This is how I did it - after being quite frustrated at getting the
pieces to fit in the box. The idea is to have a "basket" of fiberglass
to spread the load - in particular the most load is in the rear corner
toward the center (looking downward at 4 o'clock, with 12 o'clock
pointing forward) since when landing the gear is pushed in this
direction (unless of course you land backwards.) So what I did was:
1. put in the uni - from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock - around the back
corners - it fits fine with no bubbles
2. put in two corners of bid from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock in rear center
corner
3. run an 8 inch layer of bid on the bottom of the box cross-wise from 9
o'clock to 3 o'clock up the sides of the center tunnel and the sides of
the canoe (about 8 inches high).
4. Run an 8" wide piece of bid fore and aft centered over the gear leg
hole and up the sides about 8 inches
5. Run another 8" piece on the inside (3 o'clock) fore and aft and up
the sides - overlapping #4 a bit
6. Do #3 again.
7. Do #4 again.
8. Do #5 again.
9. Do #2. again.
10. Put in three layers of bid behind the box from the top and onto the
floor of the canoe.
This means the corner which takes the most stress will have four layers
of bid and two layers of uni inside the box, and three layers on the
back of the box. These layers will be tied to four layers, two running
fore and aft and 2 running crosswise -
I don't think this will break - the layers are interwoven, and the
reinforced and overlapping corners spread the load over the entire
corner and tie it to the rest of the box.
In addition I never make bad landings ( :-) ) but if someone does I
still don't think it will break. I may pay a slight weight penalty for
this - but at best it is a few ounces versus the manual approach -
Gary Leinberger
A237
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Rob Housman
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 12:52 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Re: Reenforcement of baggage bays
D's approach HAS TO BE BETTER than doing it by the book.
Sorry to tell you this Rick, but if you think the layup you just did was
"difficult" you have no idea what lies ahead. Were Mother Theresa to
attempt these layups, even she would probably be tempted to utter a few
words she had never spoken before.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
Irvine, CA
Europa XS Tri-Gear
A070
Airframe complete
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of D Wysong
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2008 1:11 PM
Subject: Europa-List: Re: Reenforcement of baggage bays
> I just did one ply and it was the most difficult lay up so far.
> There
are no
> measuremnts given and the cloth folds onto its self while I tried to
> do
the lay
> up.
>
> It seems the there should be a better way of doing this lay-up. Has
somebody
> come up with a good method? I looked at all the pictures, but they
only
show
> the finished product.
Hello Rick,
A trick I use on hard-to-reach spots (LongEZ /canard builder) is to make
"poor man's prepreg" with the BID. It might work well for you.
First, make a pattern for the layup using a piece of drop cloth plastic.
I use 2 mil plastic for my patterns but have seen folks use
4 mil. You can cram the plastic sheet into nooks/crannies and then mark
any creases with a Sharpie. Trim the excess with a pair of scissors and
you end up with a "paperdoll" pattern for your BID cloth.
Next, rough cut the BID cloth about 2" oversize relative to your
"paperdoll" pattern. Also, cut two more pieces of drop cloth plastic a
tad bit bigger than the BID.
Write "OUT" with your Sharpie marker one one of the big plastic sheets
and trace the "paperdoll" onto it. Place this piece face-down (i.e. -
with the "OUT" facing out) and lay your first BID ply on top at a 45
relative to the pattern. Wet out the first BID ply thoroughly and
follow it with the second BID ply. Once your plies are wet, put the
other sheet of plastic onto the top of the pile, making a sandwich of
wet BID between two sheets of drop cloth.
Use a squeegee (or Bondo spreader, thick postcard, tongue depressor,
rolling pin, etc.) to gently chase any air or excess epoxy to the edges.
Don't pull too much resin out but do your best to get rid of any air
bubbles. Using a hair dryer to gently warm the resin will get it to
flow better in cool weather.
Once you finish chasing air bubbles out, turn the whole sandwich over so
you can see your "OUT" plus the "paperdoll" pattern outline. Trim the
BID sandwich along the pattern lines with scissors, turn the sandwich
over again ("OUT" side down), and peel the top sheet of plastic off of
the sandwich.
Transfer the whole stack (BID, BID, "OUT" plastic) into the tunnel and
position/stipple/squeegee the layup in place. The plastic will help
keep the BID from folding back onto itself AND will keep you from
getting covered in epoxy. Once the BID is where you want it, peel the
"OUT" plastic off and stipple any stubborn spots. Add peel ply to the
edges if you want.
Good luck!
D
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