First part mold time

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Ok guys this will be the first part that I want to make out of composite. The pic below is not the exact part but it looks like this one just a different style and in good shape. I plan to make a glass mold chopped glass about 8 layers using poly resin the part its self will be glass with epoxy resin at first to test everything out then carbon and epoxy once I get the system working.

Any thoughts?

Mark44

#2

I’d start you out doing a simple flat plate molding in my former composites classroom…

Too many start out with a to tough of a first part, get frustated and say “Pooye” to this stuff…

#3

The actual part that I am going to do is flat. It looks some what like the pic but doesn’t have those holes or is as high I will post a pic of it next week when I receive it it is very simple.

Mark44

#4

Hi mark :slight_smile:

I have to agree with Werksberg, for a first time mold… that part, even without holes, is gonna be a pain and may really turn you off to composites. See it is a medium size part and is 3 dimensional.
Start off with something really “ridiculously simple”. No one is saying you can’t do more complicated molds, but try something smaller and simpler, it will build your skills :slight_smile: At least that would be my personal advice.

#5

ok ok we are looking around for something and we still have to order material. :slight_smile:

I will post pics of the part that is similar to this when I get it next week to see what you think.

THANKS!

Mark44

#6

I recently started to work with composites myself. If you havent done anything before and want to do carbon fiber stuff for a motorbike i suggest doing frame\swingarm protectors, or some brackets. I managed to ruin a simple bracket plug twice, and i am now on my third try, which seems to come out perfect. I suggest investing in some books aswell, I just got my copy of Competition Car Composites and it really helped me alot. It explains everything a Do it yourself kinda guy needs to know. Dry\Wet layup, Prepregs, Moldmaking, Modelmaking etc… and even teaches how to produce parts for selling plus theres a cool chapter about how its done in formula one.

#7

great thanks! I have a lot of experience with glass but this will be my first try with the infusion.

#8

Sorry posted the pics in the wrong thread.

The first part I want to experiment and practice with looks like this do you think?

Mark44

#9

The pictures are a bit small, but from what i can see it looks great :slight_smile: BTW, i have just ruined my mold for the third bloody time.
I used a spray can lacquer to finish the mold surface, and it caused a reaction and it started melting :frowning:
Since i have made all the possible mistakes, i believe my 4th try will come out good.

#10

If you want to keep the part that curves back under you may need a 2-piece mold. I highly recommend against this for a first time.

#11

agreed not planning a 2 part mold at this time, I do know this part was not a two piece mold.

#12

keep me informed how it turnes out.

Mark44

#13

It doesn’t seem like you NEED a 2 part mold. You can slide the part out the back way. WIll need to be trimmed off alot, but that is normal anyways!

#14

Here is a pic of another nose piece from the back side notice the edge that is sitting on the floor it is extra thick this is where a mounting hole gets drilled through the parts how would I go about building that area up? Sorry for all the newbie questions.

Mark44

#15

I would build that up after the “skin” has been made, maybe dam it off and add some resin mixed with chopped fibers. Does it need to be that thick?

#16

Yes it is a mounting point but it doesn’t need to be that wide, I was even thinking about cutting a piece of fiber glass stock and epoxy it in that location.

This forum has been a great help and I have not even created the mold yet just trying to get my ducks in a row before I start.

Mark44

#17

You can machine a block of G10 (fiberglass blocks) and adhere that to the spot, then add a layer or 2 of fabric over it to hold it in place well.

#18

Mounting ring on the back of a parabolic dish. We used blocks of G10 material, and bonded it in with more carbon.

#19

GREAT of I understand that is exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks!
Mark44

#20

Going to start a mold of this soon what kind of board should I use to lay this part up on I read someone uses laminated boards like for shelving that you get at Home Depot?

Thanks,
Mark44