MG4 Wheel inserts to replace aero covers

[RayPalmer]

I have now developed a set of models which can be 3D printed to allow people to replace the aero cover with these inserts to better style the wheels of a MG4.
Currently they are only for display only as the clips holding them in will not hold when driven right now, but will be very soon more sturdy with better holding capability to allow the car to be driven around at speed without them falling off.
Hope every likes what they look like.
Once tested on my orange MG4 at speeds of 80 kph or better I can then place them in the forum chat as both the FreeCAD model and STLs for anyone to 3D print their own sets. It does take quite some time to print as the Orange ASB material printing is very very slow to prevent warping during the printing process.

 

[Coulomb]

I have now developed a set of models which can be 3D printed to allow people to replace the aero cover with these inserts to better style the wheels of a MG4.

An interesting idea, and they look good to my eye.

Wouldn't you want to spell kilo watt hours correctly? It's kWh. You have written kelvin week hour. The capital letter for a Standards International unit is capitalised only for the names of people, Lord Kelvin in your case, or James Watt for the unit of energy in a battery.

Strangely, when writing the unit out in full, like kelvin or volt, it's considered an ordinarily word, so is not capitalised unless at the start of a sentence.

 

[RayPalmer]

Yes I know kWh, but It is just a small issue and the next time I post pictures of the next set it will by kWh.

 

[tsedge]

Bravo on your ingenuity and creativity! Great to see someone experimenting with this, well done.

 

[RayPalmer]

Here is what the existing inserts look like on the car. I think looks better than the prior images.
I will soon upload to youtube a video of these inserts when I correct the Kwh to kWh text.

 

[hojnikb]

Did anyone test different wheel sizes/covers and which is most efficient? For example, would a Trophy 64kWh be more efficient with the smaller 17" steelies from the standard model?

 

[siteguru]

The UK standard (SE) model comes with 17" alloys, not steelies.

But the only way you'd notice any real difference is by running standardised tests under controlled conditions, otherwise there are too many variables that would swamp the effect of changing wheel size or using aero trims.

 

[hojnikb]

The UK standard (SE) model comes with 17" alloys, not steelies.

But the only way you'd notice any real difference is by running standardised tests under controlled conditions, otherwise there are too many variables that would swamp the effect of changing wheel size or using aero trims.

Oh, TIL.

EU spec standard 51kWh has steelies.

 

[Rolfe]

I think we're back to whether your cup of tea cools faster if you don't put the milk in until you're ready to drink it. Sufficiently standardised tests, repeated often enough, would almost certainly show that it does. But what actual difference does even a second or so make? Just move your hand a bit more slowly on the way to your mouth and it will have the same effect.

 

[finesse]

any update about this? i like the idea.

 

[salty]

Very impressive!! Like um. ??

 

[RayPalmer]

I have now managed to print a complete set for my MG4 and you can see them in the attached picture. The next version currently being printed improves on the installation in that they no longer need a screw and insert to make them stay in place. So far the new version does slip about 1-2mm due to forces of rotation (I cannot at the moment get around that, but i'm working that too).
My driving over the past couple of weeks have found none of them wanting to come off at speeds of about 70 kph.
Attached are the FreeCAD/STL files for anyone to print for themselves and pictures of my current setup and next set to be installed.