Interesting carbon-fibre thread

[CoolHands]

Hi. Here's a link to a really interesting (pic heavy) thread on home-made DIY carbon fibre. Specifically the chap shows you how to make a carbon-fibre front mudguard for a DRZ by using the original one to make a mold.

When you read it, I have to say there's no way I would have the patience for all the preparation workl!

Very interesting IMO

How to make your self a Carbon Fiber front fender - ThumperTalk

[CoolHands]

sorry I meant to put this in the 'mechaincs' forum

[demographic]

That's very interesting thanks.

There's another HERE

[Mr. Dazzle]

You wanna come to our factory, we knock out Carbon Fibre products in under an hour a pop...not including the overnight cure in the over of course, nor the machining time. Actually winding the composite only takes about half and hour though.

Have to say that guys mudguard will be pretty pants as far as CFRP goes, he'd be better off making it from Vac Formed plastic or something similar.

[protoborg]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dazzle

You wanna come to our factory, we knock out Carbon Fibre products in under an hour a pop...not including the overnight cure in the over of course, nor the machining time. Actually winding the composite only takes about half and hour though.

Have to say that guys mudguard will be pretty pants as far as CFRP goes, he'd be better off making it from Vac Formed plastic or something similar.

But its well bling innit

[CoolHands]

yeah but I like threads like that - it took him a long time, & shows us (who nothing about something like that), some idea of what's involved.

[demographic]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dazzle

You wanna come to our factory, we knock out Carbon Fibre products in under an hour a pop...not including the overnight cure in the over of course, nor the machining time. Actually winding the composite only takes about half and hour though.

Have to say that guys mudguard will be pretty pants as far as CFRP goes, he'd be better off making it from Vac Formed plastic or something similar.

That's all very well and good but for the most part none of us (that I know of) are going to have the budget to get that kind of thing knocked in your factory though.

If it holds together as a mudguard then its doing its job, might not be any lighter than the placky one it replaces though...

[Mr. Dazzle]

Originally Posted by demographic

If it holds together as a mudguard then its doing its job, might not be any lighter than the placky one it replaces though...

S'exactly my point...all that effort for something probably heavier than the original. I really hate CF mud-guards, fuel tanks etc., people are buying into a 'trick' material whilst understanding nothing about it.

[Tomcat]

There's a world of difference between engineered composites and bling. Wet layup CF is the latter, as are the anodised bolt and titanium whatnot brigade, but it's their money

[cheb]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dazzle

S'exactly my point...all that effort for something probably heavier than the original. I really hate CF mud-guards, fuel tanks etc., people are buying into a 'trick' material whilst understanding nothing about it.

How can you assume they know nothing about it?

Maybe they like the look and know they can't afford to have it done 'properly'? The same as having a normal car or bike covered in sponsor stickers and race numbers.

Says the man with a lightweight end can on BMW R100GS

[ZRX61]

Given the complete lack of impact resistance of CF, what an utter waste of time & effort..

[Alex Dangerfield]

Originally Posted by ZRX61

Given the complete lack of impact resistance of CF, what an utter waste of time & effort..

why climb the mountain?

I'm sure the fellow enjoyed making it, sometimes the journey is more rewarding than the destination.

[Baketech]

Right gritty bastards in here...

Go on then internet hardmen, you might as well have a go at this person's work too...
Soup :: Kocinski's Rotax Dirt Tracker

[Angry Painter]

Originally Posted by Baketech

Right gritty bastards in here...

Go on then internet hardmen, you might as well have a go at this person's work too...
Soup :: Kocinski's Rotax Dirt Tracker

Pukka, I spent so long looking at that, my tea went cold.

Nice one BT, good find there fella.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Originally Posted by ZRX61

Given the complete lack of impact resistance of CF, what an utter waste of time & effort..

What are you basing that on? Composites are used in many applications specifically for their impact protection. The space shuttle uses composite leading edges to protect from impact for example. Although it didn't work as planned on Columbia. S'very commmon to use composites in armour applications too...and who here has a CFRP crash helmet?

It all depends on how it's designed.