Do any self-builders or small factories wonder about making their own canopies. Most ideas I got from aircraft people, but the technical solutions are the same. I'm focused on drape forming, because it's commonly the easiest way to get an accurate result. But the technical manual covers other methods.
I'll add some useful references here...
Plexiglass Forming Manual
Canopy Production (Piper Sport Cruiser)
We have a small composites Co in NZ that can drape form canopies, It used to be about NZD500/pull (300Euro) if you supplied the form. But for a new customer (form) they couldn't guarantee 100% success. Anyway, my price may be out of date, but this gives some idea. One can buy a 2.4x1.2m sheet of 2.5mm acrylic here for NZD103
For a self builder to do the preparation on their own is a bit of a chore, but a small group might make it easier. The draping needs several hands.
In the manual they describe forms made of plaster. The mold in the aircraft factory is, not surprisingly, composite.
You need to build a warming oven. The sheet is normally hung vertically in there. you can do it with the sheet laid flat, but the warming time will be longer. With a 3mm sheet the manual says the working time is about 30 seconds to complete the drape at 20deg room temperature, after oven exit. The aircraft factory quotes a shorter time.
Maybe with unfamiliarity with the manual draping part, a flat oven will save time. Otherwise some seconds will be lost shifting and re-orienting the sheet.
Lots of information on the ovens in the manual, adaptable to DIY. And info on the critical temperatures, warming times, working times, all related to the material thickness. At least this is a very good starting point. I think there is info on polycarbonate also.
I've never seen so much useful, easy to read info in one document.
I'm starting to believe in Santa Clause again.
Gregg,,,.
I'll add some useful references here...
Plexiglass Forming Manual
Canopy Production (Piper Sport Cruiser)
We have a small composites Co in NZ that can drape form canopies, It used to be about NZD500/pull (300Euro) if you supplied the form. But for a new customer (form) they couldn't guarantee 100% success. Anyway, my price may be out of date, but this gives some idea. One can buy a 2.4x1.2m sheet of 2.5mm acrylic here for NZD103
For a self builder to do the preparation on their own is a bit of a chore, but a small group might make it easier. The draping needs several hands.
In the manual they describe forms made of plaster. The mold in the aircraft factory is, not surprisingly, composite.
You need to build a warming oven. The sheet is normally hung vertically in there. you can do it with the sheet laid flat, but the warming time will be longer. With a 3mm sheet the manual says the working time is about 30 seconds to complete the drape at 20deg room temperature, after oven exit. The aircraft factory quotes a shorter time.
Maybe with unfamiliarity with the manual draping part, a flat oven will save time. Otherwise some seconds will be lost shifting and re-orienting the sheet.
Lots of information on the ovens in the manual, adaptable to DIY. And info on the critical temperatures, warming times, working times, all related to the material thickness. At least this is a very good starting point. I think there is info on polycarbonate also.
I've never seen so much useful, easy to read info in one document.
I'm starting to believe in Santa Clause again.
Gregg,,,.