Mine cart -- correct?

agamemnus

I made a mine cart for an little graphic I wanted to make. It's not fancy or textured (as yet?). I'm somewhat concerned/interested in whether it's actually physically correctly done or whether it'll just fall apart/break/etc...

I did leave out some details that I know should be there -- I'm thinking the axle should probably have wedges (like a screw) in order for the lug nuts and wheels to be replaced in and out.

I'm especially concerned about the bottom part of it. I saw some other models and they seemed to have too few beams/support, but I dunno.

I suppose it needs some handles, but I'm not entirely sure as to where to put them.

Possibly the wheels are a bit too small in relation to the rest of it.

Here it is:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=cafad6bff2ed1a7b5acfb13a3a7aa1b&prevstart=0

hellnbak

I doubt there are any mine cart experts here, how much research have you done online for info?

tadema

Quite a few images here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mine+cart&f=hp
John

hellnbak

@tadema said:

Quite a few images here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mine+cart&f=hp
John

Wow, some of those are kinda cool. I might model some of the old weathered ones just for kicks

agamemnus

You never know.

Thanks for the link.

unigami

@tadema said:

Quite a few images here http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=mine+cart&f=hp
John

More proof that if you search for any object in Flickr, you will find at least one version made in Legos!

hellnbak

@unigami said:

More proof that if you search for any object in Flickr, you will find at least one version made in Legos!

And if you use Bulk Image Downloader, you can automatically download as many of those images as you want. If I set it to download 10 pages of the thumbnails, it downloads them all as full size images, which I can sort thru at my leisure. Really useful for all the reference photos I use.

Gaieus

Here are some from my country.

numbthumb

@agamemnus said:

Bonus: Also, perhaps a large sliding door on either the front-bottom or back-bottom of the minecart (where the "plate" is?), enabling the balls to roll out?

Unfortunately, I can´t help you with Sketchy Physics. But I think that the (standard) minecart features a hinged design that allows its base to rock back and forth, so it can be dumped to either side.
Something like this: 30-cu.ft.Minecar.jpg

So much for the sliding door

agamemnus

I see.

I'll assume that it would have to be set on either side, otherwise tons of stuff will be left behind if the mechanism is in the middle.

The mechanism in the illustration seems very complex geometrically. Would help to see a better view...

It would have to be something more complex than your typical bucket hinge; there would be great pressure with just one little welded tube at the point of contact (at both sides) and we can assume that these mine carts weigh a lot when full.

I guess I would need to do quite a bit of remodeling now to add that or something similar.

numbthumb

Sorry, I don´t have a better drawing. But there are lots of images in those links Gaieus and others have posted - it doesn´t look that complicated to me.
Some more images here:
http://www.railroadmichigan.com/miningequipment.html
Keep up the good work!

hellnbak

@agamemnus said:

The mechanism in the illustration seems very complex geometrically.
I guess I would need to do quite a bit of remodeling now to add that or something similar.

If you don't want to make a model that complex, there are several variations shown in the site that numbthumb referenced that look to be a lot simpler as far as the dumping function.

agamemnus

It's all visual gibberish to me. $:\$

I found something relatively clean --
http://www.railroadmichigan.com/miningdelaware01.jpg

It looks like it is just a simple hinge, but again it is hard to tell. It might be a hinge with some sort of spike (like: "|__" ) controlled by a slight push in the right way + gravity + a hard break metal thingy to keep it from hitting the wheels? I dunno!

numbthumb

I don´t know. If it helps, here are some more pics: http://www.wildcatmines.com/photos.html
If you are really determined to reconstruct it to the last detail, you´ll have to visit the nearest museum

agamemnus

I guess there are a lot of different types.

I'll give it a whirl and try to come up with something from my eemageenashun.

agamemnus

And the frame below the cart is still conveniently hidden from view! Anyway, I guess what I have will do.

I'm now trying to add some Sketchy Physics, but, ugh.
I added a part of a conveyor belt with some balls. (attached to this post) I would like the conveyor belt to move (the rollers are hidden inside!), depositing the balls into the mine cart. Can anyone help?

Bonus: Also, perhaps a large sliding door on either the front-bottom or back-bottom of the minecart (where the "plate" is?), enabling the balls to roll out?

mine cart and conveyor scene.skp

hellnbak

Looking good. I assume there is going to be a release mechanism and handles of some sort?

hellnbak

Also, the side of the cart would need some sort of reinforcement where it strikes the frame or it would get deformed pretty quickly. Just an observation

agamemnus

I do have a sort of handle on the side of each hinge. Perhaps this mine cart is fairly big and handles on top of each side would be too high to reach?

Edit: no lock/release mechanism; that's an issue, I guess. Not really sure how I would add it.

As for the cushions: Sure, makes sense. I added cushions to the model above.

agamemnus

Here it is with a hinge and rounded bottom. It swivels to slightly more than 90 degrees before touching the wheel axle supports. The hinge is actually friction-less with the addition of permanent + magnets welded on both part of the hinge covering and the hinge itself.

mine cart and conveyor scene 2.skp