J-Trak. A portable, modular table system for Scalextric Sport & Digital track. - Page 1 of 9

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Brent Morrison
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1 A portable, modular table system for Scalextric Sport & Digital track - Page 1 of 9

Outline is a project to design a modular table system for portable slot tracks using the Scalextric Sport and Digital track systems. The first aim is to develop a system of track tables which can be.

2 Outline is a project to design a modular table system for portable slot tracks using the Scalextric Sport and Digital track systems. The first aim is to develop a system of track tables which can be... Easily transported to a club night or public event in the back of a car. Assembled quickly and easily on site Packed away and stored between events, and/or used in a smaller format for home use. The desire for a portable Scalextric track is by no means new, in fact it's been tried many times before and there have been many fine examples produced. But most of those examples we're not truly modular, and had little or no flexibility or scalability. In other words, there was only one layout possible, they couldn't be expanded, and they couldn't be rearranged. - Page 2 of 9

So our second aim is to develop a truly modular design, where each table, or

.. A system of consistent track exit points to allow track on any module to join

and storage A standardised table height.

will all be able to fit together to make a wide variety of configurations or

This should allow Rearrangement of modules to make different layouts.

3 So our second aim is to develop a truly modular design, where each table, or module, has... A system of consistent track exit points to allow track on any module to join with any other A standard size so that boards can be stacked for easier transport and storage A standardised table height. So basically the idea is that wherever, and by whoever the tables are made, they will all be able to fit together to make a wide variety of configurations or layouts. Each single table should be able to connect to the next. This should allow Rearrangement of modules to make different layouts. Joint builds by a slot racing club, where members could each build a few boards and meet up to assemble a bigger track. Two clubs to meet up to build an even bigger track. The possibilities are endless... Set up a small home track Add a module to expand your track Add another to make your layout bigger Then rearrange and rearrange, there are many options Then add another module - Page 3 of 9

Now there are even more choices...like this.

what we hope will be an ongoing process of design and development.

free downloads, table designs and so on.

Basics So, let's get started with the basics. Track Exits This is very, very important.

The track exit points are where the Scalextric track reaches the edge of the table ready to connect up with

Obviously, to allow two modules to join together, the tracks need to match up, they need to be a consistent

4 Now there are even more choices...like this... or this Add more modules Get your friends to make a module The possibilities are endless So, we've begun what we hope will be an ongoing process of design and development. We'll present to you some of the ideas we've had so far, we'll give you loads of examples of track layouts, free downloads, table designs and so on. But we're hoping that everyone will pitch in with their own ideas and contributions. Basics So, let's get started with the basics. Track Exits This is very, very important. Each table, each module if you like, will have track exit points. The track exit points are where the Scalextric track reaches the edge of the table ready to connect up with to the next module. Obviously, to allow two modules to join together, the tracks need to match up, they need to be a consistent distance apart. So we've come up with a simple system. Every track exit has to match up with an R1, or R2 180 hairpin. So what does that mean exactly? Well, whether you're working with track design software, or working with actual track pieces, wherever you have two pieces of track leaving the module on the same side of the table, you should be able to put an R1 or R2 hairpin over the end, off the edge of the table, to join the two tracks together. - Page 4 of 9

In the example below you'll see a very simple module, consisting of an R1 180 hairpin, connected to some standard straight sections. The green rectangle is our table.

5 In the example below you'll see a very simple module, consisting of an R1 180 hairpin, connected to some standard straight sections. The green rectangle is our table. This is what we call an R1 exit, because as you can see in the illustration on the right, we can connect up the track by adding another R1 hairpin onto the end. The same principle applies to R2 exits, where obviously an R2 hairpin would fit over the end. In order to join R1 exit modules with R2 exit modules we'll also have modules that have an R1 exit at one end, and an R2 at the other. Table Height The height of the tables is obviously another point which is critical if the track is to connect properly. We think a 90cm table height is ideal. This is about the height of an average kitchen work surface, so it's a good height to work at when standing. We also think it makes sense to have adjustable feet on the bottom of each table, where possible. This would allow for minor variations in height and uneven floor surfaces. There are commercially available adjustable legs of the right size, just search for breakfast bar legs and find the ones that are 870mm and adjustable. If you are making your own legs, then there are commercially available adjustable feet, which can be attached to the bottom of your legs. Table Connections Each table needs to connect solidly with the next, in order to avoid any over boisterous drivers or marshals from knocking the table and disjointing the track, or even damaging it. After much deliberation, we've arrived at a simple solution. It seems that the most likely and sensible construction for the table tops is to have a thin, lightweight surface supported by a frame underneath to keep it flat. This makes it possible to either bolt or clamp those frames together to provide a solid connection. - Page 5 of 9

6 Bolting the frames together is simple and cheap. Our suggested method is to use two bolts directly under the track exits, with centres 40mm below the table surface, level with the outside edges of the track. So for an R1 exit, the centres would be 432mm apart, and for an R2 the centres would be 744mm apart. Where you put the bolts on the table frame, how far from each edge if you like, will depend on the position of the track exits, so decide on your track design first, and only drill the holes in the frame once you're sure your happy. We'd suggest an M6 bolt with a wing nut, and washers. We'd also suggest drilling your holes not at 6mm diameter, but at 8mm or even 10mm. This allows some degree of adjustment, to allow for any inaccuracy. That is the preferred method of connecting tables. However, if you happen to have a bunch of G-clamps lying around in your workshop, you could simply clamp the tables together. This would not be the preferred method, as it's a bit crude, it doesn't locate well and clamps are generally heavy. But even if you've sorted out your bolting mechanisms, it's worth taking along a few clamps to any event, just in case of emergencies. - Page 6 of 9

7 Table Size We've started out with a standard table size of 140 x 105cm. This is our standard module. It is exactly four Scalextric standard straights long, by three wide. Most of our module designs are based on this, and it's not a bad size for transporting and storage. However, the size of each table is not a deal breaker. Your table size can be whatever size fits in your car, or whatever size is convenient for you. It may be important for you to make all your tables the same size, so that they can be stacked and stored conveniently, but they do not have to match anybody else's table size. There is however, one big advantage to choosing our standard 140 x 105cm table size, which is that we've put together a whole load of track module designs which will fit exactly on that table size, and we've also produced blueprints for folding table frames based on that size. So if that size of table works for you, then there are loads of resources available, and you can probably save yourself a lot of time. Table Top For the tops of your tables we'd suggest a thin sheet material, strengthened with a simple frame underneath, around the edge of the sheet. A sheet thickness of 6-9mm is ideal. For the sheet material MDF is ideal, though plywood or OSB are also possibilities. MDF has the best finish and paints well. Plywood is stronger and lighter, and OSB is lighter and cheaper, but the finish is rough. If you are willing to use more support battens, then hardboard may be an option. For the frame we'd suggest 3 x1 planed softwood, which works out at around 70x20mm. - Page 7 of 9

Designs The frame of this table is hinged.

..... completely away underneath the top

8 Resources Module Designs Ultimate Racer module example files for download Table Designs The frame of this table is hinged so that the underframe folds completely away underneath the top A simple packing crate allows each frame to slide in for transport and storage... Folding Table working drawings - Page 8 of 9

9 Discussion & Development If you have any ideas or suggestions, or if you're thinking about putting together a transportable, modular Scalextric track, then please join us on the Slot Forum thread where we're trying to discuss all the issues and push the develop the idea. Thread on SlotForum Thank You - Page 9 of 9

DTU Animal Cart Programme

DTU Animal Cart Programme TECHNICAL 25 LIGHT STEEL AND WOOD DONKEY CART RELEASE Development Technology Unit, Department of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK, tel: +44 (0)203 523523