Synopsis
This book discusses various topics of composites including specific techniques and processes for the use of several approaches to composite construction. Several case studies illustrating practical application of specific processes and techniques are also provided.Chapter 2; State of the Art of Composites, describes many of the common materials and tools used during the construction of composite parts and tools. Chapter 3; Project Planning, is provided to help prepare the reader for setting up their project for success by planning for all the needed tool, materials, and support requirements. Chapter 4; Procuring Materials, provides a table of materials and tools, including some common sources and prices for the items listed. Some safety precautions and warnings for working with composites are provided in Chapter 5. The foundation for general composite techniques, terminology, and processes are discussed in Chapter 6. Beginning in Chapter 7, a step-by-step case study walks the reader through one way of building a 1/5th scale composite wing. The process selected for this example is a molded composite wing using a plug to mold process before creating the desired wing panels. The process for building a moldless design is nearly the same as the plug portion of these instructions with the exception of the level of detail to the plug. For a moldless wing project, much more attention to weight and initial dimensional correctness of the core is required.
About the Author
Thomas Miller has worked in the aerospace industry for 23 years. He has completed a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Associates of Science, and an Associates of Science in Applied Technology. Thomas passed the EIT exam in preparations for passing the PE exam. He holds a commercial pilot rating. Thomas began working his engineering career in the Great Lakes region while working towards his degrees. He worked at a number of small companies specializing in automation and machine design. He worked for a number of engineering consulting, automation, and high technology companies. In 1998 he started an engineering consulting company, Aero Tech Aviation Design (ATAD), his second company in Michigan. In 2002 he moved to Wichita Kansas to work for Raytheon Aircraft (Beechcraft). In 2006 he left Raytheon for Cessna Aircraft Company and became an engineering manager. During his career he has worked on more than 20 different aircraft models ranging from small experimental kit planes to 20 million dollar corporate business jets. He has worked engineering and support on both civilian and military aircraft for both fixed wing and rotorcraft. He maintained an Authorized Representative (AR) delegation from the FAA (equivalent to a DER) while at Raytheon and later at Cessna. His passion for aircraft has driven him to remain active in the EAA, AOPA, AIAA, SAE and experimental aircraft design work. His experiments with aircraft designs have lead him to sponsor research at the University of Michigan's Aerospace Department for wind tunnel and other testing of designs. He has built scale models and conducted testing in aerodynamics, structures, and systems. It is this research and investigation that lead to the authoring of Composite Construction for Beginners. Through industry experience, consulting experience, extensive study, research, and experimentation Thomas Miller has generated and accumulated a wealth of resource materials and knowledge on aerospace engineering disciplines including composites and applications of composite materials. Many of the materials and techniques are not unique to the aerospace industry and can be applied to other industries and projects.
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