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Welcome to the Radio Controlled (RC) Model community where we discuss everything pertaining to radio and remote-controlled vehicles.
So, what is the RC community mainly about, and what do we intend to make our Modus Operandi? Before we go into all that, we need to go into some detailed explanation and history on what RC vehicles are.
According to Definitions.com, radio-controlled (RC) vehicles are self-powered model cars, trucks, aeroplanes and ships that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter. The term "RC" has been used to mean both "remote-controlled" and "radio controlled", where "remote-controlled" includes vehicles that are connected to their controller by a wire, but common use of "RC" today usually refers to vehicles controlled by a radio-frequency link.
Vehicles are generally designed to be powered through various sources ranging from conventional fossil fuel gas to electrical sources. RC model vehicles are mostly eclectically powered vehicles comprising of very powerful electric motors which are run by rechargeable nickel or lithium batteries. Some are built with brushless electric motors for efficiency because brushless motors are designed to be less susceptible to mechanical wear and tear when compared to their brushed contemporary which makes them last longer although more expensive.
Recently, some RC powered vehicles are being powered by very small internal combustion engines fueled by particular fuel mixtures comprised mainly of castor oil and synthetic oil. They are known generally as “nitro” vehicles. And are known to possess real power than electrically powered RC models. However, electrically powered RC model vehicles are known to have better controllability but could be equally made complex according to the budget on the project.
RC vehicles have been around for a very long time, although in different forms. The paper kite with a string for control for instance, can be considered to be an RC vehicle.
According to Wikipedia, RC models became commercially available in the mid-60s and many have given credit to the first commercially produced RCs to Italian company El-Gi (Electronica Giacattoli) from the city of Reggio Emilia. Their very first model design was that of a Ferrari 250 LM made 12 times smaller than the original car. By the end of the year 1966, their model was available all around Europe to be bought off the shelf, this led to strides by other manufacturers like the Atkinsons motor shop who in early 67 followed suit and built a Ferrari P4 10 times smaller than the original size.
This design went on to appear in Milan Toy Fair in 1967 and rather successfully I might add, which gave then rise to the commercial adaptation of Rc vehicles all around the world.
RC airplanes on the other hand can be said to have been in the works a little longer than their roadworthy counterparts. In the 1800s, electronically modelled hydrogen-filled airships were used as musical acts around theatres using the basic emitted radio signal. Also, during the wars of the world the U.S. Army and Navy used radio-controlled planes called Radioplanes as artillery target drones.
By the Mid 70s, the RC model industry had developed into a much larger industry with lots of commercialized and homebuilt designs of RC models capable of performances that weren’t imagined a couple of years ago. RC racing leagues have sprung up which gave rise to a massive growth of the industry. Rc vehicles with better build and suspensions began coming to light and RCs with longer range radio transmitters were introduced which led to better control and manoeuvrability of RC models.
Today, RC models have come a long way from the use of brushed motors and Nickel batteries to the use of brushless more effective motors and LiPo batteries. Rc vehicles with nitro boost are ready in the ascendency with slightly larger and more effective engines are constantly in use today.
Radio-controlled aircraft are of many types according to how and what they intend to be used for. Different types of RC model aircraft designers exist with their different interests. Hobbyists for instance are seen building park flyers and trainers while more experienced pilots delve into designs of RC models like pylon racers, jet, glow-plug racers, electrical powered and sailplane racers, helicopters etc. Some of them include;
Sailplane and Gliders; These kinds of RC modelled aircraft do not need a means of propulsion and are kept in the air using the natural lift characteristics of the aircraft.
Jets; RC jets are usually powered with a microturbine or ducted fan and built with carbon and glass fibre composites due to the lightweight of the material and its ability to withstand shear and bending forces best, They are usually expensive to build with costs ranging from $200 to $20,000.
RC scale aircraft modelling; This is often considered the most realistic design for RC planes, built to look exactly like the replica of the original design of an aircraft, It is important in the design of future models of aircraft and the recreation of vintage aircraft.
Just like RC airplanes, automotives built for RC purposes are very well dependent on what they intend to be used for. They are mostly used as hobby-grade vehicles meant to replicate automotive designs or in many instances, a toy. Some RC automotives include;
Ready to Run (RTR) RC models; These are designed for immediate use and can reach speeds of about 100 miles per hour (150km/hr). As the name implies they are meant to be used at an instance with their battery power or a nitro boost.
Kit Vehicles; Kit vehicles are built from individual parts assembled before driving. They require some skill in their assembly and isn’t as easy as RTR vehicles but is perfect for hobbyist beginners. There are sometimes referred to as Almost Ready To Run (ARTR) RC models.
Electric Models; These are the most popular RC model vehicle that operates using mechanical or electrical speed control units. It gives off a power proportional to the amount passed on to it through the transmitter in a throttle functional system.
Nitro Powered Models; According to Wikipedia, nitro-powered models employ a single servo for throttle and braking control; turning the servo in one direction causes the carburettor's throttle to open, allowing more air and fuel mixture into the internal combustion engine. When the servo is rotated in the opposite direction, torque is applied to a linkage and cam, causing friction with the braking material. Nitro powered vehicles operate similarly to full-sized vehicles that use conventional combustion engines, with the sound of the engine being the main selling point for most combustion engine enthusiasts.
Gasoline Powered RC models; As the name implies, this RC model run on gasoline and are usually known as fuelers or gassers and are known to be much more expensive than most other designs of RC models. They also require a means of cranking the engine which is usually battery operated. The transmitter would also require means of powering and are usually powered by AA-size batteries.
Roundup.com describes that Radio-controlled cars use a common set of components for their control and operation. All cars require a transmitter, which has the joysticks for control, or in pistol grip form, a trigger for throttle and a wheel for turning, and a receiver that sits inside the car. The receiver changes the radio signal broadcast from the transmitter into suitable electrical control signals for the other components of the control system. The radio is wired up to the electronic speed controls or servomechanism which performs functions like operating the control surfaces, throttles, braking, steering etc.
The receiver commands electronic speed controls and servos via pulse width modulation; pulse duration determines either the amount of current that an electronic speed control lets flow into the electric motor or the angle of the servo. The servo is coupled to at least the steering mechanism on these models; rotation of the servo is mechanically converted into a force that steers the wheels on the model, typically via adjustable turnbuckle connections. All steering linkages and some nitro throttle links have servo savers built-in.
This community encourages builders of RC airplanes, drones and cars to comfortably put out original content of their work in order for us to generate the buzz of RC vehicles on Hive and increase the already growing hype. This community encourages also all sorts of intriguing engineering posts that show creativity and all forms of ingenuity.
We look forward to hearing all of your amazing engineering creations and all things new about RC models.
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Thank you very much.
