XRAY - Model racing cars

We apologize for the late response on this matter. Part of our experienced staff was out of the office at races and we also had to make in-depth analyses and comparisons to address all recent concerns.

The reason that the M18 PRO chassis features different countersinking is that on the M18 and M18T there were several issues and concerns from customers having the screws sticking out below the chassis. As there are several different screws, which is expected between different models, each has different size and profile of the head; some of the screws were protruding from the chassis. For this reason on the M18 PRO the ANGLE of the countersinking was changed, but NOT the depth.

With the different countersinking angle, some of the heads of the screws may make it seem that the countersinking is too deep but the fact it is the angle of the countersinking which makes the head of the screw look as if it is sitting in too deep. We have checked, measured and analyzed several chassis from different batches and found no manufacturing defects.

Please note that all graphite parts are CNC-machined in-house and the machine automatically checks all critical sizes. However, in production there are always certain manufacturing tolerances of material thickness, tool wear, production tolerance, and therefore the holes may slightly differ but for sure are all within tolerance. If anybody feels that their chassis has the hole wrongly countersunk we have no problem with you sending us the chassis for measurement. Of course if there is any manufacturing defect, the chassis will be replaced.


Therefore the conclusion and suggestion is following:

1.) Since different screws have different head profiles, try to look for different screws with heads that may have a better matching profile. Some customers who have no problems with screws protruding below the chassis have even used larger 3mm screws where the head will sit completely in the countersunk hole, but then the head will protrude below the chassis.


2.) Before using the graphite chassis, please use CA glue to seal the sides of the chassis as well as the countersinking of the holes. This will help to eliminate and minimize breakage or splitting of the chassis resulting from a hard crash. It is also suggested before applying the CA glue to sand/chamfer/bevel the chassis edges to help with a smoother deflection on hits or side rolls.

I´m gona sell my pro and look for other brand , because in my proffesional opinionen as a composit airframe technician the angel are way to steep, and together with the small headed screws it makes the optimal condition for delamination. btw the counter sinks are too deep as they makes knife edges. cf you need at least to have 20% of the chickness remaning after the counter shink have been done, not stop it exatly when it goes all the way throug.... but what do I know, I only repair and install new cf parts on airbus airplanes...

Big Inconveniece for those affected !
I just purchased a used M18..luckily it has a different graphite chassis but I had to laugh and chime in after reading the progression on these chassis posts..starting with denial, then absurd requests to spend countless hours and money finding deformed countersunk screws to fit defective countersunk holes, then "well maybe there is a problem" then rip your car apart and send us, the people who were not on top of control measures to begin with, the chassis and we'll tell ya what's what. Well get back to you on that one after we sharpen our bits??
..so where does the 'QUALITY CONROL" at the CNC milling place come in? After the product is released obviously. All those loose tolerances, screws, bit wear, material thickness etc.. are acceptable in somebodys basement shop making widgets but NOT a professional manufacturer. Wheres' the controls BEFORE the chassis is tooled? Dull bits? Who is responsible for that one Measuring the material thickness...what no micrometers available? Seems to me to be a real problem with the chassis and putting the responsibility on the customer to begin long searches for wierd deformed countersunk screws to fit defective holes is a "dust off". Why aren't there serial numbers on the chassis for tracking and in this case..RECALL. Sure someone will devise a home fix and find deformed countersunk screws in some obscure hardware store that fit better..but I personally don't have the time or patience to solve CNC manufacturing problems. Post the specs for the chassis here, let us measure and decide to send it back or not. Who wants to send thier chassis in for god knows how long to the same people who created the problem with no reference as to what the specs are. Did they finally find thier micrometers and sharpen thier dull bits? Human nature and "CYA" go hand in hand. Let's see XRay step up to the plate and hit a home run and stop bunting!!!

What do you mean about the recall? What do you mean with CNC manufacturing problems? Please read again, XRAY did check chassis from different batches and found no manufacturing defect, which means no CNC manufacturing problem. The depth of the countersinking was found on different chassis the same and all specs and meassurements within the standard industry tolerance. However nobody is saying there might not be some individual chassis which have the hole too deep and therefore if anybody feels that his chassis has too much deep holes XRAY will check and meassure and of course any such chassis with a manufacturing deffect will be properly serviced. As all chassis are made with the same program and using same milling/routing/drilling holding tools and production tools I expect very minimum chance some holes are too deep but still there might be some and any such will be of course serviced properly. Please email to info@teamxray.com with full address, serial number and the shop where you bought the product and you will get exact proccedure information.

To take this issue in a constructive way - to prevent graphite material from delaminating after a crash, as any other manufacturers using the graphite material, we suggest, as written in the instruction manual, to sand the edges and to apply CA glue on the sides and with this apply a bit of the CA glue on the sides of the countersinking holes.