Carbon I beam for lap steel guitar


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Neiluj
Neiluj
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Hi everyone, 

I would like to build a carbon I beam (IPN). Around 1 meter long, 12 cm for the center part and 8 cm for the parallel parts. 
I would need it to be quite stiff and with a thickness around 3mm at least. 

Does anyone has any idea of how to do this ? 

To be honest my project is to build a lap steel guitar, similar to this one (already made by myself, into aluminum) 

http://nuitnuitnuit.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/mg_8932-web.jpg


http://nuitnuitnuit.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/mg_8936-web.jpg




My questions are :
Will I find a rather easy way of making a I beam, or is it more simple to just do 2 U beams that I glue together ? 
What would be the down points of making two you beams instead of a I beam ?

Can I avoid the backing part ?
I saw tutorials on the internet where the guy puts his composites in the oven and some where he does not and I haven't yet figured out what the true difference is ? (the video clips i saw about cello and guitars were actually baking their parts).

Can I avoid the infusion part (although I find it very cool) ?

In other words what would be the down points of doing a simple method like this one :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAdVO8Rkv6c

I hope I have not asked too many questions at the same time. 
Thank you all in advance for your answer. 

Regards, 
Julien 
Edited 11 Years Ago by Neiluj
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> Will I find a rather easy way of making a I beam, or is it more simple to just do 2 U beams that I glue together ?

The latter is easier, but it's a waste of material, because most of the material will be in the wrong location, strengthwise.

You are working with composites now, so other shapes that are difficult or even impossible with metals can be used.
Does the part really have to be shaped like an I beam? What about other shapes? E.g. a box structure?

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXX          XXXX
      X          X
      X          X
XXXX          XXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX    (Picture is obviously sideweays, rotate by 90 degrees)

This can be made from 2 U shaped parts and 2 flat sheets glued together. Easier to manufacture and stronger than an I beam of the same weight.

> I saw tutorials on the internet where the guy puts his composites in the oven and some where he does not and I
> haven't yet figured out what the true difference is ?

Whether heat is necessary depends on 1. the resin used and 2. the required strength.
ALL resins benefit from elevated temperature curing, and some absolutely require it.
As a rule of thumb: resins with longer pot life benefit more from the heating than those with shorter pot life.
 
You don't need an industrial oven to do this, often you can get away with using a styrofoam box and a few lightbulbs, or a cardboard box and an electrical heater with fan.

>
Can I avoid the infusion part (although I find it very cool) ?

Sure, hand layup still works fine. Vacuum bagging too.

My final advice, same I always give: start building the prototype with cheap glass.


GO

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