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Greetings:
This is my first post on this forum. I am investigating using a layered
papier mache isogrid for the structure of an ultralight aircraft. My thought
was to reinforce the isogrid ribs with woven Spectra fishing line, AKA
Spiderwire. The line would be imbedded at the top & bottom of the ribs to
act as load bearing flanges, while the paper web or webs would function
mainly as a spacer. The entire grid would be attached to a face sheet, similar
to the arrangement used in aerospace applications. Is this in any way
practical, or should I look for the nearest psychological treatment facility?
Best Wishes
Matt
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Hope everything goes well and don't forget to have fun.
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Hi Again;
Thanks for the encouragement! I fully expected that people would
think me insane for the concept. I wonder if there is anyone out there
who is or has tried something similar.
Yesterday I was cleaning up the yard when I discovered an old bee
nest. It immediately occurred to me that here was a perfect example
of a papier mache structural form! If bees can do it, why can't we? I
know that the bees chew fibers to construct the honeycomb cells, but
it takes weeks. Is there a way to accomplish this with the same structural
strength and lightness?
Best Wishes:
Matt
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About thirty years ago, fabric-covered small airplanes were common, covered with paint. The fabric was stronger than paper, and probably thinner (overall) than paper would have had to be to work.
Are you familiar with the facts of aerodynamics? You could probably make a model plane with pm, but I don't think a pm airplane that would carry one or two people would be strong enough. If one section flexed enough to put a tear in the paper, the wind would catch it and rip it apart. If you didn't have enough wing surface (on both wings, not just one) to keep the plane going fast enough to create enough lift to keep it going down in a reasonable glide path (angle), it would probably drop like a rock wrapped with a paper bag.
Model, yes. Actual plane, no.
Sue
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I agree with Catperson. Purrrrrr.
It is possible to develop a very strong structure, with cardboard tubes in traingular section, laminated around and joined. However, sheet work in paper laminate needs special presses and heat to be able to form a sheet that is strong, stable and truly flat. Even then, it would be quite heavy.
So . . . some part of internal structure might well be a cardboard/paper laminate honeycomb.
Fly safe
DavidO
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Hi!
Thanks for all the feedback. I assure you that I also do not
wish to plummet earthward in the world's largest lunchbag. I
was merely trying to think "out of the box" and see how far PM
technology could be taken. If modern materials such as Kevlar
Spectra, Tyvek etc. could be combined with the ease of PM, a
new use for PM could be found.
Best Wishes;
Matt
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