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05-19-2010, 02:04 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Switzerland soon back to Oregon
Posts: 733
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by spomo1
Do you have any deflection numbers for these on a 40" span? Its possible that no frame is needed..
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I didn't get that far and am planning doing the bed board with it, as you.
The only one that has stock and could deliver one or two boards is paneltec and they can give the deflection of the product.
Unfortunately they didn't reply to my request yet, will try again...
__________________
2009 E350 window RB 6.0 PSD Quadvan 4x4 with EB pop top
2003 E350 ambulance 7.3 PSD Quigley
2007 Jeep JK for local offroad
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05-19-2010, 08:25 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Since they use nomex foam and aluminum sandwich for the floors of helicopters and commercial jets as well as load bearing panels for other structures, such as boats and cars I think your idea is an excellent one. You can make the panels yourself with balsa, foam or hexcell core and thin ply or fiberglass faces. There are load tables available and you can calculate what the dimensions and materials you need for the load and span. Very much lighter than solid ply or aluminum framing.
As a very rough guide, and obviously dependent on material choices (what core material, what density of core material, what facing etc) you will get the same rigidity from a 1/2 inch composite board as you would from an equivalent thickness of solid material like ply.
Boat building suppliers like Noah's Marine or aeroplane suppliers like Aircraft Spruce will have the materials as well as load info.
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05-24-2010, 08:03 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by axel
Boat building suppliers like Noah's Marine or aeroplane suppliers like Aircraft Spruce will have the materials as well as load info.
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Neither site had the pre-made panels - they had the raw honeycomb cell stuff, but not finished panels.
Bummer.
Sandi
__________________
2006 Ford RB E-350 Cargo Van
5.4L V8
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05-25-2010, 07:54 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 36
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Sandi, try this for finished panels and poke around the net a bit, you'll find all you need.
http://nida-core.com/english/nidaprod_l ... posite.htm
Typically foam or hexcell are lighter than balsa and for a bed you won't need the additional shear and crush strength of balsa.
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05-25-2010, 10:29 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Thanks, Axel, I'll check it out.
While noodling on another site, I came across this one for a custom Sprinter van conversion-
http://www.outsidevan.com/espar-pony.html#
You have to scroll through the picture gallery, but pay attention to the rear couch with the panels above.
They've used the Hexcel panels in their bed setup. However, instead of a removable aluminum frame, they bolted channels to the walls of the van, and kept the panels as separate pieces. This is even more adaptable than a removable welded frame, I think, and probably less work to make. Yay!
Sandi
__________________
2006 Ford RB E-350 Cargo Van
5.4L V8
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05-25-2010, 11:58 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandi
Thanks, Axel, I'll check it out.
While noodling on another site, I came across this one for a custom Sprinter van conversion-
http://www.outsidevan.com/espar-pony.html#
You have to scroll through the picture gallery, but pay attention to the rear couch with the panels above.
They've used the Hexcel panels in their bed setup. However, instead of a removable aluminum frame, they bolted channels to the walls of the van, and kept the panels as separate pieces. This is even more adaptable than a removable welded frame, I think, and probably less work to make. Yay!
Sandi
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I like the interior, but man, get some windows in there. It looks like cubicle-hell for Dilbert.
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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06-04-2010, 04:05 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Rosa CA
Posts: 638
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Sandi,
Go to my gallery pages 2 and 3. I made a frame out of 1" square tube and then the platform out of cabinet grade 3/8 plywood cut into 2 sections. It is easy to remove, light weight and cheap! We sleep across the van. It's 6" and we are under that. I put the mattress at window height to gain the full width and max storage underneath.
Chris
__________________
Chris/Ruth
2016 MBZ Sprinter 144" 4wd.
DIY
07 BMW 525xi wagon
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06-04-2010, 06:33 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 76
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Thwaites
Sandi,
Go to my gallery pages 2 and 3. I made a frame out of 1" square tube and then the platform out of cabinet grade 3/8 plywood cut into 2 sections. It is easy to remove, light weight and cheap! We sleep across the van. It's 6" and we are under that. I put the mattress at window height to gain the full width and max storage underneath.
Chris
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We can't do that. DH is over 6', so it has to run front to back.
And we've both had spinal surgery, so I suspect your definition of lightweight (40 lbs each section?) does not equal ours.
But thanks.
Sandi
__________________
2006 Ford RB E-350 Cargo Van
5.4L V8
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06-04-2010, 09:33 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Rosa CA
Posts: 638
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Re: Building a platform for the bed - Hexcel?
We weigh 300# combined!
__________________
Chris/Ruth
2016 MBZ Sprinter 144" 4wd.
DIY
07 BMW 525xi wagon
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