On 04/10/2011 03:19 PM, Brian Lawson wrote:
On Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:47:57 -0700, Tim
wrote:

SNIP
Because the process is to put a flat piece of foam in the mold, clamp
it, then chuck it in an oven to heat. The foam* softens and expands to
meet the edges of the mold. Then you take it out of the oven and let it
cool, and voile! A part (or a mess -- it's best to enter any sort of
casting process with your eyes open).
SNIP

I've never done it, but it reads like what you want to do would be
achieved with blow molding. You could even put "tread" on the tire
then.

Interesting thought. Probably beyond the sophistication I was aiming
for (mostly hand tools, with bits & bobs turned on the lathe).

And I think blow molding is for styrofoam beads, which isn't what Depron
is. I'm not sure that I've seen styrofoam beads that are small enough
for a wheel that's 3/16" thick and 3/4" diameter.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html