Yea but I saw this here https://www.acpsales.com/1-mm-High-Gloss-Twill-Carbon-Fiber-Sheet.html. Im not to sure if they do it for non-vendors though.I thought they were just a materials supplier.
I doubt if they will do cutting; not really their business. I thought you were asking for a special layup--either a sheet or a tube.Im having a forum member make me the fins but I want to know if they do custom work just in case if i need an extra pair. I already sent them an email but they havent replied yet (it's been several days).
No, their sheets are avalible on their website (https://www.acpsales.com/OnlineStore.php?cat=5377). In the discription they offer "CNC Machining, Cutting, Countersinking, Bonding, Silk-Screening, Painting, and Clear Coating" so i would assume that would include cutting fins..I doubt if they will do cutting; not really their business. I thought you were asking for a special layup--either a sheet or a tube.
Oh, well maybe. I have bought their standard carbon plate two or three times, but I think they can do specials such as high-temp, combo Kevlar layering, etc.No, their sheets are avalible on their website (https://www.acpsales.com/OnlineStore.php?cat=5377). In the discription they offer "CNC Machining, Cutting, Countersinking, Bonding, Silk-Screening, Painting, and Clear Coating" so i would assume that would include cutting fins..
Oh. Could they also do boatails?Oh, well maybe. I have bought their standard carbon plate two or three times, but I think they can do specials such as high-temp, combo Kevlar layering, etc.
I think you'd be better off buying from Wildman. It would cost a bundle for ACP to design and produce a mandrel. So unless they were doing a large volume they couldn't amortize the up front costs. Mr. Lehr does that for you through his volume.Oh. Could they also do boatails?
Ok thanks.I think you'd be better off buying from Wildman. It would cost a bundle for ACP to design and produce a mandrel. So unless they were doing a large volume they couldn't amortize the up front costs. Mr. Lehr does that for you through his volume.
What about making a 3D printed mold? That would be alot cheaper.A one-off custom boattail might be pretty expensive. A few years ago I made a run of 1.5"-24mm fiberglass boattails. The making of a plug, then mold, then getting the layup right is very time consuming. You'd be looking at a $250 boattail regardless of size due to labor alone.
Perhaps. Not sure about successfully polishing a 3D printed part to a mirror finish, though. Otherwise the part won't release. I'm sure it's been done, though.What about making a 3D printed mold? That would be alot cheaper.
The boatail is going to be pretty close to the nozzle and so I want it made out of a lightweight, strong material. CF is too expensive but Fiberglass is fine.That takes care of the plug & mold, maybe. But there's a lot of labor there in finishing the mold, creating the part, and finishing the part.
Of course you can jump straight to a 3d printed boattail or NC, or turn one out of basswood, or whatever.
Wherever you do it yourself, plan for extra materials dollars. Wherever you have it done, plan for extra labor dollars.
Exactly. But it still needs to be polished or the part won't release from the mold. What diameter airframe is the boat tail for?It would basically be like making a NC and then cutting a little bit off, right?
A fiberglass BT-50 (24.8 mm).Exactly. But it still needs to be polished or the part won't release from the mold. What diameter airframe is the boat tail for?
I'm confused then. Isn't this for a 24mm motor? What diameter would the boattail reduce to?A fiberglass BT-50 (24.8 mm).
Topload a disposable 24mm APCP that has the nozzle protruding aft? I have that in mind for my 18mm D's.I'm confused then. Isn't this for a 24mm motor? What diameter would the boattail reduce to?
The boatail's aft diameter is around 19 mm, length is 17mm, and fwd diameter is 24.8 mm. It is connected to a 24.8 mm diameter body tube.I'm confused then. Isn't this for a 24mm motor? What diameter would the boattail reduce to?
Sounds like it would extend past the nozzle quite a bit, reducing your thrust a bunch. Not to mention the thrust ring from the aft closure that would prevent you from attaching ithe boattail to the airframe. The diameter of that thrust ring is ~28mm.The boatail's aft diameter is around 19 mm, length is 17mm, and fwd diameter is 24.8 mm. It is connected to a 24.8 mm diameter body tube.
I am confused. Why would it reduce the thrust? It's not like the boatail is going to be in contact with the flame.Sounds like it would extend past the nozzle quite a bit, reducing your thrust a bunch. Not to mention the thrust ring from the aft closure that would prevent you from attaching ithe boattail to the airframe. The diameter of that thrust ring is ~28mm.
Carolina Composites makes a tapered aft closure for the CTI 24mm hardware that might be exactly what you're looking for. Not sure if that part would be legal for a CAR record attempt, though.
What about making the boatail and then dissolving the mold?Exactly. But it still needs to be polished or the part won't release from the mold. What diameter airframe is the boat tail for?
If the nozzle is up inside the boattail it will reduce thrust because of something called Krushnic Effect. Even if it's not in contact with the flame.I am confused. Why would it reduce the thrust? It's not like the boatail is going to be in contact with the flame.
I am using a custom closure that is attached with the boatail and so the nozzle will not exactly be flush with the top of the boatail. Rather, it will be a couple mm ahead so that the flame will not come near to the boatail. And I think the closure itself will be legal, since I am not exactly modifying it in any way.
Many people make male molds from styrofoam and dissolve it with gasoline.What about making the boatail and then dissolving the mold?