The track manufacturing and process development team for the 1/12 scale model is a new team starting this year, and determining what needs to be focused on from the get-go is not yet entirely clear. However, several issues appear to stand out, according to accounts from teams working on the model from last year. Investigating potential changes by the bogie and track improvement teams and working alongside them to aid in a better potential track design will be paramount, and will most certainly provide direction for the track manufacturing team.
Certain sections of track were created by an external company (Vanderbend), and other sections of track were created in-house, leading to discrepancies and unequal end product which did not allow for uniform functionality of pod cars. We are to devise an in-house method for fabrication, or standardize methods to be outsourced.
Availability of stock for the project, and common means for its manipulation for use, shall be investigated. Additionally, any specialized processes, tools, or training that may be required to aid in fabrication shall be pursued.
Frequent discussion between teams will be encouraged to ensure pertinent details are shared and that each team has meaningful input to aid in the overall design.
Assessment of the bogie design and track design changes, and evaluation possible methods of fabrication for the planned designs this year are forthcoming. Assessment of available in-house equipment to enable support beyond the end of my time working on the project will aid those that follow in my footsteps.
Records of any fabrication methods will be used to aid in documentation for the eventual hand-off of the task. Ensuring that detailed instructions are provided for every process so processes can be replicated precisely will be helpful.
Some issues concerning the scale model will be highlighted in next week's post, after I talk with Kenny Strickland, a member of last year's small-scale track team.
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