FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1443.PDF
PROCESSES IN THE BUILDING OF THE R.A.E. PLASTIC WING (6) The loading fixture is then wheeled under the mould and raised so that the Durestos sheets, heating blanket and rubber sack are inserted into the mould cavity. (7) The edges of the rubber sack are sealed to the concrete mould and the air between the mould lining and the sack is evacuated. Atmospheric pressure thence forces the Durestos sheets against the mould and heat from the elements in the mould and the electric blanket cures the plastic. The vacuum pump also removes the water excreted by the setting Durestos. (8) Expandable wooden jigs, to which metal bellows and airlines are fitted, are inserted into the wing so that, when expanded, they are pressed firmly against the inner surface. (9) The wing, complete with interior fittings, and with the jigs in position, ready for the final insertion into the mould. (10) Both inner and outer shells of the wing, fitted with the interior structure, go back into the mould for the final "cooking" which will make the wing an integral structure. (1) Construction of the mould begins with the building of a "master" to the exact size and shape of the wing. This master is built up of plaster on an open steel framework. (2) The master is then coated with sheets of Durestos which, after heat treatment, hardens and, on removal from the master, forms the outer mould for the wing. It is then separated into a detachable inner lining and main body in which heating elements and thermocouples are fitted. Conduit pipes serving these can be seen in the picture, and the mould is completed by building a concrete block around the Durestos lining. (3) The next stage is the cutting to shape of the asbestos-felt Durestos sheets before moulding. The man on the left is using a radio-frequency spot-welding gun to "tack" sheets together. Layers of glasscloth and Cellophane are placed between the sheets of Durestos before moulding so that, after curing, the wing can be separated into an inner and outer shell. (4) The cut sheets are then lifted on to a loading fixture—a steel frame work which fits roughly into the moulding. (5) Also placed on the loading fixture are a blanket incorporating electric elements, and a rubber sack. I HBP # UNI * ,. labaiiMNfi $pw ••' rxnam*** !8~§H W Wttlsr5''» .- .J, .- , ,8K,- Mggpr ... jjSp*:f,:r'- ' •• ' '- V . ..:.:., • • • ^ iff JH fl ftMB83flBW,!r- Hpp m W % 1 '; j§ ' I
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
