Looking for advice on making rear wing

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#1

Im looking to make a rear wing for my track car and am looking for advice on any suggestions.
The wing is a standard straight air foil with a 10" chord and about 60" in length.

So far I have finished making a plug for the wing. I have a friend who has a small CNC lathe so I had him cut cross section pieces out of MDF. I took all the pieces, glued them together, primered, sanded,painted. So now I have a really heavy plug ready to make a mold out of.

I know there are some guys with experience with race car parts on these boards so I am looking for any input on how I should construct my wing.
I was planning on making a two part mold and then vaccum infusing the top and bottom halfs to glue together with Hysol.
Im really not sure if the wing would need any extra bracing on the inside or if it will be ok just being hollow. Ive also met some guys at autocrosses that had wings that had a foam core covered with carbon. Im really not sure how most wings out there are constructed so any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

#2

The Formula team at my school made both halves separately and then bonded them together, I think the Oregon state team did the same thing. I’ve also seen Formula teams do the foam core overlay that you’re talking about.

By far the neatest method I’ve seen is the one developed by Swift Engineering. They use a closed mold and apply pressure with an expanding foam.

http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/high-speed-press-cure-for-high-speed-racers

Be sure that the wing is completely smooth though. The smoother is is the more downforce you’ll get.

#3

Years ago when I participated in FSAE while back in school we made a wing by covering a foam core with a carbon sleeve. The downside to that was the amount of finish work required was really annoying.

It looks like they are using silicone intensifiers on the inside. I wonder if there is any way I can do something similar doing a wet layup/vacuum bagging.

#4

I build wings for dragsters, I have a page showing how I do it but there are number of ways that it can be done.
http://curedcomposites.com/wing.html

#5

Wow, your work looks great.
Care to share how many plies you use on each skin? Those wings must have some massive loads put on them.
I’ll have to use your method to make the ribs!