Stronger Docking Ports

[Zeenobit]

When using docking ports, I'm noticing a lot of wobbling effect with my components. Mainly when trying to build a fully modular vehicle, the whole thing is a wobbly mess.

Of course, I could use struts (KAS or Quantum Struts) to strengthen the joint, but I'd like to avoid them for aesthetic reasons.

Is there any mod or any way to strengthen the docking point joints besides using struts? If not, does anybody know of a mod with invisible struts that also support KAS?

[Alshain]

The only advice I know to give is pull don't push. There is a reason train engines pull cars, if they pushed them the entire train would derail. Plan your ship the same way, make sure ships with heavy docking port use are set up with engines that pull.

[RainDreamer]

You can try this mod: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/55657-0-25-Kerbal-Joint-Reinforcement-v2-4-4-10-7-14?highlight=KErbal+joint+reinforcement

It should help easing the wobbling, especially when loading in the vehicle, though depending on the size, it may still not be enough.

[Zeenobit]

The only advice I know to give is pull don't push. There is a reason train engines pull cars, if they pushed them the entire train would derail. Plan your ship the same way, make sure ships with heavy docking port use are set up with engines that pull.

That's actually a really interesting point. Might be difficult when moving the modules around, but certainly doable.

You can try this mod: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/55657-0-25-Kerbal-Joint-Reinforcement-v2-4-4-10-7-14?highlight=KErbal+joint+reinforcement

It should help easing the wobbling, especially when loading in the vehicle, though depending on the size, it may still not be enough.

I already have that mod. It does help with structural wobbling, but I don't think it affects docking ports, unfortunately.

[BAPBAP]

Push or pull no matter what are you doing, if you doing it with grouped MULTIPLE docking ports. Set up subassembly with 2-4 standart docking ports for further use.

[Superfluous J]

I do not in any way condone making rockets like this (though it's fun) but the mothership in my Jool 5 entry had lots and lots of docking ports, and everything was attached at the top and dangled down. It was ugly but it got the job done. Well, it didn't actually get the job done but it had a really good time trying.

[Crown]

[...]make sure ships with heavy docking port use are set up with engines that pull.

As far as I know, the size of the docking port doesn't affect the it's tension strength. I don't know if is affects on the wobbly thing. But for the rest, I agree. Pull the ship if you are using docking ports to assemble it. The wiki can provide you with more information about the docking ports.

edit: Yes, the huge docking ports bend less than the smaller ones. It is more likely to rip the docking part off the rest of the ship than make it bend.

Edited November 21, 2014 by Crown
Tested the bending things of docking ports in KSP

[Jouni]

Pushing designs can also be made wobble-free. Here are some ideas that make it easier.

1. All engines should be placed in the same module. The center of mass of the entire ship should always be within this module.
   
2. Engines placed in front of the center of mass should be gimbal locked.
   
3. Heavy modules should be placed as close to the center of mass as possible. Their centers of mass should be as close to the engine module as possible.
   
4. Consider disabling reaction wheels that are far away from the center of mass, especially if there are multiple docking ports in between.
   
5. If a module is bigger than a few tonnes, always connect it with a 2.5 m docking port or with multiple docking ports.
   
6. Avoid docking anything radially to the ship, or at least use more rigid connections than would be needed for pushing/pulling the same module.
   
7. If you have many modules, place many docking ports facing the same direction in a single core module, instead of building trains of multiple modules.
   
8. Always make the ship symmetric across the main axis.