How are these two fabrics laid up against each other so cleanly? Is one edge on top of the other?
And more importantly, how do you prep them so that they’re not frayed, etc? Spray the backside with Super 77 or something,
let tack, and then cut?
Thanks,
O
That is woven carbon & kevlar together material or a hybrid cloth.
Hmm, take a look at the photo again Werksberg. I think there apears to be some type of carbon only twill around the edges and inbetween the countours. Unless that too is hybrid yellow-black that has been tinted all black in certain areas. ?
I like that the weave pattern of that particular hybrid cloth… very nice.
edited. double posted.
the yellow stuff is mst definitely yellow carbon kevlar…the surrounding part is a basket weave (think its called?) carbon, not just normal twill or 5hs. If you look closely in the corners on the right hand side, it looks like the yellow bars have been glued in by some means and started as 5 pieces rather than 1…thats just my opinion.
On a semi-related topic…how to you line up fabrics so you go from 45 to -45 degrees with a perfect seam?
So far, I’ve heard of people using a spray adhesive to attach cloth to wax paper or sticker-backing material and then cutting. Or, spraying with a tack adhesive and cutting.
I tried the latter tonite and got a nice straight cut.
So…are the two fabrics butted or overlapped? And are they hard to work with?
it is dual twill kevlar and plain weave carbon together. I took that pic at sema last year. It was a E46 M3. I really don’t know how they did that particular fabic together
I’d say the hybrid is the first layer, and then the sides of carbon are placed ontop, whether or not it’s trimmed to hybrid or not, who knows besides the maker. Same results. one is just harder to do!
as for the edges. NO idea. Maybe spray the kevlar, and lay down a scrim layer, then cut?? does that stuff hold solid? if so, it wouldn’t add any real weight to the piece, and act like a backing to cut it out without frays?
It really is that easy but make sure you spray both sides and let it dry for a bit. I even cut round holes with a hole punch and hammer. In order to keep the weave straight on this cambelt cover i punced a 32mm hole where you can see the fixing recess.
The pic shows a matt carbon finish
Baz
And one more this time six holes. Look how close to the edge the fixing holes are and no distortion. Once again a matt finish to the carbon.
Baz
hole puncher!? lol how big is this hole puncher. custom made?
So say you are laying up a piece that is split down the middle… the carbon weave is angled at 45 on the left portion, and then miror angled at 45 degrees on the right portion.
You can spray glue the fabric to wax paper, then cut the fabric with zero weave distortion or fraying of the edges? Remember… those two cut edges will be seen, as they are the first fabric layer into the mold.
I’ve seen automobile hoods done using multiple types of cloth. They had mice straight lines between weave cuts.
I may do something like this later on down the line once i get more experienced… probably at least 6 months down the road.
Also another question that i am sure will be helpful to other composites newbies: Will overlapping carbon fiber twill, 5.9 oz, on the first layer in the mold cause print thru that will be seen in the finished product?
The cam cover has a 32mm hole and the plug cover has 6 x 16mm holes. All made using a standard leather hole punch, carbon laid on paper which is on top of a sheet of 12mm ply. You will have to use a heat gun to release the carbon from the paper around the hole area. A perfect hole with no fraying enablling you to keep the weave straight around those tricky recessed hole areas.
Baz
That’s awesome Baz! No fraying or anything too!
How do you get the matte finish? I like!
Fastrr,
"You can spray glue the fabric to wax paper, then cut the fabric with zero weave distortion or fraying of the edges? Remember… those two cut edges will be seen, as they are the first fabric layer into the mold. "
I’m guessing this is one of the methods. It’s harder than it sounds though! Too much spray and you get no saturation, and too little spray, you distort the weave. Helps to have a nice sharp blade too. Maybe if Infuzene is used the too much spray won’t be a problem as the stuff is supposed to dissolve.
Also, I don’t know if the two layers are butted or slightly overlapped (which should hide the edges better). Maybe some of the pros can share their secrets:D
Looking at the picture again, those edges at the hybrid cloth look pretty rough…
Baz, nevermind, saw your other post on the paint you used.
I would guess it is pre-preg. The carbon around the edge makes it easier to trim without getting the “fuzzies” from the hybrid.
so once cut how do you release the carbon off of the wax paper and onto the mold?
Looking closely at this particular image…I’m going to say that this is a ones piece layer…that has a masked framework that has been re topcoated with tinted clear. Then unmasked for a full topcoat clear again.
NOT as we thought as multi piece layers.
Just my opinion…Vinny
Vinny, that sounds pretty likely actually! To me, it would seem to be the easiest way.