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FARR 400 tests a success
APPLICATIONS
FARR 400 tests a success PREMIER COMPOSITE Technologies (PCT), Dubai based builder of the new FARR 400 racing yacht, has confirmed the successful test sailing of the first hull.
ZYVEX TECHNOLOGIES reports that its Piranha 54 ft unmanned boat built using carbon nanotube strengthened prepreg has completed sea trials which demonstrate record fuel efficiency.
The FARR 400 is a carbon fibre composite, one design, 40 ft racing yacht built using infusion technology. “The FARR 400 is a fast boat but a friendly balanced boat to sail,” reports pro-sailor Dee Smith. “The construction is a good balance of strength and cost – infused carbon construction with foam core. This method is very consistent as only the correct amount of resin gets into the part, and the foam core provides better sheer strength.” After some fine tuning, the FARR 400 will be shipped to Barcelona for the Conde de Godo Sailing Trophy in May. It will then race at several regattas throughout the summer.
The new FARR 400 underwent a week of rigorous sea trials in conditions varying between 6-20 knots.
With 10 boats already sold, there should be enough boats already for a one design class in 2012. Farr Yacht Design, PCT and Dee Smith are currently working on the class rules to make a “more consistent, one design class that is fun and fast for everyone.” FARR 400; www.farr400.com Premier Composite Technologies; www.pct.ae
Composite satellite parts VN COMPOSITES has manufactured composite parts for a Thales Alenia Space satellite using prepregs from Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG). Thales Alenia Space, a European specialist in satellite systems and orbital infrastructures, recently replaced metallic rod connectors with carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite parts to reduce the weight of a satellite. Lowering the weight allows an increased payload for the same launch weight. VN Composites, France, developed a short fibre compression moulding process (CMC®) for the manufacture of these connectors with high dimensional accuracy. The
REINFORCEDplastics
Piranha completes sea trials
company adapted Advanced Composite Group (ACG)’s MTM®46 prepreg materials for its production method. MTM46 is a toughened structural epoxy prepreg system offering flexible, cost-effective processing via press, oven/vacuum bag moulding or autoclave. MTM46 offers a Tg capability up to 180°C and meets NASA outgassing requirements.
Piranha is an unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to enable a broad range of operations at sea with reduced operational costs and risks to sailors. Columbus, Ohio-based Zyvex says defence contractors are evaluating the Piranha for a variety of applications, including anti-piracy operations, harbour patrol, and oceanographic surveying. Built using Zyvex’s Arovex™ carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced carbon fibre prepreg, the Piranha weighs 8400 lbs. Boats of similar size typically weigh 40 000 lbs, reports Zyvex. The 75% lighter Piranha is therefore easier to transport and more cost-effective to operate. After six months of testing, the Piranha has completed its final sea trial – an approximate 600 nautical mile (nm) roughweather sea test off the shores of Washington and Oregon, USA.
According to Zyvex, a conventional aluminium or glass fibre reinforced plastic boat would have consumed 50 gallons or more per hour at cruise speed, but test results show that Piranha consumed only 12 gallons of fuel per hour while cruising at 25 knots. Piranha can travel 2800 nm without refuelling and has operated in open ocean conditions with waves exceeding 12 ft. Russell Belden, vice president of Zyvex Technologies, notes that similar sized vessels built from heavier materials can only travel 450 nm without refuelling and have limited rough weather performance. “The lightweight Piranha delivers significantly better fuel efficiency and capability than any vessel this size,” he claims. “The most expensive part of operating a boat can be the fuel costs. Since the Piranha gets 2.5 miles per gallon going 25 knots, its operators would only spend one fourth as much on operating costs.” Zyvex Technologies; www.zyvextech.com
The VN Composites connectors are now qualified on two Thales Alenia Space telecom satellites. Thales Alenia Space; www.thalesgroup.com VN Composites; www.vn-composites.fr ACG; www.acg.co.uk
MAY/JUNE 2011
The Piranha USV offers increases in range, payload, and fuel efficiency, making it ideal for long range surveillance, patrol, and anti-piracy operations.
www.reinforcedplastics.com
FARR 400 tests a success PREMIER COMPOSITE Technologies (PCT), Dubai based builder of the new FARR 400 racing yacht, has confirmed the successful test sailing of the first hull.
ZYVEX TECHNOLOGIES reports that its Piranha 54 ft unmanned boat built using carbon nanotube strengthened prepreg has completed sea trials which demonstrate record fuel efficiency.
The FARR 400 is a carbon fibre composite, one design, 40 ft racing yacht built using infusion technology. “The FARR 400 is a fast boat but a friendly balanced boat to sail,” reports pro-sailor Dee Smith. “The construction is a good balance of strength and cost – infused carbon construction with foam core. This method is very consistent as only the correct amount of resin gets into the part, and the foam core provides better sheer strength.” After some fine tuning, the FARR 400 will be shipped to Barcelona for the Conde de Godo Sailing Trophy in May. It will then race at several regattas throughout the summer.
The new FARR 400 underwent a week of rigorous sea trials in conditions varying between 6-20 knots.
With 10 boats already sold, there should be enough boats already for a one design class in 2012. Farr Yacht Design, PCT and Dee Smith are currently working on the class rules to make a “more consistent, one design class that is fun and fast for everyone.” FARR 400; www.farr400.com Premier Composite Technologies; www.pct.ae
Composite satellite parts VN COMPOSITES has manufactured composite parts for a Thales Alenia Space satellite using prepregs from Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG). Thales Alenia Space, a European specialist in satellite systems and orbital infrastructures, recently replaced metallic rod connectors with carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite parts to reduce the weight of a satellite. Lowering the weight allows an increased payload for the same launch weight. VN Composites, France, developed a short fibre compression moulding process (CMC®) for the manufacture of these connectors with high dimensional accuracy. The
REINFORCEDplastics
Piranha completes sea trials
company adapted Advanced Composite Group (ACG)’s MTM®46 prepreg materials for its production method. MTM46 is a toughened structural epoxy prepreg system offering flexible, cost-effective processing via press, oven/vacuum bag moulding or autoclave. MTM46 offers a Tg capability up to 180°C and meets NASA outgassing requirements.
Piranha is an unmanned surface vessel (USV) designed to enable a broad range of operations at sea with reduced operational costs and risks to sailors. Columbus, Ohio-based Zyvex says defence contractors are evaluating the Piranha for a variety of applications, including anti-piracy operations, harbour patrol, and oceanographic surveying. Built using Zyvex’s Arovex™ carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced carbon fibre prepreg, the Piranha weighs 8400 lbs. Boats of similar size typically weigh 40 000 lbs, reports Zyvex. The 75% lighter Piranha is therefore easier to transport and more cost-effective to operate. After six months of testing, the Piranha has completed its final sea trial – an approximate 600 nautical mile (nm) roughweather sea test off the shores of Washington and Oregon, USA.
According to Zyvex, a conventional aluminium or glass fibre reinforced plastic boat would have consumed 50 gallons or more per hour at cruise speed, but test results show that Piranha consumed only 12 gallons of fuel per hour while cruising at 25 knots. Piranha can travel 2800 nm without refuelling and has operated in open ocean conditions with waves exceeding 12 ft. Russell Belden, vice president of Zyvex Technologies, notes that similar sized vessels built from heavier materials can only travel 450 nm without refuelling and have limited rough weather performance. “The lightweight Piranha delivers significantly better fuel efficiency and capability than any vessel this size,” he claims. “The most expensive part of operating a boat can be the fuel costs. Since the Piranha gets 2.5 miles per gallon going 25 knots, its operators would only spend one fourth as much on operating costs.” Zyvex Technologies; www.zyvextech.com
The VN Composites connectors are now qualified on two Thales Alenia Space telecom satellites. Thales Alenia Space; www.thalesgroup.com VN Composites; www.vn-composites.fr ACG; www.acg.co.uk
MAY/JUNE 2011
The Piranha USV offers increases in range, payload, and fuel efficiency, making it ideal for long range surveillance, patrol, and anti-piracy operations.
www.reinforcedplastics.com