Star Wars Prop Project  - Base Hacker System

Post Hand In Upgrades - Hinge Stiffening


Stiffening Hinges to Slow Opening


Another issue was that the prop is very vulnerable to damage when opening.


Problems


The magnetic clasps were very tight so a lot of force was needed to pull them apart.


This means there was a high likelyhood of a sudden violent opening of the wings which then could result in a very hard impact on the table causing both damage to the kit bashing and inertia damage from the transmitter towers on the stress points such as were they attach to the main body.


Needs and Issues


  • I needed a means to slow and dampen the opening of the prop substantially only there was a major problem with this in that at this point it would be a retro fit as opposed to being part of the original design as the hinges
    would be a core part of the structure and mechanism.




The issue here being the interior and exterior covered in kit bash components and the interior of the wings being full of electronics leaving little to no room for these complex bulky friction and soft close hinges.


  • Most of the hinges I found were configured to dampen closing not opening.

  • Most of what I could was not designed for the prop weight and size.

  • The systems for the most part were expensive.


Examples of Possible Solutions


These are some examples of what I found. These included systems based on :


  • Friction Joints
  • Friction Hinges
  • Pneumatics
  • Hinges
  • Springs

Allan Key Tightened Friction Hinges


I found some friction hinges which seem to fit and did have a little effect, but nowhere need what was needed.


Pros


  • Small, Flat and Only Thing that Could Fit

  • Like a Normal Hinge Only Thicker

  • Kit Bash Components Not in the Way



  • Adjustable


Cons


  • Not Effective

  • Not Slow and Dampening Enough

  • Forces too Focused

  • This Focuses the Forces, Torques, Weight on the Inner Side of the Wings Which Was only 5mm of Pine Creating Stress Points.

  • This has resulted in damage to the structure, spliting the box as the highest stress points. This would need some major work to fix, replace and reinforce.