Large UAV


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the bad cat
the bad cat
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I am building a large UAV and would like help in how to laminate the body. I have read that the orientation is important for the strength. 
I want to build in Carbon but what do I use?, How many Layers?, what weight of carbon?, do I use uni, weave or a mix of different types.
Are their any good books or articles I can get ( not with too much tech talk).
ChrisR
ChrisR
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You are almost asking how long is a piece of string, are you looking to make the airframe and cowling from carbon as these require significantly different layups. A non structural cowling could be made of as little as 1 layer of 100gsm depending on size and shape. The main frame layup will depend on the shape, size, expected loads, allowable deflection etc but I'd be looking at non crimped fabrics/UD rather than woven.

Book wise, look at the following, slightly techy but better than a lot of them around

Engineering Design with polymers and composites, Gerdeen, Lord & Rorrer - CRC Press ISBN 0-8247-2379-1
Composite Materials design and applications, Gay & Hoa - CRC Press ISBN 1-4200-4519-9

brainfart
brainfart
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Have a look at RC model plane sites and forums. What you are building is essentially the same. You will get much better info there. Without knowing all the details like speed, expected g loads, size, wingspan, weight etc. you won't get any meaningful answers anyway.

May I also suggest you buy and built some commercial radio-controlled model aircraft before even considering designing your own. Copying existing, proven concepts will be much cheaper and safer in the long run.
the bad cat
the bad cat
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Yes, I realize that , have looked at LOTS of R/C sites, articles and just about everything possible to view on the Web.
but they don't go into much detail. also I know more information about my project is required ( which I am compiling).
All the reading I have done so far has given me a rough idea but I need some advice from someone who has built his own composite aircraft the bigger the better.
brainfart
brainfart
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> I need some advice from someone who has built his own composite aircraft the bigger the better.

You can find plans and detailed build instructions for home-built airplanes online, like e.g. Rutans Long EZ canard aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutan_Long-EZ , and there are many builders sites where people post pictures of what they are doing. Of course you won't learn why things are done the way they are done, like why the spar should have this strength and so on, but if you built a large UAV with a significant weight and size then you might as well use building techniques proven in real aircraft. While these instructions and methods might be 30 or 40 years old they are relatively cheap and easy and proven to work.

Even in real aircraft load bearing fuselage skins are built way to heavy and strong. The reason is "hangar rash", avoiding damage by handling, everyday use and nosey people banging on wing surfaces etc.
For significant load bearing parts like spars try to calculate estimated bending loads, add some safety factor, compare to existing designs and then build conservatively, rather overestimate amount of materials needed and you should be fine.

Might also want to look at aircraft builder sites like homebuiltairplanes.com etc. (although there's alot of bullshit being told there).

the bad cat
the bad cat
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I agree with your last sentence.
I have a copy of moldless composite construction by Rutan which I found helpful but it leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
Do you know anyone who can help me work out the maths of my proposed UVA. My maths is not that great.
many thank for your help so far.
GO

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