Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 07-10-2010 02:26 PM
I have completed a digital model of the Apollo side hatch gear box, including the internal components. Here you can see animation of the disassembly of the gear box's major components. (Inset photo is the gear box on the Apollo 11 hatch at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.)
The animation does not include some items such as fasteners, springs, and pins.
I am hoping to be able to offer a full scale working model of the gear box to collectors, perhaps by the end of the year.
------------------ John Fongheiser President Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-10-2010 06:19 PM
The next best thing in lew of having access to the actual artifact - am sure many man hours were expended compiling this sequence. Any non-proprietary insight you can offer into the level of effort involved?
Do you eventually intend to take it forward and support object manipulation/VR type rendering (ultimately for the complete CM)?
space1 Member
Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
posted 07-10-2010 08:35 PM
It's hard to pin down a number for man-hours expended because they were spread out over a long period. Something on the order of months for sure. Some parts took only minutes, while others (such as the housing) took over two weeks. Note that some of the components are sub-assemblies consisting of several more parts. The disassembly sequence is based on the official Rockwell instructions for assembly of the unit.
Yes, my goal is to create digital models which can be used for visualization and for creation of physical models. It's a massive effort, but the results are rewarding. You can also see progress on the overall Apollo Command Module side hatch.
------------------ John Fongheiser President Historic Space Systems, http://www.space1.com
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-10-2010 11:14 PM
Imagine using your digital models to drive 3D printers that spit out functional replica's of the assemblies...
space1 Member
Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002