AERO Systems (The Perfect Approach to Prep/Build an Arrow)
After working with high speed archery projectiles that exceed 400+ fps for the last 2 years, Firenock LLC learned and recognized that there are a ton of improvements that can be done to address and improve on the process of arrow components and to make assembling significantly more consistent and accurate. That is why we are introducing APS (Arrow Preparation System) to provide the best preparation and tuning system available for arrow preparation before building. AeroPoint system is for perfect concentrically of target points/broad heads to arrow inserts. To complete the system, we also developed no less than 3 insert/outsert systems which are made for the 8mm (common 0.244” ID arrow shaft) and the 9 mm (common 0.300” ID crossbow shafts).
AEROPOINT aka as FACT(Firenock AeroPoint Concentric Technology)
AeroPoint takes arrow performance to an all-new level, by effortlessly concentrically aligning the arrow point. Although new materials with greater strength, lighter weight projectiles, and aerodynamic vanes have all helped to increase performance, there has always been an issue with dynamic forces on the arrow itself, and the consistent alignment of the arrow tip.
An arrow point alignment has been good, but where the neck of the point and the threads may not be concentrically aligned with the arrow insert, or the tip itself. All the archer could hope for was to screw the arrow tip into the arrow insert, and hope that they would align well enough to make the arrow fly with acceptable accuracy. More recently, an O-ring was slid on the neck of some broad head hunting arrow tips. This O-ring was compressed between the base of the arrow tip and the arrow insert. Though this helped with alignment of the broad head blades at the front of the arrow and the vanes at the rear of the arrow, it did nothing to help concentrically aligning the head itself.
AeroPoint uses 2 O-rings that are positioned on the neck of the arrow point and just above the thread, so as to concentrically align the entire point as it is screwed into the arrow insert. Another benefit of the use of 2 O-rings is the prevention of the arrow tip from loosening during repeated use.
Currently it is available in 2 diameter sizes, 8mm and 9mm which shall fit the normal and slim size arrow and the standard crossbows respectively. The 9mm size is also offer in the 45 grains beside the standard 100 grains. This 45 grain 9 mm AeroPoint is specially design to be used on target arrow that are 22/64" and 23/64" outside side diameter with AeroInsert-D and a short inner carbon tube to form a carbon hybrid insert system. With the system, there is no longer a weight penalty by using Firenock AeroPoint and one should expect significant straighter arrow flight with the target arrow as this system reduces in flight oscillation of the arrow and allow the arrow to go into gyro spin much faster. All 3 AeroPoints are made of 303 Stainless and then ice hardened to give it the extra hardness for long term use. The self concentric technology will eliminate most of the spin testing one needs to make sure an arrow is balanced as this system will self concentric the field point every time. This technology can be found in broad heads that has Firenock [FACT] compliance wording on its packaging as spin balance is even more important/critical for broad head flights.
The special feature of this AeroInsert is that it offer automatic concentric technology that is never seen in the archery industry. AeroInsert-A is offer in 2 sizes, both size insert are CNC machine made from 7075-T5 aluminum. The AeroInsert-AA is specially made to address the needs of smaller diameter shafts (0.202”-0.204" internal diameter example: Gold tip Kinetics smaller or equal to 300 spine; any axis arrow, any MFX, or arrows that can fit the A nock form Firenock, X nock from Easton, or Gold tip Accutough nock)) and is hard anodized in black with Firenock laser marking. Most inserts for slim arrow shafts are good at their best, where the neck of the point and the threads might be off concentrically from the arrow insert, and of the tip itself. All archers’ hope was to glue the insert into the arrow, and hope that they would align well enough to make the arrow fly with acceptable accuracy. More recently, so called hidden insert, in-outsert system O-ring was to slide onto the neck of some arrow tips. Though these hidden inserts slightly help alignment, they offer no long term solution, as the arrow inserts could still be misaligned as there is always tolerance issues and difficult to glue perfectly while concentrating the insert. While AeroInsert-AS is specially made to fit arrow of standard size that has ID of 0.244" to 0.246" (aka S nock size) and due to its size it is neither anodized nor laser marking. AeroInsert_AA for 2013 is lower in weight, it is now only 18.0 grains compare to 21 grain in 2012 and AeroInsert_AS is 10.5 grains.
In case of high powered bows and most slim style inserts, an arrow shaft is cut perpendicular to its length, a weakness is created at the most critical point which is the end that impacts the target. When an arrow insert is positioned at the end of an arrow shaft, upon impact, these extreme forces are applied to the end of the shaft at its weakest point. Since the end of the shaft is flat, and the collar on the insert is flat, these forces are allowed to go out radically form the arrow, causing the front end of the arrow shaft to mushroom as the arrow insert is forced backwards. The in-outsert system although address some of the issues, the fact that it makes removing arrow from target very difficult which causes it to disappear all together on the current market just after 2 years.
AeroInsert-A takes arrow performance to an all new level, by allowing auto strengthening the forward end of the arrow shaft itself and concentric itself with simple straight forward arrow installing process (US Pat P.) AeroInsert-A strengthens the forward end of an arrow by forcing the front end of the arrow shaft at an angle, the reverse angle collar on the back of the insert will force mate with said shaft end on every impact. The design will force this pressure from impact to be confined, thus eliminating the mushrooming effect of standard style inserts and arrow shafts that are cut of perpendicular to the length of the shaft. This effect is further utilized for concentrically of the insert to the shaft. By simply squaring the shaft and make sure the shaft do not go over the outside of the insert, the arrow will be concentric even if it is not concentric when first installed. The continuous shooting/pounding of the arrow, with the reverse taper back side of the insert, the forced deformation of the shaft in micro increment is what caused the self concentrically of this insert. AeroInsert-AA for 0.204" ID arrow AeroInsert-AS for 0.245" ID arrow
AeroInsert-DS and DA are made of Stainless and Aluminum respectively to address different durability and kinetic transfer needs for different archery projectile requirements. AeroInsert-D takes arrow performance to an all new level, by concentrically aligning the arrow insert, and strengthening the arrow shaft itself without adding weight. (US PAT)
Common 22/64"(0.300") size arrow insert is good at its best with issue, where the neck of the point and the threads might be off concentrically from the arrow insert, and of the tip itself. All the target archers could hope for was to screw the arrow tip into the arrow insert, and hope that they would align well enough to make the arrow fly with acceptable accuracy. A short, single piece insert that was not concentrically aligned will negatively impact the accuracy of the arrow. If the tolerances were poor on the insert or the shaft wall, it was nearly impossible to ensure concentric alignment of the arrow point, and consistent arrow flight. In addition to poor flight characteristics, the short insert, due to its length, has very little adhesive surface area. Having such a small adhesive surface, upon impact, it was common for the insert to come dislodged from the arrow shaft, thus forcing the insert and arrow tip rearward into the arrow shaft, causing the forward end of the arrow shaft to mushroom.
Another problem with high powered crossbows which uses the 0.300” ID has been the weakness of the spine of an arrow shaft. One cure for this was to increase the wall thickness of the entire arrow shaft, but this added unwanted and unneeded weight to the arrow, thus decreasing performance. Most recently, there have been developments in addressing the issue of spine stiffness. One uses a tapered shaft, larger at the front than the rear, and another claims a dual spine achieved by changing the wrapping sequence of the composite. These arrow shafts still rely on tolerances being met on both shaft and the short, single piece insert. For the sake of clarification and definition, an arrow insert is a coupling means that is adhesively inserted into the end of an arrow shaft, wherein said coupling means is used to couple an arrow tip to an arrow. AeroInsert-D’s dual step insert increases adhesive surface area of the longer insert, which also increases accuracy for concentric alignment of the insert, so as to concentrically align the point as it is screwed into the arrow insert.
By utilizing a dual step insert with an extension (Hybrid system), the arrow shaft can be made much stiffer at the front, where it is needed, without adding weight to the entire arrow shaft, thus increasing performance and accuracy. Advantageously, AeroInsert-D hybrid insert system allows an arrow insert to have greater adhesive contact surface. This also allows precise adjustment to the overall arrow weight, by adjusting the length of the extension shaft. A longer extension shaft results greater weight, and a shorter extension shaft results lighter weight. This Hybrid-Insert system is only made possible with the advance of and research on adhesive that not only bonds perfectly to multiple materials, while maintain flexibility.
The AeroInsert-D23A was design to futher exploit the ability for shaft like the Black Eagle Challenger and Easton FatBoy by added a custom built ultra high modular hybrid insert for the system. AID23A must be used with a customized inner shaft to work, which is one of the companion product that we design with the AID23A. The ultra high modular carbon shaft is only 5.92 grains per inch, which mean with a 45 grain field point and the 20 gains insert weight one can add as much as 6 inches of shaft for the front end and be the same as a 100 grain glue in point! AeroInsert-D22(A/S) 12-pk AeroInsert-D23A 12-pk short carbon tubing to be used as part of the hybrid insert system above
AeroOutserts™ are made of high quality forged 7075-T5 Aluminum to address the needs for ultra thin archery projectile requirements. AeroOutserts take arrow performance to an all new level as AeroOutsert protecting and strengthening the new generation ultra arrow shaft without adding much weight via our Blood Channels™ (US PAT Pending). AeroOutsert also allow one to use conventional arrow points instead of proprietary ultra thin components.
AeroOutserts out compete insert/half-out serts. Common 0.165"-0.166” size arrow insert/half-out insert is only half good at best comparing with AeroOutsert as the neck of the point and the threads might be off concentrically from the insert/half out insert, and of the tip itself. This is due to the fact that all ID (Internal Diameter) based components may not be concentric with the arrow shaft as the wall thickness of the arrow shaft may not be perfectly equal due to the process of center-less grind which is usually used for this class of arrow (usually with 0.166" ID). Thus arrow shaft installed with insert/half-out serts cannot achieve perfect concentrically while those installed with AeroOutsert can as the AeroOutsert uses outer diameter of the arrow shaft for installation.
AeroOutserts also out competes traditional outsert which suffering from perimeter wedging effect while AeroOutsert's Blood Channel is designed to minimize this effect. The Blood Channel is a plurality of axial slots which are machined over the outer perimeter of the AeroOutsert and these axial slots gradually taper inward towards the center line of the AeroOutsert. The feature of Blood Channel relief the pressure built up over the outer perimeter of the arrow, thus reducing wedging effect. This feature allows one to pull out arrow from a penetrated object easily, while reduce weight with minimum effect on strength.
Tips and tricks on AeroOutsert™ Installation
Some customers may face installation issue while trying to PERFECT fit an AeroOutsert system onto their arrows. Being an outsert system, it need to fit the outside diameter of an arrow as perfectly as possible. In the case of most carbon arrows, the inside diameter is the only dimension of the shaft that is controlled as it is rolled on the mandrel, therefore it is the only size that is as close to be exact. The fact that most arrow are rolled, the thickness of the shaft will be determined by how much is being sand off after it is rolled and cured. Thus, the outside diameter of the arrow is usually not exact. To make matter worst, for most of this class of shaft (0.166" ID) a center less grind process was used, which lead to the OD and the ID may not be concentric. Experience with installing AeroOutsert on various arrows confirmed that some of the manufacturer's published arrow OD sizes are only base line references, which can vary as much as 0.008" or 0.20mm.
Base on tests that were done, it is believe the best way to install as outsert system is to first get the closest smaller AeroOutsert than the outside diameter of the arrow. Then try to dry fit all allow to find the best bit of each shaft on each AeroOutsert. For the really tight fitting one, slight circular sand the outside diameter of the shaft until it barely fit. As long as one do the sanding by turning the shaft and holding the ultra fine sand paper (300 grid or finer) over it, the shafts' concentrically should not be off after sanding. After sanding, dipping the sanded shaft's end in pure acetone. Cleaning the inside of the AeroOutsert with Q-tips and acetone is what was found to be the best starting point with any gluing process. For ultra tight fit ones, any fresh CA(super glue) glue will work. For loser fit installation, use 10 minutes epoxy and keep turning it while standing the arrow up will help to keep the arrow and the AeroOutsert concentric. One should stand the arrow upright after you had confirmed that the outsert is concentric with the shaft via spinning. If you just lay the arrow on its side, shaft will fall toward one side inside the AeroOutsert after it was glued and no longer be concentric.
AeroOutsert is now available in 10 sizes 5.77, 5.83, 5.89, 5.97, 6.06, 6.12. 6.15, 6.22, 6.31, and 6.33 mm and weight 30.5 betwwen 33 +/- 1 grains respectively depends on size. The larger the hole, the lighter the weight ofthe AeroOutsert. AeroOutsert are anodized in black with their size and Firenock brand laser marked on the AeroOutsert. In case of 6.31 when it is sold out, no more will be made. With the 2 new sizes added to the list: 6.12, and 6.33 which will result in 9 final sizes.
Below is a table for the most common 0.165" - 0.166" ID shafts' outside diameter and AeroOutsert that fits each. any size 12-pk
AeroBushing™ are made from high quality CNC machined 7075-T5 aluminum to address the needs for ultra lightweight and consistent archery projectile requirements on the nock side. Traditionally uni-bushing are made with bar stock and screw machines to approximate fit so average target archery will use material like plastic bag to shim fit the bushing and insert a nock in it to shot. This approach is far from accurate and consistent. Not to mention the standard weight of the uni-bushing and nock system usually weight between 20-25 grains. AeroBushing utilize the same approach of Firenock nocks' force compression system but do it in reverse. Instead of a round collar, AeroBushing is a 4 prong star shape. This will force the arrow to concentric with the bushing and this concentric with the nock. This approach also have another major advantage is that it is significantly lighter. Unlike a normal bushing or 23/64" size which is about 12 grains, the AeroBuhsing-23 weights just under 7 grain by itself. AeroBushing also is different by using a totally different size of nock than standard uni-bushing for 23/64 size. Instead of the usual G (0.166" ID) or S (0.245" ID) AeroBushing utilize the Firenock A style nock which is 0.204". We at Firenock belief that the A style nock is the most ideal nock for target. First it is super light weight, at 4.85 grains it is lighter than most 0.166" ID nocks. Form the molding point of view, it has the most advance nock throat which means it gives the best arrow to string there is. Thus the final weight of the entire system is only about 12 grains complete. AeroBushing 23/64" 12-pk
We at Firenock believe with we can now approach the 22/64” and 23/65” target arrows with a complete system that is unique to the target archer’s need. With our AeroInsert-D, our “V” style nock, AeroBushings with “A” style nock; and a 55 grain arrow point, all the components arrow for the 2 most common target arrows, the 22/64” and 23/64” arrows can be furnished entirely by us.
For 22/64” one can use our V nock at the back, and have a short piece of carbon which has a 0.246" ID and 0.298” OD, aFirenock AeroInsert-DA22, and an AeroPoint 9mm wide 45 grain. With this set up, we can substantially stiffen the front section of the arrow with no weight penalty and able to form a much more durable front end of the arrow. Due to a removable point, one can replace the point anytime. As it is an AeroPoint, our patent ability to have the point be concentric to the shaft makes it ideal for rough target prolong usage.
For 23/64” size arrow, besides what is done for the front, one can utilize our new AeroBushing system which weighs about 12 grains (bushing and nock), not to mention this system utilizes the best fitting and most precise polycarbonate nock that Firenock has produced, our “A” nock which weighs about 5 grains. Pictures of front end components for 22/64", 23/64", and 23/64" system weight reference below.
