Building Materials, Structures & Processes.

Thanks so much am i not so lucky to have found you guys today? so much to read in this little time and i have been thinking how bored this topic was not knowing its this fascinating. Am in my final year (Mechanical engineering) as you have asked, i will always reference this site in my final report which am suppose to summit by febuary. I must say a big thank you to Eric for your time after digesting all this i will be able to come up with questions but am really impress and greatful i cant just express how happy i am to meet you guys.

Oh you've done the right thing Fidelis, ... If you don't know the answer to a question then the next best thing is to ask the people who do .

We'll guide you through all the construction techniques & show you what this hobby entails ..... Just a suggestion, why not have a quick look at our Gallery?
We are a relatively new forum but we have pictures of the British Model Flying Association Nationals & it'll show you some of the engineering quality ... the link is at the top of the page.

This hobby teaches engineering skills at all levels .... it should be made compulsory in schools!
You won't find a modeller that can't do basic math's & sciences.

I've just been on the phone to my son (The website builder) Mikey admin, & he's asked me to find out how you came across us ? .... he'd like to know what search terms you used if you used Google for example,..... This all helps with our research as to how the place is doing on search engines.

Pol.

Fidelis, can you please post the exact project question again please?
You did it in "Live Chat" but it's scrolled off my screen now.

I know from experience that you must only answer the question asked .... additional information will not gain you any points.

I did a lot of work with The Open University & Mikey Admin is working with them now..... They are bloody sticklers for accuracy & rated very highly in the academic world.

I used to get annoyed if I scored anything less than 95% ... even then I'd kick myself over the few questions I'd got wrong or omitted. .... Now that you've found us, expect this to be your best result ever.

And I thank you again for giving us a great thread & kicking us to life!

Pol..... ps. My name is Phil Wood ... hence my nickname "Polyphilla"

Eric wrote: What do you learn when you build a model aircraft -

Politeness ? ..... DEADSTICK! .... Bit of a joke Fidelis but thats what we shout out if a person suddenly has an engine cut out & they have to glide in quickly ... everyone else will clear the landing strip knowing that this flyer has no other choice but to land.

sewing
printing

swearing

Let's give Fidelis a clue as to what he's let himself in for.....

You are now going to explore the world of polymers.
One particular type of model flying that I enjoy is combat slope soaring.
This entails flying a very robust model & having a mid air collision so that you knock your opponent out of the sky.
Most of these models are made from EPP Expanded Polypropylene

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene

This is used in a number of applications that require shock absorption.

This is just the start...

Keep this very good thread going Lads

i will get lost very quickly.

Actually Tony you would be a very good asset in assisting Felicity

johnboy wrote: Keep this very good thread going Lads

I second that JB ... poor Fidelis doesn't know what he's let himself in for ..

When you've finished exploring the world of expanded foam polymers Fidelis, we'll introduce you to the composites we use ... eg Polyester, Polyurethane & epoxy ..... all mixed with other materials.
Ahh... but you need to know about construction techniques as well ... does that include cutting & moulding foam?

Pol........ what a brilliant bloody thread .... I feel like swearing in it.

let's get Fidelis on the starting grid here.

Probably the most common used material for modellers is balsa wood.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ochroma_pyramidale
Its strength to weight ratio is very high.

At year 3 in engineering he'll be expected to be able to give figures like density....

Pol.

We nowadays use super glue.Its ideal because instead of the parts joining together they adhere perfectly to your fingers so you spend the rest of the day chewing bits of balsa ,glue ans skin off your fingers whilst hallucinating on the fumes-no felice No sniffing,youll have the bottle stuck to your nose

with balsa constructions its triangulation that builds in the strength. i think