Placing another order soon.

Hi,

I'm placing another order in the coming week. So now is the time to nudge me and tell me if you're after something in titanium, that I can mass produce.

I have to replace an order for 5/16"UNC by 1" long bolts as the first lot sold out.

I'd like to diversify a little bit from the UNC and UNF threaded fasteners and cover metric threaded fasteners too. Below is a fairing bolt I modelled from the original which is starting to bubble under the chrome. Standard weight is 11.8grammes so a titanium version will be about 7grammes. I believe this also fits the Suzuki Hayabusa as well as the RGV250SP but it'll probably fit a lot of Suzuki.

I've also been modelling a part for pressing. This is a Mini alternator bracket. I'm hoping to sell it in a set along with the alternator adjuster I already stock and the bolts that go with it.

Other stuff I've been working on is stress analysis in Solid Works. It's pretty amazing! Model the part, specify the type of metal and add loads or forces to places on the part. Then you can see where the stress is. There is a feature where you let Solid Works have a go at making a much stronger part by adding a bit more metal and it'll make several different versions and you can pick the ideal one.

I'm thinking of getting some 5/16" by 3/4"UNF24 hex head bolts made as they're used on things like the Mini engine mounts.

Also 5/16" by 4 1/8"UNF24 hex bolts for the engine bracket pictured below. Standard weight is 42gramme so a Ti version will be about 25grammes.

That's all for now and hopefully the redesigned nyloc nuts, cross drilled washers, countersunk Mini door bolts are ready in the coming week.

Oh yeah! I can get titanium parts titanium nitride (TiN) coated. It's not the cheapest process in the world but it could be good for stressed parts like wheel nuts. TiN is a super hard coating. You may have seen it on the ends of drill bits. Its bright gold. Looks very Bling! :)

New stainless supplier and my work for Jaguar!

This morning has been great. I've found a new supplier for my stainless hose clamps, which means I can pass on MASSIVE savings to my customers. I have to buy in colossal amounts but that's what a shop does. I now sell a set of 9 Hi Grip hoses (The best you can get) for the Mini for only £15. I obviously bought the first batch way too expensive, but lesson learnt.

I can also talk about the work I did for Jaguar cars now the Jaguar concept car has been shown at the Paris Motor Show 2010. I did the artwork on the gimbal dials for the car, my good friend and colleague did the nostalgia mode for the dials. That's the artwork and animation on the screen below. It was a project that really pushed my skills and I learnt a great deal. I was closely mentored by the team and in particular my boss who had the vision and idea for the gimbal concept. A great deal of research went into the animation before reaching the finished piece.

I actually think the rotating gimbals would work quite well in a production car. Jaguar Land Rover is such an incredible company to work for. So professional and forward thinking. People seem very upbeat and happy there. I've not seen that in many places. :)

Here's a link to an article on this incredible car

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/257647/968bhp_205mph_jaguar_cx75_supercar.html

Shop update.

I should have those snazzy titanium cross drilled washers, titanium countersunk Mini door bolts, titanium spring washers for sale next week. The titanium nyloc nuts should be corrected and ready for sale in about two weeks.

As always, I fit the parts to my Mini first which means I test the products I sell.