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Max Sluiter
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Anyone got spare carbon fiber laying around?
'Cause I could put it to good use.
 I am designing the suspension for the 2012-2013 Formula SAE Electric race car and am looking to do something radical. I go to California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo for those who don't know me. Senior in Mechanical Engineering, interested in vehicle dynamics, etc. Anyway, the only real drawback to my design is increased unsprung weight which can be eliminated by switching to carbon fiber. We have some AS4 0-90 cloth and some tri-weave, too. But with the test coupons I will need to make and the number of links and number of plies in each link I will need as much as I can get. I would really like some unidirectional pre-preg but dry is good too. The parts are small enough to fit in the autoclave so pre-preg is quicker but I can try to get a nice, lean VRI and use some higher temperature resin rather than RTC. Fiberglass is accepted, too. No Kevlar, please. The main thing is I can't get a 7075 aluminum plate in 3/4" thick and a big area, and I need several of those but will be machining away most of it. The composites also allow me to eliminate some bolts. Also, I have composite experience and will be a tech in the composites lab here but don't know CNC yet. I am thinking of using aluminum inserts and machining those but that is a lot easier than the many triangles and things I would have to do in the aluminum. If you guys are interested in the new design I could email you a couple solidworks snaps but you can't really understand what is going on just from that. You need to see the solid assembly moving in front of you. Until then, please make due with the current setup and which I am going to be changing. Less static camber, more camber gain, still with the mini moto tires...  (shown during testing without bodywork) If you donate anything, we will find a spot for you on the car and if you are local you can come check it out!
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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09-21-2012, 08:05 PM
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I actually do.
Not sure it's what you want and I probably don't have enough anyway.
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Make sure to check out my balls in the Pelican Parts Catalog! 917 inspired shift knobs. '84 Targa - Arena Red - AX #104 '07 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Yes, I'm that guy... '01 Toyota Corolla - Urban Camouflage - SOLD |
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09-21-2012, 08:52 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Does it have any labels on the roll?
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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09-21-2012, 08:54 PM
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It's not a roll.
I don't have much left, not even sure where it is. It's not what you are looking for. Just thought I'd chime in, since I do have some lying around.
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Make sure to check out my balls in the Pelican Parts Catalog! 917 inspired shift knobs. '84 Targa - Arena Red - AX #104 '07 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Yes, I'm that guy... '01 Toyota Corolla - Urban Camouflage - SOLD |
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09-21-2012, 08:55 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Oh, ok. Thanks anyway.
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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09-21-2012, 08:59 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 75
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Shoot me some solids and I'll analyze the material needs to see if I have what you need. Is the layup you're seeking already engineered? I could run FEA. I own a composites company: acscomposites.com
Regards, Ian |
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09-21-2012, 09:56 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Quote:
My solid parts are still in aluminum at this stage. But think a triangular prism 3/4" thick. I wanted some uni to run around the perimeter of the triangle, then I could use the 0/90 cloth that we have (or the tri-weave) as a shear web on each side. At each vertex I wanted to somehow capture an aluminum cylinder that could be machined for a bushing (much like the Rebel Racing parts). I should be able to have some strength requirements by next week.
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance Last edited by Flieger; 09-21-2012 at 10:11 PM.. |
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09-21-2012, 10:07 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: AZ
Posts: 8,414
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Why not start at the top and hit up Hexcel for a donation of some prepreg?
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09-21-2012, 10:19 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
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We have plenty at work making 787's, but I can't get any. Sorry...
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09-21-2012, 10:27 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Quote:
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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09-21-2012, 10:32 PM
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Motorsport Ninja Monkey
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Sorry can't help you with the carbon fibre but I'd be happy to check over your work from a design perspective as I have quite a bit experience with carbon fibre suspension.
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Wer rastet, der rostet He who rests, rusts |
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09-22-2012, 02:31 AM
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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,167
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Is it (weight)specific strength, or stiffness that you are after?
a couple thoughts... link stiffness can be quickly gained with geometry (rather than materials). and, anisotropic materials add a lot of design and build time. btw, I was in charge of the suspension design of a Formula SAE car in my senior year as well (early 90's) And I was big into composites even before my egr degree. --Yep, you are on a frightful path. 
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee.
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09-22-2012, 07:03 AM
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FUSHIGI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 10,804
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The start of tomorrow's F1 in Singapore should produce some...get your order in soon.
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09-22-2012, 08:22 AM
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závodník 'X'
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Have your school contact General Dynamics. In a similar program many years ago, Purdue had access to rolls of some unclassified c.f. (and probably very pricey) to play with.
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09-22-2012, 09:18 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of You
Posts: 9,160
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Quote:
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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09-22-2012, 12:30 PM
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Jim 76 911s 3.6l Track Car 05 Ferrari F-430 "If its worth doing...it's worth doing to excess" |
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09-22-2012, 06:39 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Quote:
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance Last edited by Flieger; 09-23-2012 at 01:30 PM.. |
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09-23-2012, 01:01 PM
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Max Sluiter
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Quote:
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1971 911S, 2.7RS spec MFI engine, suspension mods, lightened Suspension by Rebel Racing, Serviced by TLG Auto, Brakes by PMB Performance |
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09-23-2012, 01:01 PM
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1971 Porsche 911S
1984 Porsche Targa 3.2L
2005 Ferrari F-430
Payne-Killer
1976 Porsche 911
