Vacuum bagging weird shapes

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#1

What happens when a part is a weird shape? also, what happens where there are bolts molding it together b/c its a 2,3,4 piece mold?

What i mean by a wierd shape is, lets say the part if you look at it from above it would look like a big U, but then when u look at it from the inside facing you, there are 2 pieces coming up from the bottom up and are 4" up. i will try my best to take a pic but im very afraid of showing my molds =(

if you can understand what im talking about, ill try to also photoshop something.

#2

Weird shapes require lots of pleats. Strechable film helps. If the shape is really complex, silicone forms can be used the force reinforcements into corners.

#3

Yeah i use silicone female molds for some parts. thanx for the help. i hope to hear and see other peoples results.

#4

why would you be afraid of showing your molds?

this is a place for everyone to share and learn.

sounds like a motorcycle front fender

#5

I make motorcycle fairings. Im trying to do a Race upper fairing. And why is it secretive? well, the way i make my molds are a bit secretive in itself. but, at this point i cant care b/c i need help =)

#6

good luck with that…there are so many in that business now its almost impossible to make a buck on it.

Cheetah Jeremy can tell you how they do it…you can get a whole race kit from them for 500 or less…I cant see how anyone doing it for more than fun would make any money on that.

Figure your molds costing 2G’s for time and material and you have to sell no less than 4 sets to make that money back, then your materials and time on those…

Youd need to sell ten roughly to break even and start generating a profit.