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Recently, DragonPlate was asked to collaborate with a student organization on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus that focuses on researching and developing competitive carbon fiber rockets. Launch Initiative, as they are known, is a team of young engineers that manufacture competitive rockets with the goal of preparing students for careers in aerospace.

A lot has been written about DIY carbon fiber fabrication. While it is certainly possible to create smaller carbon fiber projects on your own, the larger the project, the more difficult DIY becomes. When it comes to working with carbon fiber panels, there are many benefits to investing in a product from a reputable manufacturer over making your own.

The terms plate and sheet are often used to describe a flat piece of laminated carbon fiber. But, is there a difference between the two terms? This article sets out to clarify the topic.

Carbon fiber sheets have many uses, from making lightweight fixtures and robotic end of arm tooling (EOAT), to inspection fixtures that are dimensionally stable with temperature variations, to UAV components and much more. With such a wide variety of ways that one can use carbon fiber sheets, it is important to understand what to look for when researching their purchase.

Carbon fiber plates consist of multiple laminations of carbon in an epoxy matrix. These sheets come in sizes up to 48 inches by 96 inches and thicknesses up to 1½ inches. Carbon fiber plates are often a better material choice than titanium, aluminum, or steel. They are used in wide range of applications due to their unique characteristics.

Carbon fiber sheeting is a high-performance product, and can be relatively expensive to purchase. Unfortunately, there are companies selling less expensive carbon fiber products which are of lower quality. Purchasing carbon fiber sheeting is definitely a time when "you get what you pay for." If a project justifies the expense of using carbon fiber sheet over another material, it is wise to do your research and invest in a quality product, rather than looking only for the lowest price. Here are a few characteristics to look for, to ensure you’re making a quality purchase.