https://www.ericpillai.space/blog daily 0.75 2020-04-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1528977171201-02F5C6LN2OFQ6HZLYHX9/34406561_385918888571709_3494221109526528000_n.jpg Blog https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/2018/6/14/first-post-plasma-actuators-are-evil monthly 0.5 2018-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1528989577245-TRH80YXB123IBJWZ3H6R/Plasma1-1-474x197-landscape.jpg Blog - First Post! Plasma Actuators are ~evil~ Plasma actuator in operation. Source: NovaNext https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/2018/11/11/compositepart1 monthly 0.5 2018-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542418220074-L0A8WY5VC2M7XFQKXEPW/IMG_3139.JPG Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers - Fiberglass Cheaper and even more workable than carbon fiber, fiberglass is an attractive option for a rocket on a budget, parts that must be radio-transparent, or in applications where a more flexible structure is advantageous. Pictured: Nose cone of LAD-Spark while still in its CNC-ed mold https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542423352892-L1TIWW71B6JNDZEWBT1P/20181028_132329.jpg Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers - Nose Cone Layup Applying fiberglass composite in wet layup to a CNC milled half nose cone mold. The mold was sealed with auto-body primer, covered in mold release wax, and had alignment holes to ensure a symmetric fit with its pair. Mold release smells really good… like chap stick… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542722005014-D8IPWOCQSL72ZL774TGH/IMG_3619.JPG Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542417283520-VE9YXG5BLCVIIBC4QB1I/IMG_3131.JPG Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers - Carbon Fiber Carbon fiber is famous for its outstanding strength-to-weight, its deep black color, and its signature “glassy” look that is developed by a thin layer of resin applied to the exterior of the tube after curing. Pictured: Airframe of LAD-Spark after finishing. You can actually see my lab coat reflected in the material! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542419949834-WBIH13S20T3S13NYYAKK/KEVLAR+Twill+Weave+Fabric-3.jpg Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers - Kevlar / Aramid Made famous by its use in bulletproof vests, Kevlar is an exceptionally tough impact and abrasion resistant composite material. With high cost, poor workability, and few major benefits to amateur rockets, Kevlar is not recommended for use in the context of collegiate rocketry. Pictured: Fibreglast Kelvar Twill Weave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1542422659342-CX6L7IC27VJFA8XICVBU/IMG_3027.JPG Blog - Composites are like onions - they have layers - Fiberglass Core Layup We initially used a PVC pipe as a mandrel for the composite airframe, but quickly discovered that it develops a strong static electricity interaction with Mylar film, making mandrel removal near-impossible (we had to cut it apart, damaging the tube in the process). All subsequent layups were done using disposable cardboard mailing tubes (much much easier to work with, and shockingly dimensionally accurate). https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/tag/Composites monthly 0.5 https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/tag/Fiberglass monthly 0.5 https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/tag/Sparky monthly 0.5 https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/tag/Airframe monthly 0.5 https://www.ericpillai.space/blog/tag/Carbon+Fiber monthly 0.5 https://www.ericpillai.space/home daily 1.0 2020-04-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1528966050394-J4ZDX1F0WQ7U6Y593U67/xreceived_169081953837123.jpeg Home - Autodesk Pier 9 CNC Demo While touring Autodesk Pier 9, I got a chance to see some example items produced by their on-site 13 axis CNC milling machine. The hardest part was putting the cube back together! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1541927054645-IBKQN9PJW9GEL92ADLD7/SparkyAvBay.JPG Home - Debugging in the Mojave During the launch of LAD-Sparky, we had to make some last-minute code changes designed to ensure that the backup altimeter supplied by Rick Maschek at FAR wouldn’t be “faked out” by a sudden pressure increase from our CO2 parachute ejection system https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1541926574741-BL5ZH4CQ4TJFM256656T/SparkyRail.jpg Home - Sunset Launch With light fading fast and FAA regulations coming into play, Sparky was loaded on the launch rail right as the sun began to set over the mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5af93e748f513090f739eba4/1587025483890-99CY571FQ7VJ733HCMC5/wqL7b1tZ.JPG Home - What it's all about 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