Re: ATM Composite Tube

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@panix.com>]

Jack wrote:
> 
> From: "Dave Pitou" <dpitou@ix.netcom.com>
> 
> "Actually the $800 composite tube is pretty easy to make, and not that
> expensive...
> 
> Anyway, I would like to know more about this "easy to make".
> 
> Let's start with the word "composite".  Just exactly what does that
> mean?  What is it made of and how does one make one?
> 

"Composite" materials is a generic term for the various forms of
fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other exotic materials (although not
limited to just these materials).  A common method is to take a cloth
(e.g., fiberglass, kevlar, etc.) and impregnate it with a resin (e.g.,
epoxy).  This can be done with individual fibers as well as woven
cloth.

Components made of fiberglass are used in model airplanes, model (and
high power) rockets, and home made airplanes.  Burt Rutan developed an
easy to do method of making complex parts for his series of plans
built canard aircraft (e.g. Varieze, Long-EZ, etc.).

You can find more information on making fiberglass parts in back
issues of Sport Rocketry (magazine of the National Association of
Rocketry <URL:http://www.nar.org/>), rec.model.rockets, Dangerous
Dave's home page <URL:http://www.ddave.com/>, various books on home
built aircraft, rec.aviation.homebuilt, and in the various model
airplane magazines.

WARNING: the materials used to make fiberglass are dangerous.
Dangerous Dave had to give up his business (fiberglass high power
rockets) in part because he became allergic to the resin through poor
work habits.

By the way, there is a high power rocketry company called Apogee.
Does anyone know if this is the same company selling the telescope
tubes?

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Humans explore the Universe with five
reynolds@panix.com              |   senses and call the adventure science."
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | - Edwin P. Hubble