C. Smith,
For clarification the twin engine does not require any special tools and or
fixtures it is a continuation of the single and very simple. We will put
together a video of a complete build from raw parts. This will demonstrate
the simplicity and minimal part count. It is very very important that the
early adopter projects go good and that initial results demonstrate the
advantages of our engine in aircraft. We have three airplanes coming here
from Sun N Fun for testing and factory support.
Thank you for your input and Stay Tuned
Eric Barger
RotaMax Inc.
www.rotamax.net
That sounds like a good idea on the face of it, but maybe not for the one-up
buyer. The engine is simple, but assembly procedure is critical
-- the Rotamax more so than the Mazda's, due to size and design. This means
that there would need to be a class and assembly clinic, which makes it more
cost-effective to just buy a running engine.
OTOH, for the buyer who will be doing his own maintenance, or who will be
buying more than one, such a class would be worth attending, especially if
held at Airventure.
Keith W
I do not claim to be an expert in this matter, but during the presentation
by Eric Barger, one of the features highlighted was simplicity of assembly.
This may not pertain to installation of the rotor seals, however the engine
itself was extremely simple to assemble a single rotor. It was demonstrated
by laying the back plate between 2 tables, an o-ring or 2(I think) laying on
the rotor housing, place the rotor, insert the crank, a few more o-rings,
the back plate, then housing bolts. It was mentioned that the 2 rotor
required some jigging, and I would imagine the more rotors the more complex
the process. I would think that some of the needle bearings would need to be
pressed in after partial placement of the separator plate over the crank,
etc. (just guessing here folks)
Certainly fabrication of the components is a highly critical process. For
instance, Eric mentions that the tool life of the cutter used to make the
slots for the seals in the iron rotor is only 4 rotors before the cutter is
replaced. Indeed the manufacture and fabrication of the components to tight
tolerances is critical to the success of the design.
Minimal rebuild costs of around $4-5K I believe were mentioned for the
single rotor. I would think there would be a certain level of familiar
knowledge of course, inspection guidelines, etc. But overall it appeared to
be quite simple (single rotor).
My thinking is that the 2 biggest hurdles to a kit Rotamax would be
profitability and liability. Not to cast any aspersions against any members,
but any product (particularly one in it's initial entrance to market)
reputation could be damaged by failures beyond the control of the
manufacturer. Any time something fails, people look to blame anyone but
themselves, this is unfortunately human nature.
Not to go off topic, but my observations from being a Zenith aircraft
builder are that every time a Zenith goes down, there ensues a great hubbub
of speculation of design flaws, propagated at the speed of light through the
internet. This has certainly cost them some sales, not to mention some
pretty wild speculations of the companies future. None of these speculations
has yet been based on any factual evidence or data.
As far as class location, when looking at "cost savings" Airventure would be
the worst place on earth to hold such an event. Everything is jacked up
during Airventure. Far better to hold it at the factory where tooling, jigs
and environment can be better controlled, and lodging/food/traffic would be
normal, and one wouldn't have to make reservations 8 months in advance. Just
my 2c.
C. Smith
For clarification the twin engine does not require any special tools and or
fixtures it is a continuation of the single and very simple. We will put
together a video of a complete build from raw parts. This will demonstrate
the simplicity and minimal part count. It is very very important that the
early adopter projects go good and that initial results demonstrate the
advantages of our engine in aircraft. We have three airplanes coming here
from Sun N Fun for testing and factory support.
Thank you for your input and Stay Tuned
Eric Barger
RotaMax Inc.
www.rotamax.net
Bringing the airplanes up there is a darn good idea Eric, That way you guys can
check the installation. The installation goes wrong far more often than
the basic rotary engine fails.
I am also impressed by the Rotamax installation
that Bill Sadler did on the Vampire. He is one good engineer.
Here are a few pictures. I even like the way he is doing the cooling
even though the rad is not quite large enough yet. Bill told me he is
going to increase the rad size. More pictures on that shortly.
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.
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