how do you make hollow parts?

something like a spoiler side part - http://www.japanvehicles.com/newcars/mitsubishi/Evo8/evo8/rearspo.jpg
i understand no problem about making it as a two part mold and that you would cut the two halves in the green stage,bolt the 2 molds 2gether but how on earth do you apply tape to the joint inside if its impossible to get to??
this is one thing i dont understand and would open up a lot of oppurtunities for me if i could learn to do this. :slight_smile:
im thinking its got something to do with either lost foam or a bladder but i dont see how you could apply the tape and resin.

The carbon fiber section is probably glued to the outer piece. The outer piece is probably made as one unit with both sides. The carbon fiber piece then gets glued on.

sorry,i didntmean that exact part,i just meant in general how do you make hollow parts,maybe a ball as an example?

Pour cat. resin into one half of the mold, clamp the two together and rotational (2 directions) rotate the mold until resin cures?

Pouring resin inside isn’t the best way because you still have a break in the fibers. This really depends on whether the part is structual or not.

The best way to make any hollow part is to use an air bladder. You can also compress a foam core with the mold, but that’s more tricky. A friend of mine built an all composite bicycle wheel many years ago for the ME senior project. The only metal part was the quick release skewer. The ball bearings were ceramic. He used latex bicycle inner tubes to inflate the carbon/kevlar around the fully enclosed mold. The tube was pulled out through on of the openings for the spokes. Latex works better than the butyl tubes because you can buy latex emulsions to join the tubes and seal the ends.

ok,for a totally decorative part would the resin itself hold it together? im thinking of making a small ball just for the sake of it and to show off with :slight_smile:
with the parts like the spoiler ends there would be some holes in it so i guess i could get a bladder in there and expand that with the whole thing inside a 2 part male mold but that still wouldnt get any fibre on the join would it? there must be an easy way lol :slight_smile:

You would need a fully enclosed 2 part female mold with an opening for the ai bladder. You would lay all the fabric up on one side of the mold, cover and inflate.

A ball would be pretty much impossible to make in one shot. I would make a mold of half the ball with a flange going inward. Then glue the two halves together.

hmmm,i might have a go just for a laugh,see what it comes out like :slight_smile: i’ll be sure to show you all dont worry :slight_smile: and if i find an easier way then…