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-   -   Carbon Fiber Body Shells!! (http://mini-zracer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12558)

pukkita 2004.03.08 06:57 AM

Carbon Fiber Body Shells!!
 
Hi, I thought this may be of interest for both DIY'ers and hard-core racers... :)

FutureProc, a Carbon Fiber centric hopup company based in Spain (http://www.futureproc.com/index2_uk.htm), specialized in CF Chassis and Body Shells, just announced on our Spanish forum their Carbon Fiber Body Shell for Mini-Z racers are ready for production .

Some specs:

- Design: one of the most valued body shells for racing (at least here in Spain, I'm referring to the 1st version, like the Wasteiner, etc, a very though bodyshell with very good on-track behaviour), the Mercedes CLK.

- Available in several base material colors: black, white, red, blue green and yellow.

- Snug, not popping-prone fit to the chassis (this was a design target).

- It weights 30% less than most body shells average! regular body shell: 40gr (1.40 oz) FutureProc's body shell: 28gr (0.987oz)

- It's virtually unbreakable and very though, but as it's just 1mm (0.394in) thick, its able to flex, providing improved impact absorption.

The company is very excited with the first final production units that just arrived from the factory, up to date videos and photos showing the unbelievable flexing and the unique material used for the body anchors will be online soon.

Some pre-production, (unfinished and uncut) photos can be seen at http://www.futureproc.com/carroceria.htm. Final Production units will be already cut and canopies provided.

The level of detail/finishing that will be finally offered is being studied by the company, as they consider the final pricing to be a key factor: they want to keep the cost reasonable.

HammerZ 2004.03.08 07:14 AM

Do they have plans for bodies other than the CLK's?

pukkita 2004.03.08 07:32 AM

hehe, that was what one of the first things we asked too :)

FP answered it depends on the acceptance this body gets, if it sells well, and demand for CF body shells looks healthy, more bodies will come, that's for sure.

I think that will benefit FP also, as the ROI on R&D already invested in this first body will be higher, they "just" need to make a different mold, hopefully the manufacturing process (which I believe is mostly hand-crafted after de-molding) will be the same.

Someone suggested on the Spanish forum to make bodies not available from kyosho, like a Dodge Stratus Protoform for example. I'd second that, I like to see a SEAT Leon Cupra for example:

http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/06/l...r02_01_800.jpg

pukkita 2004.03.08 08:57 AM

I cannot edit any post in this thread, just got some comments from FP:

Quote:

Design: one of the most valued body shells for racing (at least here in Spain, I'm referring to the 1st version, like the Wasteiner, etc, a very though bodyshell with very good on-track behaviour), the Mercedes CLK.
They took the CLK body as starting point for their body design, but it isn't a CLK.


Quote:

The level of detail/finishing that will be finally offered is being studied by the company, as they consider the final pricing to be a key factor: they want to keep the cost reasonable.
This is already decided, and will be (level of detail and finishing) on par to kyosho's, with much better durability.

Quote:

FP answered it depends on the acceptance this body gets, if it sells well, and demand for CF body shells looks healthy, more bodies will come, that's for sure.
They just told me they already have more projects ready, they're very happy how this first one turned out. Their associated factory has a deep know-how in carbon fiber manufacturing, and at the same time the specific goals (RC car) are crystal clear for them.

But to be short, sales will dictate if those other bodies projects see the light or not.

pukkita 2004.03.09 10:37 AM

I missed a couple colors: purple and orange.

The web page has been updated with some shots of the final body, including a closer detail of the wheel arch nerves for improved strength.


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