B model Nose Rib Bull Nose Flange

[Wyo Johnson]

I noticed the new factory nose ribs have a flange over the entire edge of the rib (bullnose included). Has anyone had any luck/trouble hand forming something similar? I looked at some of my old sheet metal forming books and it looks to be possible by reducing the width of the flange (1/4") in the area of the bullnose, Just wondering if anybody has tried it.

Andy
1423B

[way_up_north]

I noticed the new factory nose ribs have a flange over the entire edge of the rib (bullnose included). Has anyone had any luck/trouble hand forming something similar? I looked at some of my old sheet metal forming books and it looks to be possible by reducing the width of the flange (1/4") in the area of the bullnose, Just wondering if anybody has tried it.

Andy
1423B

Keep in mind ... there is nothing wrong with the ribs as they are now...it’s a preference thing...

I’m on the road right now so I can’t post images.. Im making my ribs that way...planing on doing that before the factory released those photos...basically duplicating what other kitplanes have been doing.... zen air...vans...ect

ill post pictures of a zen air plans page with the flange you’re refering too... so you can see what that sort of rib blank will look like ...but I’m no plane designer ... pls pass any changes by Bob

[way_up_north]

D73A7522-B403-47E8-98F9-E921513BDB07.jpeg

any change could effect other things, so pls talk to Bob if you consider doing this....

There is not that much to it...this is in metric so that 3 is 3mm(the aluminum over hangs the form block 3mm there before you bend it)...the doted line is the form block shape...the solid line is the shape of the flat aluminum blank before you bend it...I was planing on doing a little larger maybe 4 or 5mm...but with the form block radius..3mm might be ok...Im doing some other modifications to my wing build so i have to do some planing before I start...ill post some pictures once I get going...

The photo is from the Zenith CH-640(4 place) ...The CH-2000 Alarus a certified aircraft that Zenith built in the 1990s uses the exact same rib...

This video features a builder forming the bull nose of the rib....The rib in the video has the nose shape different then shown in the plans above,,it looks more like the factory ribs...,its up to you decide your route to do this....

[Wyo Johnson]

Hey thanks,

I'm familiar with hand forming, I was just wondering on the Bearhawk specific rib if anyone had run into problems...

Andy