Spray on vac bag

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Last week a sales man tried to sell me this product from Smooth-On called spray on vac bag. Silicone based and reusable. It looks very impressive and has a whole list of advantages. But it’s damn expensive in South Africa it’s like $400 for a canister, and then you still need a special tool to apply it. The tool looks like a gun from a sci fi movie. Can you justify it if you work out of your own garage making parts as a hobby?
Anyone worked with it to give some feedback?

check out the link:
http://www.smooth-on.com/Vacuum-Bagging/c1334/index.html

#2

I’ve worked with it, the gun was around $680.00 bucks I think, it does as advertised…our only issue was having silicone in the shop, we worked with it off-site but we also have a spray booth and do some part painting and clearing so the idea of using this on a continual basis for every mould built become an issue.

Production runs make it viable, DIY from home, it is over-kill in my opinion.

#3

I did quite some calculation on the stuff. It saves labour, although not as much as claimed.

Depending on the complexity of the mould it can work cost effectively or not. However, do not expect more than 50 or so demouldings, before you need to make a new bag.

at this moment, counting all, I would opt for normal bagging film. Especially if you can precut and kit bagging kits beforehand.

#4

Why don’t you use a cured silicone sheet?

How concave is your mold?

Lockheed martin didn’t like the spray bag silicone.

#5

my current mold is practically flat, so im not even considdering it. i think its a very exspensive gimmick. one of the only advantages i see with it is that its not as time consuming as traditional vac bag and tacky tape. but i have to use 1000’s of yards of vac bag and tacky tape to consume a $1000. so i guess the traditional way is the more viable way. thanks guys.

#6

the most important part to a reusable bag is the sealing method.

#7

if the part is VERY complex and you can see a $ gain in using it, then use it. For flat parts, Bondline makes a quick seal system using flat silicone sheets. I think you can get near-net shape sheets as well. Clamping and everything you need is from them.

#8

A buck a yard? Where are you getting your bags and tacky tape?

#9

How big is your tool ??? size ???

#10

He is from South Africa, he must have a large tool:

http://www.emailjokez.com/text-jokes-links/more/43250_PG13-Condoms-in-New-Zealand.htm

#11

Hi, Look at Wacker silicon website, they have liquid silicon for brush application… Very easy to use and cheaper…