I have all the bits I need to convert my WOT4 to FPV and tonight plan on cutting holes.
But before I do, does anyone have any tips/suggestions of how to mount things IN foam?
For my application, I am specifically thinking about the VTX which will be on the belly of the plane.. My plan is to cut out recess just slightly smaller than he VTX board so that it fits flush (with the top of the PCB and Heatsink above the level), but how to secure it?
I was wondering if I could wrap the board in cling film, and then line the hole with silicon, and then push the VTX in to make a 'mould'. But I don't think that it will add much.. Some kind of cable-tie would be nice, but how to get it through?
I could cut the recess a bit smaller than the board, and squeeze it in, so the foam 'grips' it, but its not idea.
Has anyone got any suggestion on the best way to secure it?
Jon
Edit: I should point out that if it was semi-permenant then of course I could stick it in (hot glue).. But the point here is that I want to have the option to remove it.. As I am still not sure what VTX to put in (600 or 250mw) and want to be able to experiment.
I use double sided tape and packing tape to secure VTXs and stuff
Quote from: hase2 on July 30, 2014, 12:48:06 PM
I use double sided tape and packing tape to secure VTXs and stuff
My problem with D.S. tape is that I am generally a bit unsure that it will hold or will be too strong.. I have some strong 3M stuff which isn't going to go anywhere, but then getting it out again would be tricky if not impossible.. But my light weight tapes just don't seem strong enough and since the VTX is hanging straight down, if it falls off, it would be a disaster (Although that side, it will be held in by the Power/Video and Antenna cable (I am using an SMA extension lead)
THats why I would prefer to hold it in place with velcro or a cable tie..
I was thinking about the silicon rubber mould idea, but then embedding a velcro strap into it... But I don't think that Silicon sticks to foam very well and the whole thing could pull out.. But I wonder.. Hot Glue? Perhaps I could make a deeper recess at one end and hot glue in a velcro strap... Hmmmm.. That might do it!!
M3 captive nut attached to a thin ply plate and embedded into the foam. Works brilliantly. Tiny weight penalty and easy installation and removal of gear as required.
Velcro.
Light weight celotape over the top if youre not confident in the Velcro. The Velcro I use is heavy duty and is hard enough to pull out so not guna fall. Superglue the Velcro to the foam tho, otherwise it wil come away woth the Vtx when you try and remove it.
Quote from: Ratty on July 30, 2014, 01:24:59 PM
Velcro.
Light weight celotape over the top if youre not confident in the Velcro. The Velcro I use is heavy duty and is hard enough to pull out so not guna fall. Superglue the Velcro to the foam tho, otherwise it wil come away woth the Vtx when you try and remove it.
One of the things I didn't mention is that because the back side of the VTX is 'lumpy', I have had mixed results trying to use double side tape (or Velcro) as there arn't enough high spots, so it only sticks on a few spots.
So where I have mounted them on a flat base (ie my quad) I have used some double sided foam to level off the back...
I think I might explore 'embedding' a velcro strap.. That would certainly work.
Use a smaller piece of Velcro. For something as light as a Vtx you only need a tiny bit. I have done it many many times. The Vtx will not come out.
Embedding Velcro is fine for larger stuff, like batteris (that's what I do) but not worth the effort for something as small as a Vtx.
Quote from: Ratty on July 30, 2014, 02:41:00 PM
Use a smaller piece of Velcro. For something as light as a Vtx you only need a tiny bit. I have done it many many times. The Vtx will not come out.
Embedding Velcro is fine for larger stuff, like batteris (that's what I do) but not worth the effort for something as small as a Vtx.
Cheers.. That actually leads me onto another question.. I tried to 'embed' so Velcro recenty and it didn't stick to the silicon.. I did a tests with sticky back and dry.. And when the silicon cured, it just ripped straight off.
How do people embed velcro in silicon?
Thanks for the velcro tip.. I might go down this route, but I still like the idea of a velcro strap, so I might do a bit of both.
CHeers
Jon
cut hole to shape, add 2 or 3mm to the depth. cut some double sided sticky foam to size, place on back of component, push into hole in foam. cover hole with very strong sticking fibre tape. job done.
that's how I do it.
and as for the use of any velcro... I simply buy adhesive velcro... sticky on one side, velcro (whether it be hook or loop... generally the purchase comes with certain length of both) on the other. sticks to any foam I've ever used... not sure about silicone, don't have any silicone on any of the planes I've had.
Quote from: BlueFlyer on July 30, 2014, 03:23:24 PM
cut hole to shape, add 2 or 3mm to the depth. cut some double sided sticky foam to size, place on back of component, push into hole in foam. cover hole with very strong sticking fibre tape. job done.
that's how I do it.
and as for the use of any velcro... I simply buy adhesive velcro... sticky on one side, velcro (whether it be hook or loop... generally the purchase comes with certain length of both) on the other. sticks to any foam I've ever used... not sure about silicone, don't have any silicone on any of the planes I've had.
I got the idea to use Silicon as a Parkzone plane I bought had a length of velcro embedded in rubber and it was a really nice solution.. Very strong.. But I have tried to recreate this and can't...
I will try some sticky back velcro later.. I am sure it will be fine and I am simply overthinking this (Again).. Cheers
Jon
I use gorilla glue and cling film to make solid boxes. A drop of water and it foams up a treat.
That's a good idea dog. So you wrap the object in cling flim, add the glue to the hole and push the object in the hole ?
Yeah then you can just open the film and it leaves a nice moulded hole which is very strong as it expands into the gaps in the foam. I used to make my battery bays this way for a long time on my los wings. Very strong.
Gorilla glue can be a pita though,hard to control how much its gonna foam up. Don't need more than a drop of water.
Quote from: dogzilla on July 30, 2014, 07:55:02 PM
I use gorilla glue and cling film to make solid boxes. A drop of water and it foams up a treat.
I have been doing exactly that, but with silicon. Makes a night mould which "grips". Problem is its a bit dense and not ideal (weight wise) if you need to fill a lot of space.
Cool I'll have to try that
Quote from: Brucey on July 31, 2014, 07:28:11 AM
Cool I'll have to try that
If you do this using Silicon.. Its worth doing a test to find some material which silicon does not stick too, as the wrapper.. When I was mounting my AutoPilot/OSD, I did a test of sandwich bags and clingfilm to find out which one repelled silicon.. ANd the cling film was the best.
So I wrapped my Storm.. Placed it in the fuselage.. Pumped silicon down the sides.. Smoothed it.. Let it cure (it has to be completely dry before you remove the film), and then was able to remove teh Storm, and pull away the clingfilm leaving a perfect mould.
Now the Storm just pushes in to its holder and is gripped perfectly by the silicon without the need for any adhesive.
With regards to my original question.. I have made the recess and installed the cables and to be honest, when the cables are in place, the VTX is pretty much held in place on its own with the tension of the wires... I think I might put a few dabs of hot glue in the corners to secure it which can easily be pealed off if needed...
Jon
Never thought of the gorrilla glue cling film method must try that.
Heres what i did for my vtx and uhf on my penguin, just used velco underneath
http://rangler.co.uk/finwing-penguin-ezuhf-rx-wing-mount/ (http://rangler.co.uk/finwing-penguin-ezuhf-rx-wing-mount/)
http://rangler.co.uk/finwing-penguin-vtx-wing-mounting/ (http://rangler.co.uk/finwing-penguin-vtx-wing-mounting/)
(http://rangler.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_20140721_130252.jpg)