Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

For all the things we make ourselves for the outdoor world that are not covered in the other specific DIY area.
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Ron Kulas
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Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#1 Post by Ron Kulas »

The brown truck dropped off a 3D printer for archery and bowhunting related prototyping. (and for generally playing around)

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As well as a variety of ridged and flexible filament to proto design concepts.

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First up is prototyping a broadhead for an upcoming bear hunt.

[video=youtube;ENFQUgQgb9g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENFQUgQgb9g[/video]

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We are playing around with the 3D printer making prototypes of things we have been wanting to make or improve upon.

First up is a vision of an improved version of an existing product to replace fletching. FOB's are a good product that can be made better. Not necessarily for sale but for personal use, education and enjoyment. I made the ring a bit smaller but the fins a bit bigger.

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It weighs slightly less than the FOB brand

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clearance from a drop away will be a bit better with this version.

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They have a 4 degree offset but I want 7 but may increase that further. FOB's fins are flat. I made this with a curve or radius like an airplane wing to see if that will improve flight. (Again, experimenting)

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Time to make a few more and test shoot them.

After test firing them they still hit my face. We are getting closer but time to improve further.

1. Improved rest clearance.
2. Reduced face contact.
3. Reduced weight. (less than existing FOB and closer to 3 Blazers/glue)
4. Increased spin rate.
5. Increase total surface area of fins.
6. Airfoil fins rather than flat.

By making the annular ring smaller and pushing it forward 3/4", the facial contact issue improves as does rest clearance. I prototyped an early version yesterday but went back to the drawing board today.

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Next up is a call for the stupid, smelly field carp.

I printed the pot for the call. One in black and another in Black and red and designed in some text just for giggles.

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Then made aluminum sound boards

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Aluminum and cooper

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and a sliding top for the striker to change the tone.

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Just waiting for the epoxy to cure to test them for sound.

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A 3D printed shelf with hooks we made for hub style blinds.

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Adding some hooks and shrink tube.

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To quiet the shelf an old mouse pad and double sided tape was used.

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Perfect fit.

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Plenty of room on the shelf and to hang things.

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The Joy is in the doing.

Cookies
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#2 Post by Cookies »

Thats really cool stuff, Ron! How did the broadheads work?

Ron Kulas
Posts: 657
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:33 am

Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#3 Post by Ron Kulas »

Still pondering that one for this year's fall bear hunt. Perfecting the design as it were.
The Joy is in the doing.

Carpdaddy
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#4 Post by Carpdaddy »

That's one fine looking machine there, I think I saw a show about one of those a while back, that will keep you busy! Love the looks of that broadhead, I was admiring it yesterday on the gang site, very impressive. How are you attaching the center part to the blade? I'm thinking you said something about a field point but I've slept since then. I tried a few several years ago but mine didn't look anything like that. Keep us posted on the progress, I'm sure your wheels are still turning, I think I also read something about you may even try a screw in type.

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Shadowhntr
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#5 Post by Shadowhntr »

That is to cool! Technology never ceases to amaze me! Nice!
The element of surprise can never be replaced by persistence.

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Graps
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#6 Post by Graps »

Really ?
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Captainkirk
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#7 Post by Captainkirk »

Whattayou...one o' dem engineers or sump'n?
If you're trying to impress us you can stop now, Ron.
We's dun impressed.
Aim small, miss small!

Ron Kulas
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Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:33 am

Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#8 Post by Ron Kulas »

Captainkirk wrote:Whattayou...one o' dem engineers or sump'n?
Ive been in this field of work for 30 years. Mostly in the new product design, innovation, cost reduction and advanced manufacturing. Mostly its been in the field of medical devices. I hold several patents for medical devices (imaging) or patient care products. Now I have filed for a couple patents for hunting stuff. I lover making new stuff or improving existing stuff.

This is a far cry from birch bark, leather and wood but I still enjoy it. The joy is in the doing.
The Joy is in the doing.

Ron Kulas
Posts: 657
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:33 am

Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#9 Post by Ron Kulas »

Back to the drawing board for the annular airfoil fletching.

Existing FOB's weigh 24.5 grains. Our early prototype of a modified annular airfoil fletch was 23 grains but like everybody else we dislike weight on the rear end of the arrow so we took out weight in no-stress areas and got the weight down to a (calculated) 20 grains (the weight of 3 blazers with glue). We won't know for certain until we make a few and throw them on the scale. Here is what they will look like now.

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The Joy is in the doing.

Captainkirk
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Re: Digital manufacturing and today's bowhunters

#10 Post by Captainkirk »

Cool! Anxiously awaiting the results on this one!
Aim small, miss small!

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