Composite Golf Shaft

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.

L = 35 in

FMAX

-Design criteria for FMAX = 4000 lbs

Manufacturing1. 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

Manufacturing1. Construct a mold

Manufacturing2. Laid 9 layers of fiberglass onto mold

3. Laid 1 layer of carbon fiber onto fiberglass

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Manufacturing4. Apply epoxy to outside

Manufacturing5. Lay out to cure

TestingTest for bending stiffness and vibrationTest for maximum bending moment (failure)

Future ConsiderationsFind a better way to lay the fibers around the moldUse pre-preg and a larger autoclave to cure