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Large UAV
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the bad cat
the bad cat
posted 11 Years Ago
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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).
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brainfart
brainfart
posted 11 Years Ago
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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).
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the bad cat
the bad cat
posted 11 Years Ago
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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.
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Large UAV
the bad cat
-
11 Years Ago
You are almost asking how long is a piece of string, are you looking to make the airframe and...
ChrisR
-
11 Years Ago
Have a look at RC model plane sites and forums. What you are building is essentially the same. You...
brainfart
-
11 Years Ago
Yes, I realize that , have looked at LOTS of R/C sites, articles and just about everything...
the bad cat
-
11 Years Ago
> I need some advice from someone who has built his own composite aircraft the bigger the...
brainfart
-
11 Years Ago
I agree with your last sentence. I have a copy of moldless composite construction by Rutan which I...
the bad cat
-
11 Years Ago
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