Hey folks - Have a lay-up tool in one area of the factory that we lay-up and de-bulk on prior to transfer to the cure tool in another area which improves overall quality. Parts are made of pre-preg and have relatively tight curvature. Im looking for any tips on removing the de-bulked pre-form prior to transfer to the cure tool to minimise distortion (of the pre-form during removal) if anyone has any?
PTFE release? Anything else? Thanks
Maybe just use a light release film which would come off with the pre form. Then just pull the release film away before placing in your cure tool.
Was thinking on that but wrinkles are likely to be a problem . May just have to rip it off!!
When you use the very light release films the wrinkles just don’t matter.
At one place I worked we used to intentionally crumple the film sheet into a ball in your hands, then pull it open a bit and it is like an elastic sheet that can conform to any shape. This was done for debulking and cured parts but the wrinkles were so fine and just didn’t matter.
Not that you need or should do the same but it seems if it is the very light stuff then the wrinkles just may not be any problem.
Note that you need the right type of film that releases ok off uncured pre preg without tearing up etc.
Thought everyone pre crumpled release its pretty much standard practice
Things like that we normally throw in the freezer for a couple of hours,almost like popping a cured part off then when its frozen
That may be the best option alright thanks. Used the freezer in the past for really tricky sections but trying to avoid another time consuming step if you know what I mean Rob.
thanks again
Its not time consuming if you can manage it right thou
Do your pre form first an throw it in the freezer then do the rest of the work up to that point,by then your preform should be nicely frozen
depending on the shape of your preform, you can slip a mylar bladder over the preform until it’s taut and has no wrinkles. The preform will slide out of the mylar easily, then you just roll up the mylar like a candy wrapper and it comes away from the inside of the prepreg shape no problem.