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In lugnet.general, David Eaton wrote:
> In lugnet.general, David Eaton wrote:
> > RAMP TRACK:
>
> Alright, I just tried to measure using my scanner. I figured there would be very
> little optical distortion on the bed of the scanner, so it'll make a reasonably
> good straight-on image. Results:
>
> 32.7903 studs for the upper ramp
> 32.8166 studs for the lower ramp
> Average: 32.8035 studs
>
> So I think I'm happy with a guess of 32.8 studs of length for each ramp half.
>
> For the record, the number of teeth in the ramps also provide some different
> stats:
>
> Curve: 223 on the inner rail side and 228 on the outer rail side
> Ramps: 167 (both)
> Long straight: 163
> Start/Stop: 82
> Short straight: 41
> (Yes, my mind is now numb from counting)
>
> So, if you assumed that the spacing of the teeth was constant for a piece of
> straight track versus a ramp (it's obviously not always constant), you would
> get:
>
> Using the long track for a ratio: 32.7853 studs
> Using the short track for a ratio: 32.5854 studs
>
> Given that LEGO changes the tooth spacing for different monorail elements, I'm
> not quite inclined to use that as a useful measurement, but interesting to
> compare nonetheless.
>
> DaveE
OK wait, the number of teeth on the inside and outside of a curve are different?
I never took a monorail power unit apart but I always figured the gearing was
locked together from one side to the other. Does it have a friction clutch?
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In lugnet.general, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> OK wait, the number of teeth on the inside and outside of a curve are
> different?
Yep! Easiest way to verify is just to look at the ends and compare them with the
midpoint. The teeth are directly opposite each other on the ends, but are off by
half-a-tooth in the middle, thanks to there being an odd number on the inside
and an even number on the outside. And counting indeed yields different numbers.
> I never took a monorail power unit apart but I always figured the gearing was
> locked together from one side to the other. Does it have a friction clutch?
Nah, it's simpler than that-- there's only one gear, not two! Hence, the
monorail will go about 2% faster if the gear is on the inner side of the rail
than if the gear is on the outer side.
And it'll also go faster on long straights than it will on short straights,
since short straights and start/stops have a slightly different tooth spacing.
I'm not quite interested enough at the moment to count the teeth on half curves
or switches, but those would be interesting to check as well...
DaveE
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In lugnet.general, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> OK wait, the number of teeth on the inside and outside of a curve are different?
> I never took a monorail power unit apart but I always figured the gearing was
> locked together from one side to the other. Does it have a friction clutch?
That was a dumb question, there's only a gear on one side of the power unit, not
both. I was misremembering
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