- Joined
- Jan 12, 2017
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- 570
On another thread I mentioned that Aircraft Plywood Mfg in Highland, IL produces thin, three layer MIL-P-6070 ply that is uses melamine for glue and is therefore suited to laser cutting. I've also griped that the spruce called for in the Fly Baby plans to laminate the landing gear struts now costs $764 before shipping. The ply seems reasonably priced (by comparison). Haven't yet priced laser cutting. But it looks like I could fit 8 layers (enough for one strut) on an 8'x4' sheet, as shown (roughly) here. I wouldn't attempt to do this with a jigsaw, but if laser cutting isn't outrageously expensive, it might be attractive.
The pattern here assumes 45 deg ply (all layers at 45 deg, with the middle layer 90 deg to the other two). Positioned this way, 4 of the long legs and 4 of the short legs would each have outer layers straight down the strut (MOL, the angle on my gear - which is longer than stock to accommodate my Rotec - has an included angle of 43.8 deg), and the inner ply layer at 90 deg. At the same time, the other leg in each case has both outer and inner ply layers at 45 deg. I'd alternate the pattern for each of the 8 layers.
Seems like an 8 layer laminate layed up this way would be pretty **** strong. That's my intuition, not my studied analysis.
The pattern here assumes 45 deg ply (all layers at 45 deg, with the middle layer 90 deg to the other two). Positioned this way, 4 of the long legs and 4 of the short legs would each have outer layers straight down the strut (MOL, the angle on my gear - which is longer than stock to accommodate my Rotec - has an included angle of 43.8 deg), and the inner ply layer at 90 deg. At the same time, the other leg in each case has both outer and inner ply layers at 45 deg. I'd alternate the pattern for each of the 8 layers.
Seems like an 8 layer laminate layed up this way would be pretty **** strong. That's my intuition, not my studied analysis.
