Day 113: Out of the shop, and into the wild

And the day has come. Finally, the chassis of our e-trike design is complete. We got the steel frames painted for rust protection and black theme color. As I have said from last time's post, we were delayed in finishing this part but now, it's already done. We can now go on doing further research and development of our half-finished product before having the casing manufactured in the fiber glass factory.

We also had a test run done yesterday (November 26) from the shop to our main office. It was fun! People were looking at us while we drive down the National Highway with our skeleton e-trike and our thick faces. Who wouldn't be fascinated seeing an alien automobile running on the highway? Good thing the TDRO was kind enough to let us drive on the street.

Watch and see the first complete adventure of our e-trike as we roll out from the shop to our Headquarters.



Hello, electric-driven automotive technology!

More photos of the chassis after the cut.

Day 105: It's rolling!

A long awaited update about Project Proton!

We admit, the schedule got derailed. Big time. We're so excited probably at first that we never anticipated the building of the chassis to last more than a month, which we projected would only take 2 weeks. Lesson learned, though. And a lot of lessons from life came suddenly into our realization. But amid the days of frustrations and loss of inspirations, the e-trike chassis finally was completed, like 95% of it is already done. The only thing left to modify is the braking system, since our earlier design could not fully function.

After we roll out the chassis from the shop, we will conduct test drives to assess its performance first. Housing production will then begin right after, to waste no valuable time. It's a new set of work to do. Nonetheless, the sight of your design functioning and moving means we're doing something right (haha, because if that trike explodes, then we're sure we did something wrong).

Here's a short clip showing the rolling of the trike. That's Allen, our CEO, currently driving our product. We're still checking the connection between the differential and the motor at this scene. Next time, we'll show the e-trike moving in a normal speed. The placement of the batteries is not yet final.



Bring it on, baby.

Day 72: Frames up, almost there

It's taking shape! Not your conventional chassis design, but powerful.

VOILA! Lower frame of the e-trike vehicle is now complete. Also, the roll cage on the passenger side is done. Next to be completed will be the differential axle position on the rear side together with the suspension. We are going to use semi-elliptic type leaf spring on the rear, same as being used in other common wheeled vehicles. For the front, we're planning to use the common motorcycle-type fork with shocks as part of the steering system.

We'll probably have the front side of the roll cage be done last, since it will require angled curvature on its shape. It's a delicate process, since the circular form will be the basis shape for the front fiber glass and hood of the trike.

In case you're wondering what the width of the trike is, it's approximately 1.5 meters, same as a regular owner-type Jeep. This will provide spacious leg room for passengers while entering or seating inside. Also, I checked on the clearance of the entrance and everything is good, with less constraint to the passengers.

Day 65: Start the production!

Finally, the prototyping stage!

About 2 months since the official Day 1 of Project Proton, we enter into fabrication of the e-trike we are designing. Finally, it's taking shape in reality from just the 3D models, system concepts, and electrical diagrams the company is working on (a lot of debating ensued too) for the past days. I can't release the final look of the product yet to the public, since we're still making last updates for its patent.

To cap off, chassis is the first to be created, as it will be the primary basis for the casing and shape of the trike, along with the weight and capacity relations of the whole product. I can say pretty much the frame (shown below) was done in less than two days. Minor errors did occur though they were fixed immediately. Here's a tip: one (especially designers) must always take in mind that precise measurements in working drawings are not always the same when being done in production. There will be an offside more or less to the actual measurements. The best thing to do is to monitor the production and instruct the builder well. Don't be afraid to discuss what you want to come out from the creation process. (But also allow the builder to work on his own. Do not supervise them round-the-clock; they will hate that.)

We're projecting that the whole lower frame will be done by the end of the week, and the rolling cage (the top structure) will be finished by next week. Final chassis then will consist of the wheels, fork, handles, and the axle and brake systems all combined and working well together. Hoping we get on schedule, production of body will start within two weeks. Now that's more exciting to see!

YAY CHASSIS! Apparently, my hands were shaking when I took this photo.

We're estimating that the whole production of this first e-trike will be completed before December. That will be the fastest the production team can handle, and we think it's also fair. We'll see to it that the prototype will roll-out as soon as possible, so we can have more testing done, details revised, and then release it out on the market early next year. This is going to be an interesting last quarter of 2012! Who's getting pumped up? Well, we are.

Til the next update, mates!

Day 42: E-Trike 70% done, finalizing details, things to come

September. If you've seen August, a sea of red covered all the dates. Note: thesis means consultation services

I know I've been documenting the updates regarding the electric tricycle project we're working on right now just in words on this blog, and I really haven't included pictures of the product itself. It's not that I don't want to show it to you, just that I really can't show pictures yet at this stage. I'm bound by company secrets, you see. But once the prototyping comes soon, I will be able to upload pics about it so don't worry!

The total shape of the electric vehicle is done, and probably will just have minor details to modify over the days to come. Final details regarding the battery system, and accessories including the hand rails, safety features, and stuff are currently last in development. The electrical parts though has been halted in operation due to some other problems the company are currently handling right now. But we are hopeful to complete our goals and milestones before the end of the month. (That means busier days to come!) So yep, cheers?

But I still have time to do other fun things though. Coming up this week:

Day 29: Project Proton update

I'm in a company of electronics geeks and I'm feeling awesome :D

So we're on day 29 already of Project Proton (a substitute name for what I termed Project X before). So far, certain issues have been tackled, and the design for the whole housing and chassis is near preliminary completion. Modelling in 3D is until the end of this week, and revisions and smaller details will be tackled on next week. Electronic component testing is also being done in parallel. If you can just see how our office looks like today, it's not messy, but every corner has some electronic bits working, humming and lighting up. Pretty awesome, I tell you. Working with my engineer friends was a good choice! And hoping all goes well, by the third week of September, the fabrication of the prototype shall begin.

I'm kinda nervous on how it'll turn out. My first ever automobile design, and the first ever marketable (of course it should be marketable) product of our own ReThink Tech company. Who's not gonna be thrilled by that?

I'm also happy I got my friends as my workmates, and we can debate and argue about things in a professional level and still keep the brotherhood as cool as it should be.

Til the next post! There's still a lot to be done. :)

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Plug it off BMO. Not sad, but that chapter ends here.

Day 1: Project X Design

It's a little stereotype but I'll be calling our first work as Project X for the meantime. And yep, it's Day 1 today, or at least the official start. We've been planning the design development of an electric tricycle (E-trike for short) for a long time. Something me and my colleagues at ReThink Tech Inc, our newly established company, are aiming to promote and contribute to the welfare of our country regarding the green environment stage. Although the project has undergone a lot of phases already, today is the start of the two- (max of three) month project goal to finish the whole product and release it to potential investors, just about the same time the government through Department of Energy will open the market to other e-trike manufacturers as well. Nope it's no child play, it's the dream we were aiming for to become a reality, and almost at grasp.

Also, half of the reason why I started my own personal blog is to somehow document the important milestones of this project. Will we succeed? Are we going to fail? I guess I need to keep readers and enthusiasts updated with the progress and regress of this Project X. Haha. Hopefully everything turns out to be full of fun.

For a little information about ReThink Tech, you can visit our beta site at http://www.rethink-tech.com.

Ohrite, back to work! Til the next post. ;)