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I am not sure about the forged carbon...
which always looked like re-set plastic to me - although I can see how it might be strengthening.
But the carbon weave, with directional form, that I can understand. Its the old match stick principle: one stick in one direction is easy to snap; a handful in a multitude of directions is almost impossible to snap. Same idea and concept. Include in that the orthorombic material to save weight, sandwiched between carbon layers, and you have extraordinarily strong materials.
What I found fascinating was that in some instances, where tolerances needed to be known exactly, there was a reliance on metals where the properties were well understood. Where there was a great deal of use and friction: where surfaces need to rub against the other, or where they were hinged, there was a reliance on metals with known characteristics. Much like the internal mechanical elements of Richard's watches.
Hope this helps
Andrew H
Racing in the blood! The Richard Mille RM050 and Lotus F1
[A racing machine on the wrist: the RM050 Lotus Romain Grosjean] For the man, and the watch brand, that more than any other had taken Formula 1 Grand Prix racing and distilled it into watchmaking, Richard Mille now had his name on the front of a F1 car. I...
RM is a great actor of the technical fields in which cars and watches are involved
This great article was a very interesting way to make a comparison between F1 crafting and RM's machining: going very much into details (blueprints, parts crafting techs etc...) was particularly nice to see. This is often marketing stuff in the luxury are...
Thanks Mark. Agreed, it is not to everyone's taste, but where as
other firms may have sound bites on materials and design with a co-sponsor, for Richard it is absolute. It has to be authentic. I was fortunate: for the first time an outsider was allowed an indepth look into F1 car construction. I am grateful to RM EMEA ...
Your article had an excellent influence of Romain Grosjean!
4th on the starting line tomorrow! His best position of the year! Thanks a lot for your comprehensive article. Fx
Amazing result with limited budget and lawsuits
Lotus cars has always been on the edge of glory and disaster since the early days. True racing by the seat of their pants. Well done! :-) MTF
Thanks! I would love to claim credit.... but
he drove out of his socks! Congrats to Romain! I spoke with him about 6 months back and his frustration was all too obvious. He only wanted a car that would give him a fighting chance. Looks like for Spa Lotus did just that! Great result for Romain Grosje...
Richard Mille, perhaps more than any watch brand, has One Encompassing Vision
Andrew , Thank you for this in-depth and personal glimpse behind the scenes at Lotus Cars from Richard Mille Watches. Thank you, Mr Mille ! I always knew about Richard Mille's personal passion for motor racing and vaguely some aspects applied to his watch...
Thanks Melvyn - racing cars has always been Richard's driving
passion - no pun intended - and was honoured and glad to be given the opportunity to research and look indepth into F1 car design and manufacture. I believe this is the Lotus of your, and my, childhood as part of the lawsuit and buy out, the gold and blac...
Sadly, MTF
This is not the Lotus team of your memories. Just a name applied to a constructor. Lotus' F1 effort died in the mid-90s, with the name sold on.
I don't need the founder or his descendants to still run the company
BDLJ, I understand but in reality, I don't need the founder or his descendants to still run a company. Enzo and Dino Ferrari died but Ferrari is still a top marque. The same can be said about many brands as long as the Vision and Spirit is remembered. viz...
I agree...
...but ACBC - the brains behind the glories that were the 79, skirts, the 25, even the lovely JPS paintwork,etc, etc. Still to my mind, the most innovative race car designer - died over 30 years ago. The current "Lotus" team is a licencing agreement, as f...
The current Lotus team
used to be Renault F1, which used to be Benneton (which used to be Toleman). So indeed nothing more than a licensed or bought name. Nevertheless good to see some black/gold livery back on the track. Question is; will that turn yellow again? As rumors go R...
I would be a little surprised to see the team turn
yellow again given that the black and gold livery was part of the acquisition discussions. But you never know.... Andrew H
hopefully
Lotus livery will say the way it is now. Maybe a yellow team could be added :-) It would be very good for the sport if more car manufacturers would join F1. BMW, Ford, Toyota and for god's sake Lamborghini please come and play along!
I seem to remember in...
I seem to remember in the recesses of my mind that Lambo had a rather brief and unsuccessful attempt at this in the 1980's? Happy to be corrected, but it did not stick. But I agree that more firms should come along and play. There is even claim for Bugatt...
Indeed! Great photo...
Given the start up costs involved in F1, and the advantage held by larger teams (Brawn GP was in essence an established team), I dont see it happening. Would take too greater change in the rules; and there are too many vested interests in the status quo! ...
Thank you Andrew for this truly extensive detailed article
I feel I just read an encyclopedia for 10 minutes - so much information in your report! It'll take a while to imbibe Regarding the cabon fiber, is there any noticeable increase in strength with regards to the different carbon fiber techniques used today? ...
I don't have your answer Anthony
but as you maybe know already this NTPT material is used for making carbon masts for high-tech sailing boats (and also for carbon sails). I saw a report about the former Swedish challenger during the America's cup and the forces implied are tremendous on ...
I am not sure about the forged carbon...
which always looked like re-set plastic to me - although I can see how it might be strengthening. But the carbon weave, with directional form, that I can understand. Its the old match stick principle: one stick in one direction is easy to snap; a handful ...
CFRP
Hi Anthony, It has been years since I had anything to do with composites, so this is just a rough guide. The benefit of CF is its strength to weight. Optimised designs for CF attempt to ensure that the CF strands are placed in tension ( the rope principle...
Thanks for sharing your knowledge BDLJ
I learned something today. Thanks! Cheers, Anthony
WOW! Impressive. But I thought that NTPT was not
unidirectional - rather the leaves were layered at 45 degree angles to one another in a rotational form. Hence giving that extra rigidity? Could have that wrong, but sure that is what I was shown and told in Switzerland. Hence the similarity with the Lotu...
You're not mistaken!
They (NTPT) do indeed do rotational style weaves. As I wrote, I'm no expert, getting into the likes of quasi-isotropic laminates hurts my head.
This why I love this site.....
You learn so much more than just horology!!! Thanks for this detailed info, very useful and interesting indeed.
Now this is what you cal back stage pass.
All access behind the scenes. You are super lucky to have a front seat and we are lucky you have taken us with you. Need a couple more reads to give any meaningful comments as this is a great report. Thanks Bill
Thanks Bill. Admittedly I was very lucky and
I have to give due credit and thanks to RM EMEA and Lotus F1 for allowing me that kind of access and ability - not only to take notes and see for myself - but also to photograph and post here. Andrew H
What a great in-depth behind the scenes look at the engineering art of Lotus F1 and Richard Mille
He draws from his passions of automobiles and aeronautics into his distinctive and cutting edge works of art. Thanks for the great read!
Thank you Anu. Glad you enjoyed the read and
Welcome! Hope you get to try the watch for yourself. I have always been amazed at how RM watches (supposed men's size watches) also look great on women's wrists. Thanks again Andrew H
