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Author Topic: A Question of Size  (Read 1822 times)

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farmerfrank

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A Question of Size
« on: May 16, 2005, 02:29:00 AM »
This question is probably answered best by Dan B. but all input is good input.

Just as wood has it limitations on dwelling size, it would also be of limited use on large mills. What would you think is the largest diameter machine that can be made from wood (laminated)


Thanks

« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 02:29:00 AM by (unknown) »
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rotornuts

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2005, 08:54:10 PM »
The boys at Dalhousie University in Halifax seem to think really big!!


http://www.me.dal.ca/~dp_04_8/


Anyone can do it like they did (minus the large CNC machine)just get some LVL beam stock and rip it to width and laminate to the desired size then carve away.


4.8 meters! Not bad.

« Last Edit: May 15, 2005, 08:54:10 PM by rotornuts »
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pyrocasto

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2005, 09:08:34 PM »
I would say big enough to where it would be cheaper to do fiberglass blades than wood.

 Wood is very strong and is made to withstand winds. I would say even 50 footers would be do-able, but I dont know for sure.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2005, 09:08:34 PM by pyrocasto »
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wdyasq

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a fine material
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2005, 09:23:50 PM »
The success of the wood/epoxy blades led to multi-million dollar contracts with General Electric, Westinghouse, and Bendix. 4,300 blades, from 10 to 70 feet long, were produced between 1979 and 1993.


from this page: http://tinyurl.com/8rzmt


A google search will answer a lot more questions you may have. In larger sizes and especially prototypes, wood has a lot of advantages.  All other known materials have a finate fatigue life.  The fatigue life of wood exceeds them.


My CNC machine limits me to 18' X 4' X 8" blades.


Ron

« Last Edit: May 15, 2005, 09:23:50 PM by wdyasq »
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"I like the Honey, but kill the bees"

DanG

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2005, 10:48:39 PM »
360+ feet diameter made of epoxied balsa wood and foam w/ fiberglass epoxy shell

Very low rpm blade, 7-13 rpm with 2.5m/s cut in speed



found in http://www.enercon.de/en/windblatt.htm pdf magazine 06-04


For homestead use I think DanB's 17' mill @ 3500~ watts would be trouble enough :)

« Last Edit: May 15, 2005, 10:48:39 PM by DanG »
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Ungrounded Lightning Rod

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2005, 10:41:49 AM »
I think the height of the atmosphere is the limit.  B-)


Think about the Spruce Goose for a minute.  The largest WING ever made was made of wood.

« Last Edit: May 16, 2005, 10:41:49 AM by Ungrounded Lightning Rod »
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monte350c

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2005, 04:57:29 PM »
Rotornuts - thanks for the link, that was some mighty interesting reading!


Those don't look that hard to duplicate...


Ted.

« Last Edit: May 17, 2005, 04:57:29 PM by monte350c »
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rotornuts

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2005, 05:07:21 PM »
Honestly I was quite impressed. Strangely I found that link while researching laminating techniques not blades.
« Last Edit: May 17, 2005, 05:07:21 PM by rotornuts »
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farmerfrank

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2005, 10:49:24 AM »
Yes but it made only one questionable flight!
« Last Edit: May 18, 2005, 10:49:24 AM by farmerfrank »
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elvin1949

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2005, 02:48:36 PM »
it was underpowered

elvin
« Last Edit: June 02, 2005, 02:48:36 PM by elvin1949 »
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coldspot

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Re: A Question of Size
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2006, 06:57:51 PM »
The Spruce Goose.

"underpowered"

yea, but

I thought it was also overloaded,

boose n broads.

lol
« Last Edit: November 17, 2006, 06:57:51 PM by coldspot »
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