This device contains liquid silicon which resists movement and so creates a smooth mechanical resistance to the rotation of levers. There are many manufacturers of these dampers and hopefully you will find an equivalent in your region. Check the dimensions on the Wixroyd page to ensure it is an exact match. There are weaker versions of this damper which have damping forces of the order of 100gf.cm but this offers much more substantial resistance.
The unit price of this part is only £2.18 + p&p + tax. However I have yet to find a supplier who is not focussed on businesses and higher volumes, so at present it is rather expensive to source. You need to spend at least £10 and then with small order surcharges and delivery you end up with a bill of just under £30. You can choose not to get this part as it won’t prevent the AuthentiKit device from working – it just won’t feel as good. So far only one of these is used in AuthentiKit controls (P-40B quadrant) but it does add a nice feel so I intend to add it to several devices. As an indicative unit price, let’s say you will use 3 of these over time making a unit price of £10
£10
Substitutions
Although this damper can usually be ommitted from a control without loss of functionality, it makes a huge difference to the feel of the control. I am trying to find alternatives to the Wixroyd damper as it is so expensive. There is a possibility that the ACE FRT-C2-301-G1 from ACE Controls can be adapted although it isn’t exactly the same. It appears that only the mounting is different.
Over the last few months I’ve made numerous incremental improvements to various AuthentiKit components. The changes have been to increase strength and longevity as well as to improve performance. An example is the MagHall 6803F unit that is used to read positional axis data. It was found that over time a little slack could develop where the lever fits to the MagHall unit causing an unsatisfying loose feel in use as well as impacting the accuracy of the positional data. In the render here you can see how the peg now has extra mesh points that make for a much more secure mating of the two parts.
Cosmetic improvements
Finally the Spitfire MkIX prop lever has the recessed lettering with AIRSCREW CONTROL that can be filled with white silicon. The lettering is also the correct way round unlike the version I made for the Spitfire Mk1A. The Mk1A also has this new corrected prop lever.
AIRSCREW CONTROL is now displayed on the prop lever – in the correct orientation
Improved Sourcing Information
As well as parts updates, there is now a new clearer Bill of Materials format with improved sourcing information. Every item used in an AuthentiKit product now has a unique part code and there is a sourcing page on this website with information about that code. An example is the microswitch used in the flaps levers. It has part code ATK206 and you can find out more about it at authentikit.org/ATK206/
Every single download refreshed
Some of the new parts have been shared on Discord already but in general the downloads have not yet been refreshed with these new parts as I wanted to test them over time. Today every single download has been refreshed either with a new Bill of Materials or new parts. Here is a list of changes and here is the download link.
Spitfire MkIX Starter Kit A
There is a new bill of materials
Spitfire MkIX Add on Kit B
New Bill of Materials
The following parts have been strengthened to reduce the chance of the jaws cracking if overtightened. Printing the jaws at 100% infill is still recommended.
Strengthened 27mm clutch grip – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened extension arm short – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened extension arm long – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 35 – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 48 – also now a 3MF file
Upgraded MagHall 6803F – Cap, Base and Peg are all improved
Upgraded Throttle lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Mixture lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Prop friction disc – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Prop lever – includes AIRSCREW CONTROL lettering
Spitfire Flaps Lever
New Bill of Materials
Spitfire Mk1A Quadrant and Trim Wheels Kit
New Bill of Materials
Upgraded MagHall 6803F – Cap, Base and Peg are all improved
Upgraded Throttle lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Mixture lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Prop friction disc – improved mating with MagHall peg
Upgraded Prop lever – includes AIRSCREW CONTROL lettering
P-40B Tomahawk Elevator and Rudder Trim Wheels Kit
New Bill of Materials
Universal Hub Starter Kit
New Bill of Materials
Universal Hub Upgrade Kit
New Bill of Materials
Rig Extension A
New Bill of Materials
The following parts have been strengthened to reduce the chance of the jaws cracking if overtightened. Printing the jaws at 100% infill is still recommended.
Strengthened 27mm clutch grip – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened extension arm short – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened extension arm long – also now a 3MF file
Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 35 – also now a 3MF file
Added monitor pole clutch grip 48 for fat pole monitor stands
M4 phillips head machine screw with round (or pan) head x 50mm long zinc plated
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: Various
Used to provide a more interesting bolt head for external parts. This is a rather long and currently nt commonly used screw. The P40B uses two of them in the quadrant.
So far these is only a need for two of these and you can order two via the link above for 75p each. You might as well buy a few more for little extra cost in case we use them again. As a compromise on indicative price I’ve suggested 50p each.
£0.50
Substitutions
Allen key head looks good too. Stainless steel or black is nicer but costs more.
These are quite a rarely used size which makes the unit price effectively more than the other lengths of this machine screw. You could just buy a pack of two as that is all that is used so far in AuthentiKit controls, which would make these about 75p each. As there may be occasional further uses an indicative price of 35p has been chosen.
£0.35
Substitutions
These must be a small round head as some designs include cavities for the head. You could use a non phillips head fitting but it isn’t recommended as the screws are just a bit harder to handle.
M4 Countersunk flat head phillips head machine screw 25mm long
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: Various
Use either zinc plated or stainless steel. Get philips head if you can as the PH2 but fits them very nicely, otherwise pozidrive will do. These tend to only get used with Roten6003 units where for stability you need the screw to go all the way through the base with some clearance.
These are not a common length with AuthentiKit designs and as you tend to have to buy packs of at least 10 the unit price is effectively higher than other lengths.
£0.25
Substitutions
Pozidrive is an option if you can’t get phillips head.
These things are tiny any usually sold in packs of 50, 100 or even 500. Unfortunately we don’t use these much in AuthentiKit controls and you will probably only use 2, maybe 4. You may be able to get a pack for as little as £2 putting the unit price at £0.50. With a bit of luck though you’ll have some lying around.
£0.50
Substitutions
You can get away with as little as 5mm in length and 8mm at a push. You’d probably also get away with M2.3
These things are tiny any usually sold in packs of at least 20. You’ll use perhaps 8 of these in a full cockpit.
£0.30
Substitutions
These must be a small round head as some designs include cavities for the head. You could use a non phillips head fitting but it isn’t recommended as the screws are just a bit harder to handle.
Strong thin craft wire used for pulling wires through silicone tube.
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: Various
Dragging silicone wires through silicone tubes, as we do with the Spitfire MkIX throttle quadrant, is not easy as the friction causes the wire to stick. Craft wire like this is a good solution. A length of at least 60cm is needed. Aluminium has good strength for this.
