DG-300 instrument panel

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Thanks Bill, I just happen to have some 1/8" plexiglass in my shop
from when I built my router table, so I have that tool too! I might
try and get hold of a carbon fiber blank and use that for a svelt
looking panel!

Carbon is not a good idea for an instrument panel. In a crash it will be
strong enough to break legs before it breaks, and when it does break it
will be sharp enough to lacerate efficiently.

There are good safety reasons for the BGA recommendation of building a
nice, not too strong instrument panel in glass fibre.

--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.

I understand the crash protection concerns but changing materials in an
older glider worries me. It's quite possible that the instrument panel is
itself a structural member - even if in hindsight that was a bad idea.
Replace the solid original with a frangible one and you may have compromised
cockpit strength perhaps gaining nothing or even losing a little safety in
the process.

Old glider are, well, old gliders and there are risks associated with flying
them. You get what you pay for. If you really want the latest in crash
protection, dust off the checkbook and buy a new one.

Bill Daniels

Bill Daniels wrote:
"Bruce" wrote in message
...

wrote:

Thanks Bill, I just happen to have some 1/8" plexiglass in my shop
from when I built my router table, so I have that tool too! I might
try and get hold of a carbon fiber blank and use that for a svelt
looking panel!


Carbon is not a good idea for an instrument panel. In a crash it will be
strong enough to break legs before it breaks, and when it does break it
will be sharp enough to lacerate efficiently.

There are good safety reasons for the BGA recommendation of building a
nice, not too strong instrument panel in glass fibre.

--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.


I understand the crash protection concerns but changing materials in an
older glider worries me. It's quite possible that the instrument panel is
itself a structural member - even if in hindsight that was a bad idea.
Replace the solid original with a frangible one and you may have compromised
cockpit strength perhaps gaining nothing or even losing a little safety in
the process.

Old glider are, well, old gliders and there are risks associated with flying
them. You get what you pay for. If you really want the latest in crash
protection, dust off the checkbook and buy a new one.

Bill Daniels


Hi Bill

My Cirrus still has the original aluminium panel, partly for this reason.
However, if you have decided to play aero engineer and replace it, the current
view is that a frangible design is preferable.

--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.

Hi Bill - As I understand it, the DG in question currently
has a fiberglass panel. Changing to aluminum would
thus be a step backwards in safety.
Lets be safe out there,
Best Regards, Dave "YO"

E-Machine is a great service. I have used it to produce
some fairly complicated CNC aluminum parts. They are
not cheap, fast (typically 4 weeks) nor will their
software handle much in compound curves but then again
you don't have to take a course to understand it.



At 20:42 28 January 2006, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Bill Daniels wrote:

Loop this process until you run out of patience or
have the exact layout you
like. Then, use the final template and the router
to cut the actual panel
out of your material of choice.

If this strikes you as way too much work, use a PC
CAD program to lay out
the panel and e-mail a .DXF file to a laser cutting
shop who will cut the
new panel for you. Some will even cut plexi test
panels for you to play
with. Hint: to get the panel outline right, trace
the old panel on a large
sheet of graph paper and then transfer the grid points
to the CAD program.

You take a look at try http://emachineshop.com/, which
provides an easy
to use CAD program that will provide immediate quotes
from the drawing
you make. A large choice of materials and finishes
is available,
including fiberglass sheet.

--
Change 'netto' to 'net' to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA