278

FLIGHT.

SEPTEMBER

29, 1938.

MOULDED
Improved Processes Lead to Important

WOOD
Manufacturing Advantages

H E d a y w h e n t h e s t r u c t u r a l s t r e n g t h of a n aeroplane can be m a d e everywhere p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e local stresses seems t o h a v e been b r o u g h t one step nearer b y t h e discovery of certain m a n u f a c t u r i n g processes, w h e r e b y t h e compression a n d i m p r e g n a t i o n of l a m i n a t e d wood can be carried o u t a t m u c h lower t e m p e r a t u r e s t h a n h a v e previously been necessary. T h e secret lies in a new adhesive developed b y J a b l o (Holdings), L t d . , which requires t h e application of m o d e r a t e h e a t only for t h e bonding a n d final setting of compressed wood. T h e principles of t h e original J a b l o compressed a n d imp r e g n a t e d wood l a m i n a t e d construction were explained in a n article in Flight of D e c e m b e r 16, 1937. B y t h e new l o w - t e m p e r a t u r e setting process it becomes possible t o produce such c o m p o n e n t s for t h e p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e of a n aeroplane as wing spar flanges, streamline s t r u t s , stressed skins, e t c . , w i t h o u t t h e use of splices, as t h e t e r m is ordinarily u n d e r s t o o d . B y mixing t h e ingredients of t h e new chemical glue in a p a r t i c u l a r p r o p o r t i o n , t h e adhesive c a n be m a d e in such a w a y t h a t t h e r m o p l a s t i c characteristics r e m a i n d u r i n g t h e bonding of t h e compressed m a t e r i a l , a n d t h e final setting is o b t a i n e d after either a second or t h i r d operation w i t h a m a x i m u m t e m p e r a t u r e of 100 deg. C. T h e new m e t h o d p e r m i t s of m a n u f a c t u r i n g long comp o n e n t s , such as spars, wing skins, e t c . , in c o n t i n u o u s

A spar made of moulded wood. The flanges are strips of triangular section cut from a rectangular block and joined by a covering strip, itself of moulded compressed wood. The spar web is, of course, made of less density than the flanges. lengths b y r e p e a t e d a n d " s t a g g e r e d " pressing operations a n d h e a t t r e a t m e n t . F o r such operations comparatively small a n d cheap dies c a n b e used in small presses. . O n e m a y assume t h a t y e t a n o t h e r a d v a n t a g e of t h e lower setting t e m p e r a t u r e will p r o v e t o be t h a t t h e compressed

A twisted skin covering in moulded compressed wood is quite within the capacity of the new process. wood itself will n o t be ' ' e m b r i t t l e d '' (if we m a y coin a word) t o t h e s a m e e x t e n t a s when t h e setting temperature is m u c h higher. T h i s should m e a n t h e r e t e n t i o n by the m a t e r i a l of a higher degree of n a t u r a l sound elasticity. A c o m p a n y u n d e r t h e n a m e Moulded Components (Jablo), L t d . , has been registered for t h e p u r p o s e of exploiting a n d developing t h e J a b l o p a t e n t s . T h e manufact u r e of J a b l o m o u l d e d m a t e r i a l is being u n d e r t a k e n in conj u n c t i o n with t h e A e r o n a u t i c a l P a n e l a n d Plywood Co., L t d . , whose extensive m a n u f a c t u r i n g resources h a v e been e x t e n d e d t o include t h e n e w processes. Certain aircraft c o m p o n e n t s m a d e e x p e r i m e n t a l l y by the new m o u l d i n g m e t h o d are shown in t h e sketches.

Aero Golfing Society

H E autumn meeting of the Aero Golfing Society for the Cellon trophy was held at Sudbrooke Park, Richmond, on Wednesday, September 21. The winner was Mr. R. Ashley Hall, 80 less 18 = 62. Other returns were: Lt.-Col. Sir Francis Shelmerdine, 82 less 16 = 6 6 ; Cdr. H . E. Perrin, Ss less 16 = 7 2 ; Mr. G. F . Roberts, 75 less 3 = 72. In the four-ball foursomes, Cdr. Perrin and Mr. A. JMitchell-Clarke were 10 up on bogey. Lt.-Col. Sir Francis Shelmerdine and Mr. R. Ashley Hall were second with 7 up-

Section of a streamline strut made of moulded impregnated compressed wood. Note the dovetail joints which secure the two halves of the strut together.