DeLorean Frame in Solidworks?

[LordFly]

What are the odds that anyone has the DeLorean frame drawn up in Solidworks? Just thought I would check before taking on the project myself.

[Mark D]

What are the odds that anyone has the DeLorean frame drawn up in Solidworks? Just thought I would check before taking on the project myself.

I have CAD models for a few other parts, but nothing accurate for the frame. It would be epic to build the whole car in 3D.

I wonder if DMCH would be willing to share the production drawings on any of this stuff. It would be much easier to model parts with a stack of drawings rather than having to measure or scan each part individually.

[rdarlington]

I'm a solidworks guy and am happy to help out. Currently I'm working on modeling the pull handle for the trunk release because mine broke, and apparently they are a little hard to come by. Eventually I'll have a short run produced.

-Bob

[Josh]

I have random parts here and there. i was thinking of making a thread and posting up the drawings I have. Fuel tank closing plate, charcoal canister delete plate, fan shroud, door shims, roof box cover, engine latch cover, and all my efi brackets. I was thinking about modelling the frame, but it would be very time consuming.

I did run across a gentleman who had modeled up the frame a while ago, but he wanted £1000gbp firm for it so I had to pass.

http://www.make-manchester.co.uk/

Can't directly link to it, but it is under Portfolio > 1:8 De Lorean Chassis Display Model

[Josh]

I think this would be the best method to do an engine swap though (what i am assuming you want it for). Motor mounts could be properly and accurately designed for a straight forward install when you start turning wrenches.

[LordFly]

I think this would be the best method to do an engine swap though (what i am assuming you want it for). Motor mounts could be properly and accurately designed for a straight forward install when you start turning wrenches.

You're half right. I do want to do an engine swap, and a new frame would be a fantastic starting point. I work for a company that manufacturers stainless steel equipment for the food and beverage industry. We get 100's of lbs of stainless sheet metal laser cut and precision formed on a weekly basis. It would not be the least bit unreasonable for me to be able to manufacturer my own stainless steel frame. It's just an idea at the moment, but material costs seem reasonable. The next step is to draw it out (perhaps even just roughly), and get an idea of the cost for laser cutting and forming. Then I'll have a chat with our production manager and get an idea on labor costs to get it welded. I'm not a Solidworks expert by any means, but my skills are coming along. It'll take me longer to draw that anything else, but I'm not in a rush.

[Josh]

You're half right. I do want to do an engine swap, and a new frame would be a fantastic starting point. I work for a company that manufacturers stainless steel equipment for the food and beverage industry. We get 100's of lbs of stainless sheet metal laser cut and precision formed on a weekly basis. It would not be the least bit unreasonable for me to be able to manufacturer my own stainless steel frame. It's just an idea at the moment, but material costs seem reasonable. The next step is to draw it out (perhaps even just roughly), and get an idea of the cost for laser cutting and forming. Then I'll have a chat with our production manager and get an idea on labor costs to get it welded. I'm not a Solidworks expert by any means, but my skills are coming along. It'll take me longer to draw that anything else, but I'm not in a rush.

Very interesting. I would definitely like to be involved in this if it does materialize. I have about 5 years 3d modelling experience now, both with solidworks and inventor. The hard part for me would be finding someone who could form the steel and weld it, but sounds like you have a potential source.

[LordFly]

I have a few sources actually ;) The hard part will not be the critical dimensions, those are listed in the service manual. It will be the dimensions NOT listed in there, such as the gauge of steel used in the different sections, thickness of certain sections of the frame, distances between body mount holes, etc. Unfortunately my frame has the rest of a car bolted to it, so measurements could be rather difficult. I may need to acquire a rusted out (straight) frame for dimensioning. I was at first a little concerned about the material itself, as stainless is more brittle than mild steel, but I think if a rusted out frame can hold together, I don't need to be too worried about a stainless one in any way. I have a feeling that with the fiberglass body, the frame was not engineered to flex at all in the first place.

[LordFly]

So I started back on this a bit and right off that bat, something doesn't work out. Going by A, B and D, C does not work out right, there is a 25mm difference. What makes it really weird is that the dimension for C does not properly convert to inches (1105mm = 43.50", not 43.62"). I'm thinking the most likely thing is that the B measurement is taken in 3 dimensions, unlike A, B and D, which are only measured in the X and Y directions. But then my question is, should C be 1105mm or 43.62"? :hmm:

2470224703

[kenny]

This is a project I have been mulling over for the last few years.
Like some of you I work with Solidworks everyday.

Im planning on doing a frame off next winter and the plan was to measure and draw the frame completely.

I deal a lot with local fabricating & laser cutting companies through work.

It would be good to setup an online file share folder for parts that have been drawn already.
For laser cutting .dxf or dwg files at 1:1 scale are used. I will gladly post mine.

Some of the parts I have made.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/kennyjward/Stainless%20Parts/04032011453.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/kennyjward/media/Stainless%20Parts/04032011453.jpg.html)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/kennyjward/Stainless%20Parts/04032011449.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/kennyjward/media/Stainless%20Parts/04032011449.jpg.html)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/kennyjward/Stainless%20Parts/04032011452.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/kennyjward/media/Stainless%20Parts/04032011452.jpg.html)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/kennyjward/Stainless%20Parts/03122010411.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/kennyjward/media/Stainless%20Parts/03122010411.jpg.html)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc137/kennyjward/Stainless%20Parts/04032011455.jpg (http://s212.photobucket.com/user/kennyjward/media/Stainless%20Parts/04032011455.jpg.html)

[kenny]

So I started back on this a bit and right off that bat, something doesn't work out. Going by A, B and D, C does not work out right, there is a 25mm difference. What makes it really weird is that the dimension for C does not properly convert to inches (1105mm = 43.50", not 43.62"). I'm thinking the most likely thing is that the B measurement is taken in 3 dimensions, unlike A, B and D, which are only measured in the X and Y directions. But then my question is, should C be 1105mm or 43.62"? :hmm:

2470224703

Looks like the values in the manual can only be used as guidelines until you confirm by measuring a frame.

[LordFly]

I'm sure the values in the manual are for checking the frame is straight, but I figured they'd be enough to get a start. But they're really not. Which leaves me 2 options. Pull the body off my car (which is not really something I want to do at this point, but I might), or pick up a cheap rusted out frame that is straight. Anyone got a frame they don't want? ;)

[Delorean Industries]

I'm sure the values in the manual are for checking the frame is straight, but I figured they'd be enough to get a start. But they're really not. Which leaves me 2 options. Pull the body off my car (which is not really something I want to do at this point, but I might), or pick up a cheap rusted out frame that is straight. Anyone got a frame they don't want? ;)

When we developed our replacement frames. We took a roamer to 11 frames and checked for consistency. There is roughly a variance of an 1/8 inch over all. Seeing how these were not assembled to the highest standard to begin with that is pretty good.

[LordFly]

Josh, what are the chances that you still have those measurements?

[rdarlington]

A better question might be:

What are the chances a company that bases part of their business around unique customer services would part with data collected through a lengthy (pronounced "expensive") process of measuring and modeling parts, tweaking them to get em right, and testing a full up assembly to ensure it's right, for free?

I guess it never hurts to ask!

-Bob

[Patrick C]

A better question might be:

What are the chances a company that bases part of their business around unique customer services would part with data collected through a lengthy (pronounced "expensive") process of measuring and modeling parts, tweaking them to get em right, and testing a full up assembly to ensure it's right, for free?

I guess it never hurts to ask!

-Bob

Since they can't sell the frames due to legal reasons, I'd say odds are probably pretty good!

[Delorean Industries]

Since they can't sell the frames due to legal reasons, I'd say odds are probably pretty good!

Can't sell tube chassis. Stock design frames are ok to sell.


Unfortunately I can not hand over this information as it was very expensive to produce. Every bend, weld, gusset etc is a measurable point to every other component on the frame. Technically speaking there are over 1000 points of measurement on the chassis that could be checked if required throughout the fabrication process. That level of engineering and quality did not come without a price. The component print book covering all folding, forming and welding procedures with check dimensions is over 100 pages. To put this into perspective if I was to price the frame at 12k I would need to sell 67 frames to break even alone. Unless I proceed with putting a stainless chassis under every car I own and sell at a profit (not enough time or energy for that) it will take about 4 and a half years to break even.

The plus side to this is that all of the questionable frame cars I have purchased recently have a chance at a new life.

[Patrick C]

Can't sell tube chassis. Stock design frames are ok to sell.



I'm VERY glad to hear this!!!

[BABIS]

Can't sell tube chassis.

what a shame, I really believed in that project...

[LordFly]

Unfortunately I can not hand over this information as it was very expensive to produce.

I figured as much, just thought I'd ask :)

[LordFly]

A better question might be:

What are the chances a company that bases part of their business around unique customer services would part with data collected through a lengthy (pronounced "expensive") process of measuring and modeling parts, tweaking them to get em right, and testing a full up assembly to ensure it's right, for free?

I guess it never hurts to ask!

-Bob

I don't know about better, but it's definitely a longer question ;) I figured since he wasn't selling any (to my knowledge), it couldn't hurt to ask.

[Tomcio]

I will try and take a measurement off my frame as soon as the weather improves and I get healthy again. It's 0 degrees F over here with lots of snow and I'm down with a flu...
My frame is currently stripped off of all components and is just sitting in my shop. Taking a measurement will be easy.
To be honest the difference in metric and standard isn't really that big. It's 1105 versus 1108mm. Just 3mm which in the case of our frames is really not that much.

I'll get that measurement as soon as I can... sometime next week.

[Ashyukun]

I realize that this thread predates my marriage- but it's exactly what I was looking for, and was curious if anyone involved had made any further progress with measurements/modeling of the frame. 16655's frame has some definite issues, and regardless of which approach I go with to fix it having the measurements to go off of in checking things would be very useful.

[Rhye]

Check this out: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?18559