RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites
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RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 6/17/2004 5:21:43 AM

rcairplanenut

Posts: 331
Joined: 5/26/2002
From: Aurora, CO, USA
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I typically build only one of each type of model, building molds for a RCM Gitano (some one else design) would be a waist of time for me. I have found it is equal to the weight of a built up former/stringer/skin/balsa block turtle deck (the foam is also hot wired on the inside maintaining a ½” thickness). The weight of that red shell in the picture is 4 oz. NOT pounds. The whole purpose of this thing is for scratch builders that want to have an easier time building turtle decks on one time only builds for a particular design. E-glass over foam is the way Rutan built the Long Eze, that is what I am referring to.

I plan on building a mold for the whole fuse of the other aircraft, it is my own design, for the purpose of an exact reproducible out side geometry and a low effort to time ratio on the shells. This aircraft is also a prototype, not a production model!

I always run my RX antenna inside the fuse, a carbon shell around ½ of it would block the signal. The weight saving benefits of Carbon on a shell that is in close proximity to your RX antenna are not worth a 1000$ crash because of lack of signal ( I have seen this happen, many times)!

All my aircraft fly sir, I do not believe in hanger queens!

SGG

< Message edited by rcairplanenut -- 6/17/2004 12:27:35 AM >

(in reply to Darrinc)

Post #: 26

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 6/17/2004 11:43:55 AM

Darrinc

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From: Piqua, OH, USA
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At the end of the day, no matter how hard I've tried, nothing is lighter than balsa. (thats after 13yrs of trying and capacity of very exotic material to experiment with)

I would at least hot wire the foam down to 1/8"inch. I have done single layer skin turtle and hatch decks up to a 35% Extra with no problems. As far as the signal problem, I have had no problem with any of my all carbon 35% planes. It is only a ground plane when you attach it to a ground.

Glass over foam is cheap for full scale (material cost), but your money is in your time finishing it out. For your top deck. I would just deck it with contest balsa and hotwire it thin.

BTW, Burt did not belive in vacuum bagging when he designed the Long EZE. (I just find that funny)

Mike Melville probably built his the quickest, and he made it the lightest, the fastest and best flying (acrobatic) Long EZE.

But is sure is ugly up close.

He just wanted preformance, and I have no problem with that!

< Message edited by Darrinc -- 6/17/2004 3:56:19 AM >

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(in reply to rcairplanenut)

Post #: 27

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 6/25/2004 11:22:26 AM

iskandar taib

Posts: 168
Joined: 9/30/2002
From: Kuala Lumpur| Malaysia, MALAYSIA
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Or check out molded balsa construction, which is the latest rage in CL Stunt. Molded wing leading edges, molded turtledecks, molded fuselage sides for semi-scale planes, etc. etc. Make a form (can be quite complex), mold the balsa onto it using hot towels (I kid you not).

http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=6814&forum=DCForumID1
http://www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dcforum/DCForumID1/7778.html
http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=3127&forum=DCForumID1
http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=5150&forum=DCForumID1

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Post #: 28

RE: molded balsa construction - 6/25/2004 3:23:16 PM

Magne

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Joined: 3/7/2004
From: Moss, NORWAY
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A bit off topic in this thread, but when "molding" balsa (around a polystyrene plug) I have found that the balsa softens a lot better if soaked in a mixture of 10% ammonia and water. There was an article in an english magazine some years back describing this, and I tried the method. You definitely need protective equipment, such as breathing mask, eye protection etc, as ammonia probably isn't too good for you.
Magne

(in reply to iskandar taib)

Post #: 29

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 6/25/2004 5:43:58 PM

Darrinc

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From: Piqua, OH, USA
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iskandar taib,

All I can say is WOW!!!!! Very nice!!! Have you guys tried this on anything big???

Have you tried 2 layers of 1/16 with each at a different angle? Kind of like / \, that should increase the stiffness.

Or putting lightening holes in the inside sheet of balsa? (although, unless it's heavy balsa, I havent found much weight savings from lightening the balsa, but it does save a lot on glue)

< Message edited by Darrinc -- 6/25/2004 10:03:05 AM >

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Go Team Orange! Darrin R Cash

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Post #: 30

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 7/14/2004 6:25:10 AM

Darrinc

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From: Piqua, OH, USA
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Just use Astroquartz and there won't be a reception problem. Maybe a finacal problem though.

The coolest thing I ever saw at a SAE was this semi flying wing design that was flying at it max weight, it turned for final and a gust of wind hit it and it exploded like someone shot it with a shotgun. Parts and pieces where falling from the sky for a few minutes. I've never seen anything like that!!!!

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RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 12/6/2004 5:32:55 AM

kblack

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From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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What tape do you use?

(in reply to Darrinc)

Post #: 32

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 10/10/2005 9:07:10 AM

Darrinc

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From: Piqua, OH, USA
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I've been reading that some people where looking for some tips and techniques so I thought I would bring this thread back up to the front.

I must apoligies for the carbon/radio discussion in this post. If I could remove them I would.

I have more time now, so I should be able to answer some of your questions if nessesary.

I'm also adding a link for my composite repair on my Comp-Arf.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3379769/tm.htm

< Message edited by Darrinc -- 10/10/2005 9:09:21 AM >

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RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/13/2007 8:05:44 AM

AeroRCmodels

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From: Naperville , IL, USA
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Thank you very much for putting the information here. I hope you will post more great ideas and techniques!

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Jim

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Post #: 34

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/13/2007 4:48:03 PM

Atlanta 60

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Joined: 2/15/2003
From: Cartersville, GA, USA
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quote:

"I must apoligies for the carbon/radio discussion in this post. If I could remove them I would"

"When I get a chance later today, I'll clean up the thread."

Well Darn...I'm just now finding this thread...I've been out of R/C for a while and just getting re-started...

That carbon/radio discussion is a subject I'm Very interested in...Know of any other threads??

This looks like some great info Darrinc...I havn't had a chance to read much..I will later...

I have been on a couple of field trips out to Palmdale...I Really wanted to Visit Scaled...I "Almost" got to but it didn't work out...I did get a T-Shirt though..he he

Got to visit ED...That was Awesome!!

Have Fun...

Chuck

< Message edited by navav2002 -- 2/13/2007 4:49:32 PM >

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RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/14/2007 4:40:27 AM

KevinR100

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Joined: 1/23/2007
From: Palmwoods, AUSTRALIA
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darrin, great thread...
Just a question - I thought that carbon fiber's shear strength was relatively weak but the tensile strength was exceptionally high. Most people's layups tend to be towards using carbon fiber in such a way as to hopefully increase shear strength. Carbon fiber in a composite layup should utilise both aspects of the material. I would appreciate your comments.
kevin

Edit: We are using glass construction for seaplanes & racing boats (models).

< Message edited by KevinR100 -- 2/15/2007 11:21:35 AM >

(in reply to Atlanta 60)

Post #: 36

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/15/2007 10:21:05 AM

MSQ

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Joined: 2/12/2007
From: Lahore, , PAKISTAN
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sorry to chage the topic do you guys have any information about the detail procedure to use novex honey comb in quarter scale airplanes for the wings as well as fues

(in reply to KevinR100)

Post #: 37

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/15/2007 1:53:07 PM

Magne

Posts: 333
Joined: 3/7/2004
From: Moss, NORWAY
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MSQ,

One supplier of Nomex (Aramid honeycomb) is R&G i Germany.
They have a lot of information on their internet site, including how to lay up Nomex honeycomb, what thickness materials to use for various applications etc.
Go to:
http://www.r-g.de/
look for Services, Downloads, R&G Handbuch-Edition8
Chapter 9 is the one you are after.
All in German and English.

Magne

(in reply to MSQ)

Post #: 38

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/16/2007 6:20:55 AM

Mods-R-Me

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Great thread! Lots of good info

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www.MRM-RCModels.com

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Post #: 39

RE: Here is what we do at Scaled Composites - 2/25/2007 7:58:40 AM

troposcuba

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Joined: 10/18/2006
From: raeford, NC, USA
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cool stuff here. i am a structural maintainer on full size planes. we do a lot of composite repairs etc. so i have quite a bit of experience with honeycomb construction. I have never built the structures however. cool info here, anyway just a question for ya about the skinning of honeycomb. when we do repairs, i have found that a good way to impregnate the cloth is to take a couple layers of PVA and put your glass or whatever cloth you are using between them. you can then squeegee the resin into the cloth to wet it out nicely. you can also squeegee out all the excess fiarly easily yielding a consistent amount of resin throughout your cloth. then you layup your repair (or structure) and bag it with a layer of bleeder and peel ply for separator. any excess resin ends up in the bleeder and it is just a matter of separating the peel ply and viola nice results usually are the result. does this technique apply here?

I was also wondering if it is possible to cnc mill nomex honeycomb core material to shape for a wing and then just glass and bag it for a good light wing?? mebbe you could elaborate on the methods of making a nice honeycomb sandwich construction wing?

thanks for the great info.

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at 'em boys, give 'er the gun!

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Post #: 40