- #1
Metal Man
- 14
- 0
I am working on making an aluminum truck bed cover for a customer despite my attempts to pass it up, he insists that i make it for him. Fabricating it, is not a problem, but I am having a hard time figuring out the force and length of gas springs needed and the best mounting angles for them. I apologize if this is not a good place to ask this, but i saw another fella who asked a similar question years ago, although, he had a little more physics knowledge than I, so i figured it never hurts to ask.
It will weigh approx 60lbs, possibly a tad heavier if he has it painted, and will be 52" long and needs to open up approx 30°, or 2 - 2 1/2 ft at the end. Center of Gravity will be very close to the center of the lid. Mounting position is very flexible, upper mount on lid approx 2" +/- from top, and if possible i would like to use something like these from McMaster http://www.mcmaster.com/#4138T63 or http://www.mcmaster.com/#9416K23, but am not limited to them if they will not work well, they are the longest decently priced ones from a supplier i use regularly.
It would be nice if it self opened gently, but is not 100% necessary, as long as it opens fairly easily and holds it open.
If anyone can help me figure this out, i would greatly appreciate it, as anything we have done in the past has just been a trial and error with forces and mounting positions. I would like to figure this one out properly, and learn how to for future needs.
Thanks in Advance, I appreciate your knowledge!
Brian
It will weigh approx 60lbs, possibly a tad heavier if he has it painted, and will be 52" long and needs to open up approx 30°, or 2 - 2 1/2 ft at the end. Center of Gravity will be very close to the center of the lid. Mounting position is very flexible, upper mount on lid approx 2" +/- from top, and if possible i would like to use something like these from McMaster http://www.mcmaster.com/#4138T63 or http://www.mcmaster.com/#9416K23, but am not limited to them if they will not work well, they are the longest decently priced ones from a supplier i use regularly.
It would be nice if it self opened gently, but is not 100% necessary, as long as it opens fairly easily and holds it open.
If anyone can help me figure this out, i would greatly appreciate it, as anything we have done in the past has just been a trial and error with forces and mounting positions. I would like to figure this one out properly, and learn how to for future needs.
Thanks in Advance, I appreciate your knowledge!
Brian