Long time, no post on my part.
I've missed this place. A quick update on me (for those that even remember
![:) :)](https://forums.scifi-meshes.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/smile.png)
): I'm in school for mechanical engineering in the snowy state of Utah. I still like modeling and I still like this place.
Project: I will be modeling the AT-ST for practical use (yeah right!), durability, and ease of manufacture.
Tools: SolidEdge, pencil and paper, math.
Timeline
1. Reference material. (Complete)
2. Process, system, and subsystem planning and overviews. (Complete)
('2a. Dimensioning (Assembly, then component.) Also identifying off-the-shelf components.
('3. Component modeling and simulation/testing.
('4. sub-assembly modeling and simulation/testing.
('5. Final assembly and simulation/testing.
Progress 1/22/2014
As above, I've nailed down the systems that make this beast up as well as outlined the mission profiles that it needs to fill. Given what I envision for this thing it looks like there's going to be some major design reworking.
What is next?
I am putting some thought into perhaps a Google doc or something similar to save this thread from bloat. If you think that's a good idea, please tell me so.
('1/15/2014
I've scraped together all the reference material I could on such short notice. I've included a few of the images below so you guys can get a healthy look at what I'm working with.
What's Next?!
Using the reference material I am completing a rough sketch of the capabilities (mission parameters) that the AT-ST fills and then outlining the major systems and subsystems that are required to realize the mission requirements. Once each subsystem's requirements are nailed down I'll be identifying off-the-shelf parts in order to reduce costs and facilitate ease of manufacture.
==== AT-ST Design Overview====
Mission Profiles
('1) Forward Scout
- high speed in foot navigable terrain (40kph)
- long range target acquisition
- low sensor profile (EM, radar, thermal, camouflage, etc.)
- 300+ mile operating range
- deep water fording (18+ feet)
('2) Close Combat Support
- mortar and light anti-armor weapons hardpoint mounting
- anti-RPG and IED identification and defeat
- sniper location detection
- drone launch platform
- anti-scaling measures and trip-line defeat
- close quarters thermal detection and IFF tagging
Systems
- Command and Control
- Power Source
- Mainframe/Skeleton
- Motion Actuation
- Sensors (Battlefield and systems)
- Hardpoints
- Computation (for motion, systems, and battle management)
- Communications
Posts
Interesting project. Practical or not, the AT-ST is one of the coolest Sci-Fi vehicles of all time, so I'm looking forward to seeing the modeling.
"floating" is not impossible. just put a superconductor in the ground and a powerful magnet in the vehicle(meissner effect), only works on your superconducting roads though. it just strikes me that for an armoured fighting vehicle(which is what an AT-ST basically is) the best improvement from wheels or tracks is to vtol, a bit like the gunships in avatar, as opposed to onto legs. considering how prevalent small high power sources are in starwars one would think that that makes sense.
:thumb:
Well, as practical as it can be. I'll be honest and say that I don't know how much of the original AT-ST will make it through this design process. I'll guarantee that there will be a lot of "mission bloat" on my part followed by trimming of everything that isn't necessary.
evil! Hey, bud, long time! How have you been? Also, floating things are more difficult, I agree. The N-1 appears to have the potential for a "real" counterpart. There's a lot of extra weight in the main beam (between thrusters) that wouldn't be necessary if the engines were mounted in-board. But that's for another time!
spacefighter: Watch this!
I'm glad I can titilate your imagination! I hope I can live up to the expectations.
In other news, the first post has been updated. This is really slow going (at least I feel like it is) but I'm making some progress with an extremely busy schedule... So I guess there's that.
I've been good. How about you?
Y'see, things like this are why I just build models and say "The yet-to-be invented thingamabob makes it all work." It clears up any "real" discussions.