optimizing fabric saturation

[Hill]

New to the forum. I’ve searched a good bit today, but don’t see anything that relates really well to my applications. A little background…I’m involved in producing fiber reinforced cylinders; varying in size. The laminate is bonded to a core. The fabric is applied dry and saturated via surface resin (epoxy). That is, the resin is applied separately atop the core surface as the fabric is wound around the cylinder. I am working on a project to reduce the amount of waste in our process. This includes resin reduction and overmass reduction as our products are diameter dependent. Any ideas (process improvements included) or equations relevant to optimizing fabric saturation would be greatly appreciated?

Thank you!

[Worldwealth]

New to the forum. I’ve searched a good bit today, but don’t see anything that relates really well to my applications. A little background…I’m involved in producing fiber reinforced cylinders; varying in size. The laminate is bonded to a core. The fabric is applied dry and saturated via surface resin (epoxy). That is, the resin is applied separately atop the core surface. I am working on a project to reduce the amount of waste in our process. This includes resin reduction and overmass reduction as our products are diameter dependent. Any ideas (process improvements included) or equations relevant to optimizing fabric saturation would be greatly appreciated?

Thank you!

Welcome! A few clarifications to better see what your working on here…

1. You mention “cylinders”…as in Tube/pipe or custom forms ?
   2)-Process? Vacuum bagging after wet-out or ?
   3)-Bonded to core…with what ? Spray adhesive, wrapped ??

[Hill]

Thank you!

1. Custom process
2. No vacuum bagging. Fabric is applied under tension, gelled, cured
   3)Adhesive, then wrapped

[Worldwealth]

Thank you!

1. Custom process
2. No vacuum bagging. Fabric is applied under tension, gelled, cured
   3)Adhesive, then wrapped

SO your currently doing a wet lay-up then wrapping under tension with tapes etc ?

Without a picture to view the final part its hard to advise further. But it sounds like you’ll need to step up your game with a clamshell mold-(two part) and a pnuematic bladder.