by way of introduction

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Considering how many people there are in the world intimately involved in ‘composites’, I am surprised how little there is in the way of open discussion on the subject - perhaps folk are just too frightened that someone might steal their ideas?

Anyway, I have spent the last 6 years developing a new open-water rowing catamaran which stretches some aspects of advanced composites technology. All the composite components are made by VARI using epoxy in closed moulds - have a look here if you’re interested.

I will now browse previous posts and see what other members do …

atb … Christopher

#2

I agree. Their is always a worry of ideas leaking and everyone has their own secret way of doing something that they don’t want to share.

#3

VERY impressive. It is nice to see someone thinking outside the box and actually sharing his ideas.

I am currently doing repairs to a couple of 8+ rowing shells for one of our local universities. I am slowly learning about the art of rowing.

How do you shape and seal the inner bag? I assume you pull vacuum on the laminate material and apply positive pressure on the bag itself. Is this a correct assumption? Also what is the bag made out of?

#4

dual twin … “Their is always a worry of ideas leaking and everyone has their own secret way of doing something that they don’t want to share.” I SO disagree with this philosophy, which seems to be a particularly American paranoia, because it strangles the development of a new technology. Unless you have a direct competitor who could benefit from your knowledge, sharing what you’ve found out can help others to move forward. Then, if it is a truly reciprocal thing, the technology can advance much more quickly.

Puck … "How do you shape and seal the inner bag? "
I use tubular bag, and a standard ‘bag sealer’ to seal the ends.
“I assume you pull vacuum on the laminate material and apply positive pressure on the bag itself.” - just so; it took a while to find the correct balance of vac and pressure, but it works very well. The bag is regular ‘bag film’ tube produced by the likes of Aerovac.

atb … Christopher

#5

dual twin … I’ve just had a look at your website, and here’s a good example of what I was talking about - I would suggest you have a close look at using ‘closed moulds’ in your production. Producing the second skin takes a little longer up front, but the moulding process is then SO much easier and quicker, and you have no wasted ‘consumables’.

But then I shouldn’t be telling you that because it might enable you to make better rowing boats than me :slight_smile:

atb … Christopher