X PRIZE Foundation
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Molds, epoxy, and etc.

All molds were received – now it is possible to make different thickness’s springs: 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mm. Also was proved – amount of carbon fiber / threads inside the mold 1.5mm – 4 layers of carbon fiber , 3 layers and just threads (no fabric) gives a different linear elasticity (easy to measure – on a electronic scale – amount of a weight require to connect sides of a spiral). Also was discovered a mistake (may be not) – if to place the assembled mold into a vacuum chamber, then excessive air pockets inside mold squeeze out epoxy from the mold. From one point it is not looking good – a cross section of a spring is not regular – but spring become lighter 25%, epoxy stays just on carbon fiber, and coefficient elasticity is bigger. For future use – placing in a vacuum chamber has to be done before closing the mold (for nice looking springs), or in assembly (for saving weight and increase elasticity). Also was found a way to speed up process (up to 5 times) and make spring more controllable. The carbon fiber has to be in a braid (or a plait) – different technique can be used to control amount of fiber and physical dimensions (5 x 1.5 x 500 mm). Also was proved an easy way to control temperature for epoxy’s curing – the induction stove from Wal-Mart + connecting sequentially to a thermo element variable (10-100kOm) resistor and the temperature inside the chamber wrapped by aluminum foil will stays with 1 centigrade range.

See more on http://www.adobri.com/ProjectVe.aspx




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