What products does DragonPlate offer?

DragonPlate offers a wide range of carbon fiber composite products, including tubes (round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, tapered, airfoil, large diameter, telescoping), structural components (angles, I-beams, C-channels, D-tubes, hat stiffeners, modular tube connectors), panels and sheets (solid sheets, sandwich panels, laminates, veneers), and specialty products such as flame-retardant composites, high-temperature materials, Kevlar composites, adhesives, and fasteners. Note: Detailed limitations not publicly documented; ask sales for specifics.

What services does DragonPlate provide?

DragonPlate provides custom design, engineering, and prototyping services through its Element6 Composites Division, as well as in-house custom fabrication, CNC cutting, and full manufacturing services from prototypes to high-volume production. The facility is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Note: For highly specialized or regulated applications, additional consultation may be required.

Which industries use DragonPlate products?

DragonPlate products are used in aerospace/aviation, defense, industrial automation, medical devices, musical instruments, tactical gear, and safety industries. Note: Suitability for highly regulated or niche industries should be confirmed with sales.

What are the key features and benefits of DragonPlate products?

Key features include high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, environmental resistance, advanced engineering tools (such as Finite Element Analysis for design optimization), customization options (CNC cutting, custom laminate schedules), regulatory compliance (biocompatibility and radiolucency for medical applications), ISO 9001:2015 certification, and modular carbon fiber tube connectors. Note: Not all features are available for every product; check specifications for details.

Does DragonPlate offer custom carbon fiber solutions?

Yes, DragonPlate offers custom carbon fiber solutions, including custom sheet sizes, CNC cut parts, and specialized laminate schedules. These services are provided through the Element6 Composites Division and are tailored to meet specific project requirements. Note: Custom projects may require additional lead time and consultation.

What technical documentation is available for DragonPlate products?

Technical documentation includes the Ultimate Guide to Carbon Fiber Design and Application, downloadable CAD models, detailed technical specifications, and resources on practical carbon fiber applications. These resources are available on the DragonPlate and Element6 Composites websites. Note: Some documentation may require registration or direct inquiry.

How is DragonPlate pricing determined?

DragonPlate product prices are listed on the website in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice. Prices do not include shipping, taxes, or handling charges, which are calculated based on order details. Customization and additional services may incur extra charges. Payment is typically prepaid, with Net 30 terms available for approved buyers. Bulk discounts may be available for large orders. Note: For the most accurate pricing, consult the website or contact sales directly.

Who can benefit from using DragonPlate products?

Engineers, designers, product developers, and project managers in industries such as aerospace, robotics, medical devices, defense, and industrial automation can benefit from DragonPlate products. The products are designed for applications requiring lightweight, durable, and customizable composite materials. Note: For highly specialized or regulated applications, confirm suitability with sales.

What business impact can customers expect from DragonPlate?

Customers can expect reduced manufacturing costs, lower rework rates, enhanced product performance (weight reduction, durability), accelerated time-to-market, simplified regulatory compliance, and risk reduction through validated designs and ISO 9001:2015 certified quality. Note: Actual impact may vary depending on project scope and implementation.

What problems does DragonPlate help solve?

DragonPlate addresses high manufacturing costs, complex manufacturing processes, localized stress concentrations, regulatory challenges, weight and performance optimization, prototyping and design validation issues, and material handling and safety concerns. Note: Some highly specialized problems may require additional consultation.

How long does it take to implement DragonPlate products?

Off-the-shelf DragonPlate products can typically be integrated immediately. Custom solutions may require additional time depending on project complexity. Technical documentation, CAD models, and responsive customer support are available to assist with implementation. Note: Custom projects may extend lead times; consult with sales for estimates.

What support resources are available for DragonPlate customers?

Support resources include technical documentation, downloadable CAD models, guides, and direct customer support via phone or email. Customers can also manage orders and account information online. Note: Some resources may require registration or direct inquiry.

Can you share specific case studies or customer success stories?

Yes. Examples include: Frontier Electronic Systems (marine defense electrical enclosures), Eureka Dynamics (drone test bed systems), International Climbing Machines (composite chassis for wall-climbing robots), aerospace student organizations (carbon fiber rockets), and the music industry (lightweight guitar designs). Each case demonstrates tailored solutions for demanding applications. Note: Results are project-specific; see linked case studies for details.

How do DragonPlate products perform in demanding environments?

DragonPlate products are engineered for high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and resistance to corrosion and environmental factors. They are suitable for aerospace, robotics, and medical applications where reliability is critical. Note: Performance may vary based on specific application and product selection.

Are DragonPlate products compliant with industry standards?

Yes, DragonPlate materials are designed to meet stringent industry standards, including biocompatibility and radiolucency for medical applications, and are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility. Note: Compliance for specific standards should be confirmed for each product or application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Support

How can I get a copy of my invoice and tracking number?
After your order is placed online, you can at any time, login to your account using your supplied email and password. Once logged in, you can view your order history, print order invoices and obtain order tracking numbers. Tracking numbers are added on the day that your order is shipped.
What is the typical lead time on custom CNC cutting of products?
10-15 business days after the receipt of order. This is the typical lead time that will vary based on volume of current orders.
How long does it take to get my order?
Typicaly, it takes 2-3 days to process each order before order leaves our docks. Shipping time is determined by you during order checkout. For more information see our Shipping Details Page.
Why does my credit card statement say Allred and Associates?
DragonPlate® is the tradename for products manufactured by Allred and Associates.
What if I receive the wrong, damaged, or defective parts?
Always inspect packages carefully before accepting them from any shipping carrier. Do not accept or sign for a box that appears to be damaged during transit. If you notice any damage, insist that the carrier retain the package for a damage claim. Notify DragonPlate sales as soon as possible after rejecting any shipment.

You have up to 30 days from the ship date to return any incorrect, damaged, or defective products. To obtain a return authorization number (RMA), please reach out to our sales department. It is important that you keep all products and packing material until the issue is resolved and DragonPlate allows you to dispose of or return the materials. If the product needs to be repaired or replaced, DragonPlate will pay for the return shipping and provide you with a return label.
Can I return a DragonPlate® product?
Standard products and sizes in their original, saleable condition may be returned with prepaid freight, provided written authorization is obtained from ALLRed within 30 days of the shipping date. Please note that custom orders are non-returnable. Additionally, returns of standard products or sizes on orders exceeding $5,000 may not be authorized, as these items may have been specifically built for the buyer.

To initiate a return, buyers must contact the Seller to request a "Return Materials Authorization" (RMA). When making this request, please provide the reason for the return, the order number, invoice number, and shipping date. The RMA number must be clearly marked on all returned items and is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Refunds for standard product returns will be issued minus the original shipping and handling fees and a restocking fee of up to 15%. Returned items that are damaged or not in their original, sealed condition will not be eligible for a refund. Such items will either be returned to the buyer at their expense or forfeited.

Product Questions

Is the material flexible enough to be rolled?
Dragonplate® veneer can be rolled into a cylinder 1" in diameter. DragonPlate® .025" thick CF Laminate can be rolled into a cylinder 12" in diameter. Most laminate thicknesses larger than this are engineered for stiffness, and do not readily bend.
How is DragonPlate® laminate bonded to other surfaces? What preparation is necessary before bonding? And what adhesive do you recommend?
Our textured surface is designed specifically for bonding. Scuffing the surface with sandpaper is still recommended. If you wish to bond to the gloss or matte surface, scuffing with sandpaper is necessary. For bonding, any structural adhesive will work, provided the properties meet your desired specifications. Our recommendation is Scotch-weld 2216 epoxy adhesive.
How strong are DragonPlate® carbon fiber laminates?
Carbon fiber is substantially stiffer and stronger than aluminum or steel. Although the stiffness to weight and strength to weight ratios of carbon fiber are high, the true benefit of composites is realized when specialized core materials are placed between layers of carbon fiber. Further discussion on carbon fiber strength is given on the Technical page. An explanation of sandwich structure mechanics is given in the carbon fiber Birch Core summary.
What is the largest size of DragonPlate® carbon fiber laminate that I can purchase? Are custom sizes of DragonPlate® CF Laminate available?
The largest standard size is 48" x 96" (4' x 8') in veneer, .025 laminate and EconomyPlate™. Quasi-isotropic carbon sheets, birch plywood core, Balsa core, and foam core are available standard up to (24" x 48"). Honeycomb core sheets are available up to 24" x 36". For many of the flat sheet laminates, larger sizes are available on special order. Angles are available up to 8', and tubes up to either 4' or 8', depending on the geometry.
What does the finish look like?
DragonPlate® sheets come in a variety of finishes. See each product for options. We have created a comparison of DragonPlate® Finishes that can viewed on the website.
How do you recommend cutting DragonPlate® carbon fiber laminates? Is there any safety gear that I should use?
DragonPlate® carbon fiber laminates are pre-cut to the specified sizes or slightly oversized. The sheets are easily cut to final shape using a bandsaw, coping saw, drill, or dremmel tool. Recommended precautions include wearing safety glasses, a dust respirator, and protective clothing when cutting, sanding or drilling, to limit exposure to the dust, which is an irritant.
Why do you use core materials?
Sandwich core laminates are significantly stiffer than solid sheets of equal weight. Alternatively, one can produce a much lighter part with core materials than if solid carbon fiber materials are used. There are pros and cons to each type of core material, as well as applications which demand the use of solid carbon fiber without the addition of cores. Dragonplate® offers each of these options to cover the widest possible range of applications.
Are there temperature limitations for DragonPlate® carbon fiber?
Dragonplate® is intended as a structural material, and not for high-temperature applications, such as mufflers or engine parts. Carbon fiber itself is highly resistant to heat. A good example is the protective heat shield on the bottom of the U.S. Space Shuttle, which is comprised of specialized carbon tiles. However, the glass-transition temperature of the epoxies used in the manufacture of standard Dragonplate® is too low for these applications. The operational temperature for our epoxy is —75 to 140 degrees fahrenheit.
Is DragonPlate UV resistant?
Most of our products are created using UV resistant epoxies. Please contact us about the material you are interested in for more details.
What are the possible uses for DragonPlate® carbon fiber materials?
Please see the Applications page for summaries of some recent projects that used Dragonplate carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is an excellent material for applications where high stiffness, high strength, but low weight are critical.
Can I form DragonPlate® laminate by heating it, such as done with plexiglass?
No. Epoxy is not a thermo-formable.
Does Dragonplate® make after-market automobile and motorcycle parts?
No. Many other companies specialize in these types of carbon fiber parts. We focus on engineered components.
What does quasi-isotropic mean?
Quasi-isotropic refers to a layup of individual carbon fiber laminates such that the final composite material has approximately equal stiffness and strength properties in all directions. If only 0 and 90 degree carbon fiber layers are used, the laminate is cheaper to manufacture, but weak along the 45 degree diagonal. Dragonplate® utilizes 45-degree diagonal laminate layers to improve quasi-isotropy. For the majority of typical applications, quasi-isotropic carbon fiber has superior performance. For further discussion of this topic, please see the Carbon Fiber Sheets page.

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Engineering Services We are an innovative engineering firm, specializing in the design, analysis, prototyping and manufacture of parts and products made from carbon fiber composites. Learn More

Manufacturing Services We offer in-house design and manufacturing for your carbon fiber part, assembly or system. Learn More

CNC Cutting Services DragonPlate® has been CNC machining carbon fiber parts for our customers for many years. Learn More