Which is lighter?
#2
My Feedback: (50)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Bolivia, NC
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
Depends on how the ribbed wing is built and wood selection.
I can usually build lighter foam sheeted wings using contest grade balsa than I can build a ribbed wing. I can always build a straighter foam wing. Wood selection is key to both however.
I can usually build lighter foam sheeted wings using contest grade balsa than I can build a ribbed wing. I can always build a straighter foam wing. Wood selection is key to both however.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Madison,
OH
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
The "average" built up wing tends to be lighter than the "average" foam core wing. However with some special building techniques such as lightening holes in the foam, and very judicial glue usage, the foam wing can be built as light as a good light weight built up wing. Notice my use of the word "average".
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tampere, FINLAND
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
Which size wings are the target ?- and why not Fiber-Glass ones to compare with ?
It looks to me for thick (pattern-flying) wings the Foam is maybe(?) not the best solution, but
it might be better if someone wants to have hard-surface by oter reasons and monocote is
not so robust for that. I like the smooth, exact(!) surface of the foam wings but almost no one
is making them arround at low cost. Could you name some not-too-expensive foam wings
one can get from the main RC suppliers ?
It looks to me for thick (pattern-flying) wings the Foam is maybe(?) not the best solution, but
it might be better if someone wants to have hard-surface by oter reasons and monocote is
not so robust for that. I like the smooth, exact(!) surface of the foam wings but almost no one
is making them arround at low cost. Could you name some not-too-expensive foam wings
one can get from the main RC suppliers ?
#5
RE: Which is lighter?
Hi Mtcarey
It is similar.
For two pieces wings :
I did wings foam/balsa sheet, ribbed wings. So weight is about 450 g (15,87 onces) totaly finished (oracover, servo, quick link ..) without carbon tube
I had composite wing (painted in the mold) planes Rhapsody and Cocaine. Weight are 470 g (16,58 onces) with servo, quick link ...
There is an exception as one piece wing made by CPLR foam and brown paper (weight about 700/750 g (24,7/26,45 onces).
Claude
It is similar.
For two pieces wings :
I did wings foam/balsa sheet, ribbed wings. So weight is about 450 g (15,87 onces) totaly finished (oracover, servo, quick link ..) without carbon tube
I had composite wing (painted in the mold) planes Rhapsody and Cocaine. Weight are 470 g (16,58 onces) with servo, quick link ...
There is an exception as one piece wing made by CPLR foam and brown paper (weight about 700/750 g (24,7/26,45 onces).
Claude
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
I'm starting to think also that foam wings tend to be "quieter" which may be a concern if you're building an IC powered ship.
wait, I take that back, I'm not starting to think, I "know"
wait, I take that back, I'm not starting to think, I "know"
#8
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Antonio,
TX
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
I have built foam wings ready to fly at 12.5 oz and so have many others.
Personally, strength and weight favor the foam wing by far. Unless you dont sheet the entire balsa structure, could save weight there.
Chuck Hochhalter
Personally, strength and weight favor the foam wing by far. Unless you dont sheet the entire balsa structure, could save weight there.
Chuck Hochhalter
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TauntonSomerset, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
I think alot of it is to so with construction times, Foam is quicker and easier to build. I do not think a foam wing would be any lighter or stronger than professional built built up wing. But the built up wing would probably take four times longer.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: private, FRANCE
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
For what it's worth Ola Fremming has a great descripion on how to cut even more weight out of a foam wing after vacuum bagging.
http://www.ofremmi.info/HowTo/WingLi..._foam_core.htm
http://www.ofremmi.info/HowTo/WingLi..._foam_core.htm
#11
My Feedback: (5)
RE: Which is lighter?
ORIGINAL: Rendegade
I'm starting to think also that foam wings tend to be ''quieter'' which may be a concern if you're building an IC powered ship.
I'm starting to think also that foam wings tend to be ''quieter'' which may be a concern if you're building an IC powered ship.
#12
My Feedback: (5)
RE: Which is lighter?
ORIGINAL: RC_Pattern_Flyer
I have built foam wings ready to fly at 12.5 oz and so have many others.
Personally, strength and weight favor the foam wing by far. Unless you dont sheet the entire balsa structure, could save weight there.
Chuck Hochhalter
I have built foam wings ready to fly at 12.5 oz and so have many others.
Personally, strength and weight favor the foam wing by far. Unless you dont sheet the entire balsa structure, could save weight there.
Chuck Hochhalter
#13
My Feedback: (5)
RE: Which is lighter?
ORIGINAL: foofydoo
I think alot of it is to so with construction times, Foam is quicker and easier to build. I do not think a foam wing would be any lighter or stronger than professional built built up wing. But the built up wing would probably take four times longer.
I think alot of it is to so with construction times, Foam is quicker and easier to build. I do not think a foam wing would be any lighter or stronger than professional built built up wing. But the built up wing would probably take four times longer.
With foam, you still need to cut the core. If it is hand cut, and both sides are not absolutely identical it becomes a real pain. I sheeted 12 sets of wings for a guy one time and the thickness varied by as much as 1/32 inch. If they had been CNC'd, I could have done them in half the time. And you still have to trim and edge glue the sheeting. Glue it and vacuum bag it. Cut out the ailerons, hinge them, cut, etc. servo pockets. I can assemble a good laser cut wood wing almost as fast
#14
RE: Which is lighter?
Hi Dave
I aggree with you. Also with 2 pieces built up wings it is easier to install carbon tube.
Now for friend of mine I 'm doing 2 pieces wings for plane Nebula as shown on pics below :
2 last pics are shoot on french championship.
Claude
I aggree with you. Also with 2 pieces built up wings it is easier to install carbon tube.
Now for friend of mine I 'm doing 2 pieces wings for plane Nebula as shown on pics below :
2 last pics are shoot on french championship.
Claude
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
Wow . . the Nebula looks NICE !
For interest, pics of my Wind S Pro 'built up' wings . . 348.9g (12.3oz). Both wings are within a gram of each other.
JB
For interest, pics of my Wind S Pro 'built up' wings . . 348.9g (12.3oz). Both wings are within a gram of each other.
JB
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: TauntonSomerset, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
Hi Jeff
Is that each wing? My foams wings came out at 850 grms, which I think was pretty good seeing as I wasn't keeping check on the weight.
Just looking at the photos of your plane, are they composite wings or built up balsa skinned?
Nice photos too Claude.
What type of material is the ribs from on the model you are building. Is it light ply or balsa, also what width, is it 1/16 or 3/32 or 1/8?
Cheers?
Is that each wing? My foams wings came out at 850 grms, which I think was pretty good seeing as I wasn't keeping check on the weight.
Just looking at the photos of your plane, are they composite wings or built up balsa skinned?
Nice photos too Claude.
What type of material is the ribs from on the model you are building. Is it light ply or balsa, also what width, is it 1/16 or 3/32 or 1/8?
Cheers?
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
ORIGINAL: dreadnaut
This hadn't occurred to me before, but to anyone who has played an acoustic guitar, and an unplugged solid electric guitar it makes a lot of sense. It probably is not as much of a concern with electric, where the vibration is less.
ORIGINAL: Rendegade
I'm starting to think also that foam wings tend to be ''quieter'' which may be a concern if you're building an IC powered ship.
I'm starting to think also that foam wings tend to be ''quieter'' which may be a concern if you're building an IC powered ship.
Yep, you got it!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Which is lighter?
ORIGINAL: foofydoo
Hi Jeff
Is that each wing? My foams wings came out at 850 grms, which I think was pretty good seeing as I wasn't keeping check on the weight.
Just looking at the photos of your plane, are they composite wings or built up balsa skinned?
Hi Jeff
Is that each wing? My foams wings came out at 850 grms, which I think was pretty good seeing as I wasn't keeping check on the weight.
Just looking at the photos of your plane, are they composite wings or built up balsa skinned?
JB
#19
RE: Which is lighter?
Hi Foofydoo
There are 17 ribs. 15 are made of normal balsa 2 mm (0.079 "). Rib number 1 and 5 which support carbon sleeve are made of 3 mm light plywood (0.118 ").
Note that there is a litle bit difference between 2 airfoils. May be it's real or suppose due to the cutting foam or the drawing I did with my pencil !
There are 17 ribs. 15 are made of normal balsa 2 mm (0.079 "). Rib number 1 and 5 which support carbon sleeve are made of 3 mm light plywood (0.118 ").
Note that there is a litle bit difference between 2 airfoils. May be it's real or suppose due to the cutting foam or the drawing I did with my pencil !