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blue foam method of wing construction
Topic Started: Friday Aug 12 2011, 07:32 PM (1,153 Views)
skling
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Came across this method of wing construction using blue foam.
According to the author, this foam is used in the construction industry
as an insulator (heat, l guess). The method also uses balsa and ply, so
it is more like a hybrid method. l believe the normal white foam should
work just as well. Here it is:


Attached to this post:
Attachments: BLUE_FOAM_CONSTRUCTION_FOR_CONTROL_LINE.pdf (3.79 MB)
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Iskandar Taib
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The blue foam (and pink and green) is very easy to find in the US, but impossible to find here. It's denser than the usual white foam, so wings turn out heavier, though there is a variety of the pink stuff that is just a little bit denser than the white foam. It's extruded, so no beads. Very, very, very tough, makes nice (but slightly heavier) F2D leading edges without paper covering. You can hot-wire it like the white foam.

Near where I live is a foam factory, you can also get denser than normal white foam that makes very tough leading edges as well.

Iskandar
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Iskandar Taib
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Hmmm... interesting. Almost like building a classic I-beam wing out of foam. What you end up with in the end, though, is a D-tube wing with blue foam ribs. Looks like you need to build a lot of fixtures, though - OK if you want to mass produce the wings, but not if you're just building one or two.

My early attempts at using carbon fiber tow and epoxy didn't work because I didn't apply pressure, like they do.

Some day I should go buy a little table saw like theirs.

Iskandar
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skling
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thanks for the input lskandar, this method of construction looks rather involved and definitely not for the impatient builder!

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anghweebeng
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Hi Ling,
That is a good method. It may be quite involved, but for F2B models, no problem. If for F2D, it's a lot of work, so is for stunt trainers.
Isky, we can get blue and pink foam here in Singapore.
When hot wire-ing foam, make sure the area is well ventilated. The fumes are quite toxic.

Have fun.

H B Ang.
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Iskandar Taib
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Is it expensive, and can you get the 1/4" thick "fanfold" foam? The latter can be used to make electric foamies and other things, including ribs.

Iskandar
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anghweebeng
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Hi Isky,
Sorry, don't know the price. By the way, what is 'fanfold' foam? I know there are these fine bead polystyrene foam in metric, which should be 6mm. When you are in Singapore, I'll bring there.

H B Ang.
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Iskandar Taib
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Fanfold is blue foam, 1/4" thick (about 6mm). It comes in big sheets that are folded like an accordion (which is why it's called "fanfold").

Iskandar
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anghweebeng
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Hi Isky,
I have not seen this type of foam. Must be soft and flexible type.

H B Ang.
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