Hey guys , what is your method for connecting hoses both vacuum and resin.
I tried 1. ‘T’ fittings , 2. valves positioned under bag and 3. simply hoses wrapped with tacky tape.
I know valves not always give 100% seal
t fittings are little hard to be properly sealed
wrapped hoses sometimes get sucked under bag and a leak occurs
So what is your way? Im looking for good seal and ease of use
For smaller parts I always preferred to go through the sealant line, wrapping sealant tape around the hose. Always put a small “dart”(Pleat) at each. You can see in the photo I attached. Bigger ones you may need to change your strategy depending on the situation.
I prefer not to go through the edge with a tube so I usualy use the t-fittings with a hole cut through the bag. The Ts can be a pain but generally are good seals if you’re careful.
I have used the yellow sealant tape, I believe it’s the cheaper tape. But I’ve had chance to use the brown tape and prefer it’s extra sticky-ness. On a glass table it sticks like a son of a gun.
If I have parts that are being a pain for a good seal I"ll go ahead and double bag for the extra vacuum integrity.
I’ve seen a few other types of through bag connectors but, I’ve thought it might be good to make a 3d printed valve for this specifically and cast copies. I think when I return to any large scale infusing I’d spend the time to find a better solution.
I feel there’s no “professional” way for connecting it. and in my opinion many leaks come out from connectors
Yah I agree the connectors are usually the culprits… professional way? You mean like a dedicated connector of sorts? I’ve seen some before but never bought any. THat’s what makes me wanna make my own.
cutting the bag to put connectors in is always my last way of doing it. The chance of leaks is much higher and its a pain in the ass. But sometimes you have no choice such as parts that need to be infused deep in the bottom of a part, or just very large parts that need several inlets.
I use tee fitting which I wrap the “leg” with tacky tape before putting into the bag. I then stretch the bag tight over the end of the leg and punch a hole into the bag and slide it down over the leg to seal on the tape, then I wrap another piece of tape over the leg sticking out the bag. I haven’t had any leaks once I perfected the technique.
Sounds simple and good idea to tape the leg under and above bag
Never had a problem with wrapping the tube in tacky, and placing it on the main tackytape flange. I add a short piece on top of it, to even out where the bag will stick. I have done vacuum lines for prepreg using solid tubes with connectors for QC fittings. Open end was a long spring, and wrapped in breather/glass. I wrapped tacky around the tube, and put them in the pleats. Makeing sure there was breather connecting the vetn tube to the part.
With the airtech cones is fairly easy and convenient, and have never had a leak (wich I knew of)
Jigger does this airtech stuff give solid connection? because hoses are stiff and when connection is not strong its easy to get leak by touching stiff hose
I have used something similar, a cnc’d piece of (pvc) foam cone, with some resin channels on the underside. Cheap, no imprint, and easy. Never had troubles with leaks, a small cut and some tacky tape is enough. If anyone is interested I can draw up a 3d file sometime.
I have only used the enka flow as a resin flow medium so there are no hoses inside the bag.
Only the plastic T fittings in bag and also slotted into the enka flow casing.
Pull a vacuum over the T legs then wrap the bagged leg part with bag tape.
Quickly puncture a hole through the bag into the T piece and push the hose onto the T straight away.