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. Begad! 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, arrr, two strips o' 3M-brand adhesive for attachment t' t' airframe, matey, and detailed instructions for installation. Begad! For a better idea o' what t' lugs look like, and detailed dimensions o' sizes that are available, arrr, 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. It's STICKY! Blimey! I decided t' try t' supplied adhesive for installation o' t' lugs, me bucko, after stickin' a corner o' it t' me Exacto knife, 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, shiver me timbers, since t' contoured shape of the lugs self align with t' airframe. Begad! I used a single reference line on the airframe t' ensure t' edges o' t' lugs lined up with each other. Arrr! The directions recommended applyin' t' adhesive t' bare structural material (not painted) and clampin' them in place for at least 24 hours, me bucko, arrr, which both seem reasonable enough. Arrr! 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, shiver me timbers, somewhat top heavy tripod launch pad, and pushed it over, arrr, repeatedly. No give. Blimey! Blimey! Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' lugs are still on, ya bilge rat, with no sign o' letting up. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I'm sure thar be a limit t' t' abilities o' t' adhesive bond, but given the durability and ease o' installation, matey, shiver me timbers, it's apparently good enough for this application anyway.

Last words. T' ACME Conformal Launch Lugs fill a long neglected niche in t' market. I tried them because of simplicity. Begad! Ya scallywag! Linin' up, shiver me timbers, epoxying, 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. Ya scallywag! Stick 'em on, shiver me timbers, clamp 'em down, shiver me timbers, grab a cold one, shiver me timbers, and go back t' watchin' t' game. Aye aye! 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