AerE 423
Ehrich Rodgers and Nick Williams
Background
-Golf shafts provide a way for the golfer to generate
force on the golf ball
-To do this the golfer’s hands provide a force on one
end while the golf ball provides a force on the other
end
-The dimensions below are common among clubs that
conform with USGA rules, specifically a driver
Preliminary Analysis
-The composite golf shaft is modeled as a cantilever
beam with a circular cross-section
-The model uses a conservative cross-sectional radius
that is equal to the average of the butt radius and tip
radius.
FMAX
L = 35 in
-Design criteria for FMAX = 4000 lbs
Manufacturing
1. Construct a mold
2. Laid 9 layers fiberglass onto mold
3. Laid 1 layer a carbon fiber on top of fiberglass
4. Apply epoxy to outside
5. Lay out to cure
Manufacturing
1. Construct a mold
Manufacturing
2. Laid 9 layers of fiberglass onto mold
3. Laid 1 layer of carbon fiber onto fiberglass
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
4. Apply epoxy to outside
Manufacturing
5. Lay out to cure
Testing
 Test for bending stiffness and vibration
 Test for maximum bending moment (failure)
Future Considerations
 Find a better way to lay the fibers around the mold
 Use pre-preg and a larger autoclave to cure