Panel Stiffness
Composites structures have requirements for stiffness to provide support and stability. Tests can be completed to identify the stiffness of a given area on a composites structure, i.e. how much it will bend for a given force.
The required stiffness of a section of a composites part depends upon the overall design and service expectations. Several factors, including the life expectancy of the object, the load rating of the composites surface, the inter-laminar bond strength, will help determine the threshold requirements. Testing is very important to determine the life expectancy of the part and whether it meets the requirements of its’ job.
Panel stiffness can be modified to meet these requirements using two basic methods. One way to increase the stiffness of an unsupported composites panel is to reduce the size of the panel through additional support structures. The other way is to increase the panel thickness across the same area. Choosing which method to use depends upon the engineering of the part and determining which method is acceptable with the surrounding part layout. If there is room to add supports, this is likely a quick and easy option. If there is room to increase the thickness, adding new or additional coring materials may be a simple solution.
Building a strong and stiff composites structure can be accomplished with the extremes of building a robust “skeleton” with small open areas and a thin skin, or having a basic, limited “skeleton” with a heavy duty cored laminate that supports itself.
A combination of the two usually works out best.
Composite RFQ
An interesting website that I recently discovered is called CompositeRFQ.com, which is a website dedicated specifically to the composites industry, and filling Requests for Quotes. This website works to match composites fabrication shops with those businesses and individuals needing composites fabrication work completed.
A project is posted by the person with work needing to be performed. The proper industry is selected, choosing from aerospace, architecture, automotive, boating, military, and sporting goods. Additional information documents can be attached for further scope identification. Bidding details can then be specified by the person posting the project.
Composites fabricators with related expertise and experience can bid on these projects in an effort to identify work opportunities for their business. If a bid is accepted, the details are worked out directly between the bidder and the buyer, eliminating any third party costs and delays. Bidders and Buyers can go back and leave feedback after the job is complete.
Composite RFQ has some free accounts to go in and look around. There is a very interesting page about using Composite RFQ that very easily explains how it work s graphically.
This site is a great tool to bring the composites world together between buyers and sellers. The old word of mouth method of finding fabricators and customers is great, but does not always lead down the best path. Small fabrication shops have difficulty advertising their services to the appropriate customers that might be looking for the type of work that they do, and now they can go and bid directly on the types of projects they can handle.
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