Landracing Forum
Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: Sumner on March 02, 2005, 07:09:00 PM
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I'd be interested to know how some of you made/molded the lexan for the canopy of your lakester or streamliner.
I'm interesed in knowing how to overcome the problems of bending it into a compound curve.
Thanks for the help,
Sumner
Lakester Construction In
Progress (http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bvillecarindexpage.html)
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There are several motorcycle fairing and sidecar guys out there making lexan windshields. Guffstason in Florida is a possibility. I may not have spelled that right. Also check Airplane parts guys, several homebuilts have nice canopies. Use, modify or develop your canopy around what you can get. It could be easier in the long run.
Just some ideas
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Sumner, call Russ Meeks @ Finish Line Coatings in Milwaukie, Or. He built a simple vacuum form box and used a vacuum pump and heat lamps. It turned out great and can be seen on his roadster. Tell him "One Run Bob" sent you...............
(503) 659-4278
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Sum,
try this site for forming Lexan
http://Qsip.co.uk/PDF/LEXAN/Process.PDF#search=LEXAN%20Forming'.If (http://Qsip.co.uk/PDF/LEXAN/Process.PDF#search=LEXAN%20Forming'.If) that doesn't work type in Lexan forming.I started on a g/gl last fall.Hope to have it running for 2006.Good luck!
hitz
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Sum, I'll try that again.
http://qsip.co.uk/PDF/LEXAN/Process.PDF#search=LEXAN%20forming' (http://qsip.co.uk/PDF/LEXAN/Process.PDF#search=LEXAN%20forming')
hitz
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Hello all,
Found this website will searching - http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/bubbles/hpvbubbles.htm (http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/bubbles/hpvbubbles.htm)
On another note - Hitz,
I grew up in Anderson and Cottonwood.
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Here's a good overview: right click save as pdf (http://www.sportaviation.org/magazine/2004_summer/canopy.pdf)
I was thinking stretch forming would be the way to go but these guys seem to advocate slip forming instead, because of less optical imperfections. It does need a more complex system, using a vacuum pump, as opposed to stretch forming which needs only a simple frame and a male mold.
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The advantage to the vacuum box like Russ built is you don't need a mold to start with, only a cutout the size of the base. You can then trim it into whatever size you want.
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Thanks guys for all of that info. Some good procedures there to think about.
The advantage to the vacuum box like Russ built is you don't need a mold to start with, only a cutout the size of the base. You can then trim it into whatever size you want.
Bob, I don't know if you looked at the bubble one from above, but I'm wondering if Russ's works something like that. Is he holding a lexan sheet clamped between two pieces of plywood cut to the shape of the opening with an enclosed box below them attached to a vacuum pump. Then with the vacuum pulling down on the lexan and heating it where he wants it to deform with the hair dryers and letting the vacuum pull it into shape?
I'll have to try and get a hold of him. We were pitted next to him last year. What a beautiful car. Mine will never be that nice. On a side note 2 years ago they had to call the ambulance for him and last year for me. Maybe we shouldn't pit next to one another :) and/or no one should pit beside us :confused: .
One more thing. The rule book says to use Lexan, but I can't see where it says anything about thickness. Does anyone know if there is a required thickness?
c ya, Sum
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Sum, thats exactly how he did it and I am sure he can tell you the best thickness to work with. I think he said it took him two tries to get it right.
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Outstanding web site and outstanding article. Good to have for my lakester project.
Rex
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there's a place close to me that makes nice bubble cockpit covers for aircraft. They made one for me for a hydroplane reasonably. (about $300 as i recall) Their mold is adjustable so they can make it longer, wider etc. i think it's Fox Industries but I will check. in Ohio.
bob larimore