Aluminum-lithium February 15, 2017, 12:59:59 am Since future of our airplane and aeronautics are seeking for lighter materials, Aluminum-Lithium, I was wondering if Lazy Daze Factory will take advantage of these metals which are lighter and stronger to create a better, improved Lazy Daze. http://www.arconic.com/global/en/what-we-do/aluminum-lithium.asp
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #1 – February 15, 2017, 01:21:09 am Making changes to stay at the cutting edge may not be Lazy Daze' style. 2 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #2 – February 15, 2017, 01:42:41 pm Since the aluminum skin is non-structural and very thin and is only on the roof and partway down the sides, it would save 10-50 pounds likely out of 10,000 or so, making no economic sense to change materials.Steve 3 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #3 – February 15, 2017, 02:03:22 pm "Making changes to stay at the cutting edge may not be Lazy Daze' style."BlueOxWe need an edit here... 'may not' should have read 'is not and never will be'. 4 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #4 – February 16, 2017, 03:25:55 am " We need an edit here... 'may not' should have read 'is not and never will be'. " I think that there is a kind of Cool irony in that way of thinking ~Liam 98~MB 1 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #5 – February 18, 2017, 12:29:35 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - February 15, 2017, 02:03:22 pm"Making changes to stay at the cutting edge may not be Lazy Daze' style."BlueOxWe need an edit here... 'may not' should have read 'is not and never will be'.Unless LD is thy perfected RV, I cant see why they wont use better materials to better their products. Why wont they take advantage of modern technology which enable to create manipulated metals to be lighter and stronger. After all, from my understanding, the originator of LD factory was an engineer who pioneered his experience in aernonautics to build LD with aluminum rooftop. Now that airplanes industry is advancing themselves with lighter stronger metals to build their planes why cant that be applied to LD as well? So my question will be why will they "not and never will be"? What is the reasoning behind unwilling for changes that would better their products? I would love to hear some opinions and thoughts... thank you. -Dave
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #6 – February 18, 2017, 12:31:06 pm Quote from: Steve - February 15, 2017, 01:42:41 pmSince the aluminum skin is non-structural and very thin and is only on the roof and partway down the sides, it would save 10-50 pounds likely out of 10,000 or so, making no economic sense to change materials.Steve Valid point. Thanks for your input.
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #7 – February 18, 2017, 01:43:26 pm "So my question will be why will they "not and never will be"?"And the answer would be... $$$$$$$Lazy Daze is a small (read that as tiny) company. There are no dollars for experimentation or redesign. They've had many years to figure out what works and by heavens, they are going to stick to what works. Sure, new materials are coming down the pike every day, evidence the new Boing jet that's mostly carbon fiber, but there just isn't extra money in the Lazy Daze budget to make it worth while. 2 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #8 – February 18, 2017, 04:53:03 pm I wouldn't say that there are no "dollars" for R&D; Lazy Daze does re-design its products, and it does change materials and some construction techniques, but within much more narrow parameters - and usually a good bit more slowly - than large manufacturers. As Steve said, LD is a very small company; its limited workforce, some of whom were several "hats", is focused on producing a very small number of models to a very small niche market. Spending a lot of time, energy, and money on securing new product suppliers, re-tooling lines, and re-training personnel to handle major changes in engineering, design, and construction is not in the company's business plan, as far as I know. It's certainly understandable that some elements of LD's design, engineering, and build components, the apparent delays in adopting "cutting edge" materials and technologies, and the selection, ordering, and buying processes, plus the long wait for delivery, can be frustrating for some potential buyers. But, like most things in real life, trade-offs are in play. Of course LD has a few design and materials "warts" that some of us might change, but I'll stick with a manufacturer which delivers a high-quality, factory-direct product at a firm, no-gimmicks price, and stands behind what they make and sell. As ever, YMMV. 2 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #9 – February 18, 2017, 05:34:48 pm Thanks JoanThanks for saying what I was thinking. You sure do have a way with words!
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #10 – February 18, 2017, 05:40:31 pm Steve, you did say it; I just "amplified" the message! 1 Likes
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #11 – February 18, 2017, 06:41:31 pm I really can't see any economic advantages to changing from the current aluminum LD is using.I think you would have to ask if changing to exotic metals would increase sales. I wouldn't think so. Aerospace industries are far more concerned with weight than the rv industry.
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #12 – February 18, 2017, 08:09:47 pm Quote from: Duro - February 18, 2017, 06:41:31 pm<snip> Aerospace industries are far more concerned with weight than the rv industry.Maybe the RV industry should be far more concerned with weight then it is ....... I know I promised to stay off my soap box.
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #13 – February 18, 2017, 08:35:09 pm Maybe they would be if they had to pay fines for being over a specified weight. Like aircraft manufacturers have to.
Re: Aluminum-lithium Reply #14 – February 18, 2017, 08:59:00 pm An easy approx 90 lb saving would be to replace the steel wheels with Alcoa aluminum wheels.
Topic: Aluminum-lithium (Read 351 times)
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Topic: Aluminum-lithium (Read 351 times)
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