Overlay on a piece of paintball equipment

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Posted this at FibreGlast, but was informed about this site instead, so I’ll give it a go :slight_smile:

This is the thing I want to do an overlay on, using carbon-kevlar hybrid: http://www.paintball-paradise.com/evlution2_big.jpg
I thought it wold be cool to use blue or red hybrids, but I need some advice on how to make the mold, and out of what… As far as I’ve seen, Aquacore looks neat, but thats out of my reach, since no local companies have this. I’ve read something about polyeurythane or something, but I’m not sure what material this is, if it’s highly moldable or anything…
However, the thing with this equipment (which by the way is a loader)
is that it has several taps and screws inside, and I need to copy these as well…
As an additional information, I will probably make several clones from the same mold, so it might be re-usable…:slight_smile:

I assume there are a lot of ways to do this, so please give me your suggestions :slight_smile:
I’m fearly new to this, have just read a few articles and such, and are currently waiting for the Forbes book about composites and fiberglass and a sample pack from Fibre Glast…

#2

That object was probally injected mold 2 halfs and glue together. I doubt you would ever reproduce it in carbon fiber.

Overlays is just that, over laying the original part (I doubt it ie possible as it looks like PE plastics and resin do not stick to it), so you don’t need a MOLD.

To make a part that is all Carbon fiber, then you need a plug to make a mold and the mold to make the part.

#3

Man that looks complicated. I’ll second what GGROP said.

#4

if you had a scrap one to practise on…though i doubt resin would stick to it as mentioned :frowning:

#5

Oceana,

You’re saying overlay, yet you want to make the mold. Perhaps you’re a little bit confused on the terms? I’m not sure what it is that you want to do exactly.

#6

Are these screws used to hold two halfs together or do they serve a purpose other than that? It would be fairly easy to make the outside of the loader but duplicating what’s on the inside would be quite difficult.

#7

Evan, you’re probably right, enlighten me please :slight_smile:

The shell consists of two parts screwed together.
I guess I could use some of the internal parts to put inside a new shell made out of carbon fiber, but if anyone have any suggestion on how to do it otherwise, please tell :slight_smile:

btw; as seen in the picture; I just want to make a duplicate of the black pieces, not the clear ones…

#8

could you take it apart and show us more pics of the parts,mostly the insides?

#9

I’ll try getting some more pics, but I don’t have it nearby, as I am serving my military service-shit now…:confused:

Found one:
http://www.eaglepaintball.com/evolution_schem.htm
On this one you can see how the internals look like, however, most of them will probably be copied from the original loader…
If overlay / layover of the original piece is an easy way to go, I might try that as well…
Otherwise, I would like to attempt making a plug and thereafter a mold…
Please notice, I haven’t been into this things before, so tell me if you think I’m in totaly over my head…

#10

I don’t think you will be able to make everything on the inside unless you have $$$.

#11

Too bad the pic isn’t a bit bigger, would be easier to see what I’ll make myself… but anyway, Since the exterior is the most important thing, any suggestions on how to make this look good, when doing an overlay?