
Irvine, California
Europa XS
Rotax 914
S/N A070
Airframe complete
Avionics soon
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of GRAHAM
SINGLETON
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 1:07 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Door shootbolt rod material
Tony
the material as supplied was not very strong anyway, so store bought rod
should be OK. However have a look at the way Paul McAllister did it. We
used 2024 sheet instead of slotting the rather soft rod. Much stronger.
Also we put bushes in the door surounds too which the old manual doesn't
do
Graham
_____
From: Tony Renshaw <tonyrenshaw268@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 12 January, 2011 0:50:26
Subject: Europa-List: Door shootbolt rod material
<tonyrenshaw268@gmail.com>
Hi,
In the process of attempting to nominally increase the length of the aft
shootbolt throw, I cut the rod and sleeved it, but it now catches within
the sill as it actuates. I think I might just replace the pushrod with
new material, hopefully sourced locally. I know it doesn't have to be
very strong, so maybe hardware grade aluminium might be OK for the 10 mm
rod replacement? I could also possibly source the flattish rectangular
product Europa uses on the door sill shoulder width mod, but I don't
know its dimensions or what it is made of.
I am open to an requesting any ideas/suggestions on how I should
overcome this without international postage on a 1 m long item, a
fortune.
Thanks.
Reg
Tony Renshaw
P.S. The 10 mm diameter is an issue of itself, as I don't seem to be
able to get that size locally, but I do have a mate with a lathe, so if
I bought 1/2" we could turn it down.
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