Usin' ACME Engineering's Conformal Launch Lugs

ACME's Conformal Launch Lugs

ACME Conformal Launch Lugs are very attractive extruded aluminum parts designed to fit specific airframe sizes and t' accommodate common launch rod sizes. Aye aye! The airframe conformin' shape o' t' lugs take advantage o' t' shear strength of about 20 times t' contact surface t' typical tubular launch lug provides. They are shipped in kits that contain a pair o' lugs, two strips o' 3M-brand adhesive for attachment t' t' airframe, and detailed instructions for installation. Begad! For a better idea o' what t' lugs look like, and detailed dimensions o' sizes that are available, check out ACME at http://www.acmeengrg.com/.

OK. What's t' deal? ACME is shippin' double sided tape t' stick launch lugs t' t' airframe? That's what I thought anyway. No way! Blimey! It's a very thin, rubbery structural adhesive suspended between two strips o' backing, almost like contact cement. Avast! Blimey! Begad! Blimey! It's STICKY! Blimey! I decided t' try t' supplied adhesive for installation o' t' lugs, arrr, shiver me timbers, after stickin' a corner o' it t' me Exacto knife, matey, arrr, and everythin' else it touched as I tried t' remove it.

Installation o' t' 1/2 inch lugs on t' 3.9" airframe was very simple, since t' contoured shape of the lugs self align with t' airframe. Well, blow me down! I used a single reference line on the airframe t' ensure t' edges o' t' lugs lined up with each other. Arrr! Ahoy! The directions recommended applyin' t' adhesive t' bare structural material (not painted) and clampin' them in place for at least 24 hours, which both seem reasonable enough. Avast! For those requirin' massive amounts o' fiber or carbs in their diet, they can also be laminated over easily.

What did I do as a practical test o' t' 3M-brand adhesive bond? I completed t' 6 pound 72" rocket (minus paint) and duplicated t' event that most often snaps lugs off the airframe at t' occasionally windy Huntsville Area Rocketry Association range. I set t' rocket up on a tall, matey, arrr, somewhat top heavy tripod launch pad, me hearties, and pushed it over, me hearties, repeatedly. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! No give. Ahoy! T' lugs are still on, arrr, shiver me timbers, with no sign o' letting up. I'm sure thar be a limit t' t' abilities o' t' adhesive bond, but given the durability and ease o' installation, it's apparently good enough for this application anyway.

Last words. Arrr! T' ACME Conformal Launch Lugs fill a long neglected niche in t' market. Begad! I tried them because of simplicity. Blimey! Linin' up, epoxying, shiver me timbers, matey, filletin' and glassin' conventional launch lug tubin' has never been me favorite step in t' construction o' a rocket. Applyin' ACME lugs just might be. Stick 'em on, me bucko, me bucko, clamp 'em down, grab a cold one, ya bilge rat, and go back t' watchin' t' game. Hey, I wonder how well 3M adhesive coated fingers would grip a football?

Written and submitted by Chuck Andrus for Rocketry Online -- Copyright 1996-1999