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Engineering Commons

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Theses/Dissertations

Manufacturing

Utah State University

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Effect Of Manufacturing Processes On The Loss Factor And Other Mechanical Properties Of Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Brian P. Spackman May 2015

Effect Of Manufacturing Processes On The Loss Factor And Other Mechanical Properties Of Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Brian P. Spackman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The characteristics essential for manufacturing parts and products are not well known for natural fiber-reinforced composite materials. Natural fibers display properties similar to glass fibers, and present a more environmentally friendly option for manufacturing composite materials. This research investigates various parameters in the manufacture of kenaf fiber-reinforced composites including cure time, density, matrix hardener ratio, surface treatment, and fiber length and examines the effect they have on mechanical properties of the composite material. Several samples were created and subjected to a vibrational test. Using known relationships, mechanical properties were extracted from the test results. Samples were found to exhibit repeatable …


The Analysis And Manufacturing Of The Personal Vacuum Assisted Climber Ii, Rhet B. Astle May 2014

The Analysis And Manufacturing Of The Personal Vacuum Assisted Climber Ii, Rhet B. Astle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Personal Vacuum Assisted Climber or PVAC for short (as shown in Fig 2) is a new means for climbing walls. Unlike ordinary climbing methods used today, the PVAC scales walls via suction. This suction is produced by three spinning impellers within each vacuum motor, which removes air from a sealed area. A climber pulls down on a vacuum pressure release mechanism to release the vacuum. Foot stirrups are used by the climber to climb to the next higher step. This allows the strength of the climber's legs to lift his/her body reducing arm fatigue, allowing rapid ascension of any …