High tech volunteer work

[Ken O]

So for the last 5-6 years I have been helping a guy in Hayden Idaho build a replica of an old Unlimited Hydroplane race boat. But instead of being made of wood this one is made from carbon fiber fiberglass and other composites. After we successfully made a 1 piece bottom (12ft x 30ft) some of the modern unlimited teams realized that this might be a good way to make modern race boats too. So 2 of the teams loaned us 2 boats to make molds from. We got that done over the summer and are now working on the new safety capsule.

A few years back a couple boats had an incident (both drivers were ok) and the capsule roll cage was bent on one of the boats The team went to cut out the old roll cage and rusty water started poring out of the steel tubing! Well that's not good! So we took it upon ourselves to try something new. We are going to make the capsule skin with 4 layers of carbon fiber/ 1/2 in foam/ 2 layers of balistic kevlar/ 1/2 in foam/ 4 more layers of carbon fiber and 2 more layers of kevlar. Then in specific places it wil have an integrated roll bar of 2 in foam and 4-6 layers of carbon fiber.

 

We made some samples and had them tested yesterday. The capsule skin samples of 3 in wide x 20 in long sustained 1300lbs of pressure before failing. The skin and roll cage 3 in wide x 20 in long sustained 3907 lbs before failing. Tomorrow evening I have an appointment with the local indoor pistol range to set up some "Penetration tests". Hehe...

 

That's why I haven't been on here much lately! Having too much fun!

here is a link to the web site.

http://cameronaircraft.com/

 

 

 

[amazingkevin]

You find the ultimate projects to be saturated in.All quality time of state of the art projects.Did they move this project out of the school where it all started,i remember you weren't finished and somebody wanted the room back.I can't wait to see the link.Your making history as it happens ! Keep going!!! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

[Birchbark]

That does sound like some fun.  Very interesting project.  Will be fun to see how the penetration test goes.

 

Russell

[LarryEA]

Just another reason I enjoy perusing this place. Strolling the Village and seeing/hearing what people are doing.

Ken, this is very interesting. Please keep us up-to-date.

[Ken O]

Well, we found that our safety capsule skin has the ability to stop a .22 bullet at about 20 ft. That in itself is no easy feat. Anything larger than a .22 goes through, which is not a problem unless we were racing in Iraq.

[amazingkevin]

Now that's funny!