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Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by winston on Tue May 22nd, 2007 at 10:49:12 AM MST
(User Info)

I think this could be a good idea if you were to cover the foam with fiberglass

this is used in experimental aircraft construction it is called 'flying the mold'

the foam is cut into an airfoil shape with a hot wire

then the foam is covered with several layers of fiber glass

this makes a very strong structure

good luck

Re: Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Derek (jumpin_12@hotmail.com) on Tue May 22nd, 2007 at 11:54:50 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.FreeEnergySolutions.net

Oh well snap, that would work. I seen on discover channel show "how its made" with hot wires cutting styrofoam, was pretty cool. So I'd end up with a very strong, and incredibly lightweight blade for my VAWT wouldnt I? Wonder why nobody has tried this before, or has nobody thought of it....

So where can I get some stryofoam either already cut, or some really big chunks?

[ Parent ]

Re: Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by Lumberjack on Tue May 22nd, 2007 at 12:54:17 PM MST
(User Info)

I have seen inch thick blue foam used on walls....

[ Parent ]

Re: Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by vawtman (vawtman(at)charter(dot)net) on Tue May 22nd, 2007 at 04:30:31 PM MST
(User Info)

Hi Derek

I think foam/epoxy glassed blades would work fine for a small vawt.You can cut your desired profile out of a 1x4 or whatever and epoxy that to each end that will be your form to follow has well has end supports for mounting.

Plan on doing this for a rooftop turbine.

I built a foamcutter basically for free from the great help here.

Material list;
scrap pvc pipe
scrap emt
element from a junk milkhouse heater(with insulators streched out to~4FT
transformer from a junk pool robot
spring from a junk dishwasher

Worked fine with practice

Heres a pic of the beast

[ Parent ]

Using styrofoam blades for a VAWT? | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 editorial)

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