Anybody using sheet metal skin over solid foam core instead of ribs? I know the Cri Cri uses sheet metal bonded to ~1/2" Klegicell ribs, but how about over hotwired or block sanded solid foam core of, say, 2 lb./cubic foot density?
This way, you'd get the smoothness and known strength of alu. skin, and the ease of hotwired or block sanded core material, with the stresses distributed evenly over the whole core, rather than concentrated in rivet holes on narrow ribs. This would allow use of thinner alu. skin, given no stress concentrations at rivets & ribs.
This way, you'd get the smoothness and known strength of alu. skin, and the ease of hotwired or block sanded core material, with the stresses distributed evenly over the whole core, rather than concentrated in rivet holes on narrow ribs. This would allow use of thinner alu. skin, given no stress concentrations at rivets & ribs.