I'm planning to build a Mount for my Camera to go on the front of my model helicopter, I want to use Carbon Fibre.

Does anyone know where I can get Carbon Fibre Sheeting ??? esp in the UK ??? I've done alittle digging but not getting anywhere, the best I have so far is £95 for a 2mm sheet 500mm by 1000mm far too big.

Other things I need are bearings (and holders for) etc...

Heres hoping,

Cheers

Cris.

I would also like to know of a carbon fiber supplier, but preferably one in the USA.

For bearings, gears, shafts, etc....
http://www.sdp-si.com
A few others that i haven't really looked into:
Allied Devices
Berg
Boston Gears
Chicago Gear
Nueman
Nordex
Pic-Design

Those are US suppliers though.

Try here.

What camera system are you going to use? And which helicopter?

pca

hmmm. i wonder if the "free post" inlcudes shipments to the US.

Cool. Thanks for that link. They've got some stuff on there that I've been looking for as well.

Thanks for the info

I've got a Raptor 30 at the moment (still learning) hope to move onto a Raptor 60 by the time I have the mount built.

I'm using a BlackWidowAV downlink connected to a RF Concepts Bullet Video Camera to start with. I plan to move onto a digital still camera, using the 2.4Ghz stuff for the downlink from the video out of the still camera, this way I can see what pictures I'm taking.

I think it will end up being a 2 man system, one to fly and one to take the pictures. This will give you an idea of what I would like to make.

Cheers

Cris.

How much do you need, if it is a smallish piece (A4 sort of size) let me know and I'll mould it for you, we have a few metres of carbon cloth doing naff all here at work and a labscale press, free to you or anyone else in the UK (within reason).

Cheers, Sim

Give http://www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk a go

I'm pretty sure they'll be able to sort you out with something. Among other things, they sell dashboards for Caterham-style cars for £52 that might do you

Blank carbon-fibre dashboards for a variety of applications. Measuring 1500mm across and 240mm high with a rolled bottom edge these dashboards are suitable for many popular kit car applications.

The dashboards are oven-moulded pre-preg carbon-fibre (ie. not the lesser wet-lay process of laying up), they are 1.7mm thick, very light and very strong. Available in two patterns - either with the 2x2 twill carbon weave going horizontally across the dashboard or with the weave going diagonally across the dashboard.



EDIT: Actually, they also sell CF sheet in a variety of sizes:

http://www.fluke-motorsport.co.uk/products/carbonfibre/sheets.html

Available in a range of sizes, weaves and thicknesses we have sheets of pre-preg carbon-fibre. Perfect for pannelling chassis, replacing existing fibreglass or alluminium panelling and (for the thicker panels) floors. Available in 0.7mm, 1mm, 1.7mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm thickness.

The panels can be cut in sizes of 1000x500mm or 1100x1000mm. Available in 2x2twill weave or 5 harness.

Technical Information

We would recommend -
- 0.7mm for nonstressed panels/covers (e.g. stone guards)
- 1mm-1.7mm for general panels (chassis panels, tunnel cover)
- 2mm-3mm for floors
- 4mm for stressed applications

The weaves available are 2x2 twill and 5 harness.

Also, once you've got your camera mounted on the front of your helicopter, I'm pretty sure you could make some money out of trackdays. It's often been touted as an idea to get a camera mounted in a RC helicopter to take aerial shots...

simspos - Cheers !!! I may take you up on that. I would need about 3 pieces about A4 size (maybe 4???). I don't mind paying you for your trouble. It needs to be about 2mm thick.

furtive - Thanks for the info, that is where I got the £90 quote from, they won't sell it to me any smaller.
I am sort of doing this to make money, not huge profits, just enough to cover the costs of the hobby. What sort of thing would you talking about ??? At the side of the track or following the cars ???

Anybody know how easy it is to cut Carbon Fibre ??? Can I use a Dremel ???

Cheers

Cris.

Cris, if you want the material just say so, I could probably get it done tomorrow. I have no interest in making any money but you can pay the postage if you really want to.

2mm thick is no problem as the fabric we have is pretty chunky, would only be about 2 layers. Process route is wet-layup then press moulded / cured (so in terms of structural properties, it's up there with autoclaving & prepregs)

Carbon fibre is no more difficult to cut than glass fibre so choose your favourite tools and they'll probably be fine.

Cheers, Sim

You are THE MAN !!!!

I have sent you PM

Cheers

Cris.

No idea what sort of think I'm talking about really, but probably not following the cars as that could be dangerous. I'll ask about and see what people would want...

Is it a stills camera or video?

Yea, following cars doesn't seem like a good idea to me, esp. with my flying

It will do both Video and Stills by the time I'm finished, if I get a bigger Raptor 60 then I should be able to mount a camcorder directly on the Heli. It will have Pan and Tilt on it, so I could follow car around corners (F1 style) but the Heli stays still (sort of). I'm talking next summer until I can get this all up and running, I need the time to spread the cost.

Anyone else do model Heli's ??? I know Patrick has dabbled a little.

Cheers

Cris.

Do you have any 10mm and/or 12mm carbon tube, by any chance?

pca

The problem with this is insurance. Standard BMFA insurance, which anyone flying in the UK should get (about £21 per year, from memory), covers you for quite silly third-party liability costs (something like 5 megaquid), but specifically exempts commercial use of the model. Commercial use being anything that you profit from in any way, not necessarily being paid for in cash.

Helicopters particularly have the potential for truly spectacular damage claims

That said, I was reading an article about high-speed slope-soaring model gliders, the speed record for which currently stands at something like 225 mph! Get hit by one of those, and your problems would be over immediately

pca

I was under the impression the BMFA offer commercial insurance for £50 on top of the normal premium. I will have to find about this. I think you need your A licence first.

Cheers

Cris.