Low cost Carbon spars

Hello,
Does anyone know where I might be able to obtain low (ish) cost Carbon Fibre tubes, with and without tapers. We are in the UK, but I had heard about low cost CF spars coming from Eastern Europe? Anyone Know anything?
Regards
Matt

 

Describe "lowish" as the wish for high tech materials, usually requires substantial funds over a more conventional approach. Cutting costs is everyone's concern, but I'm reminded of the TI-99 calculator I bought many years ago, when they appeared as the first on the market of the type. I paid over a hundred bucks for the thing, which now can be had under $15. The high tech machine then was in demand and required techniques and materials that weren't in big supply, hence the high cost (typical of cutting edge stuff) Now after 30 plus years of production, well established material, labor, distribution, sales, etc. networks have made the product very affordable. The same will be true of CF sticks some day.

 

Depending on your requirements, and how well tooled up you are, you may be able to make your own, utilizing unidirectional and braided carbon sleeves on a tapered mandrel.

http://braider.com/index_lo.html
A&P Technology, Inc.

I too am interested in any sources for mass produced carbon fiber tubes, particularly here in the States.

DC

 

Matt,

My experience is:-

In the UK the best price for prepreg tube I have found is www.carbonfibretubes.co.uk

If you don't mind pullwound then www.fibreforce.co.uk are cheaper still. But you may need to buy large quantities.

also tube should be fairly easy to DIY.

In summary for 3" OD 2mm wall

wrapped prepreg ~£40/m
pullwound ~£25/m
DIY ~£15/m


Please let me know how you get on with your search.

All the best
Gareth
www.fourhulls.com

 

Check this site:
http://www.exelindustry.net/tubesandprofiles/index.php?list=tubes60-200#list

 

What is the difference between pullwound and wrapped pre preg?
How are they manufactured?
Thanks for all your help on this - anyone any other ideas?
Matt

 

www.compotech.com

Section available and prices.

 

Matt:
I know we are over th epond but your pound has a lot of purchas power here. We manufacture axially weighted carbon tubing utilizing a digital 3 axis braider in line with a filament winder to produce streight, streight to taper and tapered tubes under 6" in diameter. We can drop plies on the fly and lots of other fancy tricks. Shipping to the UK is not as costly as you may think (ie we have available Flying Dutchman spars delivered in the UK for 1200$ US all in). We have mandrells from .375"-6" streight and streight to taper along with some D sections and wing sections. You can take a closer look at the sections available and the $/ft on our web site www.forterts.com if you do not see what you are looking for ping us back and we willpunch out a quick design for you.
Thanks Tony

 

If its products are as good as its customer service, this company should be brilliant! The quickest most helpfull quote I have ever received.

 

Thanks for the complement

Thanks for the complement we are a small company and try to focus on what we do best.
Tony

 

Good explanation at http://www.fibreforce.co.uk/process.htm.

Supplies of dinghy spar sized tube in the UK (not tapered though) www.woolmer.co.uk. In 3m lengths. Currently building a Moth mast with 2 of their tubes. Not tested yet though!

Cheers

 

We use carbonfibretubes.co.uk
They manufacture to our spec at a reasonable price.
Cant say fairer than that.
However If you need greater volumes, go abroad.............
Jinli Composites in china or one of the Taiwanese producers
What size tubes were you after.... we might have some.