Vacuum

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

I’m looking to start vacuum bagging but have no previous experience. The concepts look simple but I dont know where to begin buying equipment.

Does any one have recommendations where I can buy a good set up?

#2

Sent you a PM.

#3

Thanks for the info on infusion but more mass production i feel as though vacuum bagging would be a better option to keep time and cost down

#4

You could start simple with an old pump (craigslist) and some bagging film, sealant tape, perforated film and bleeder. That is the bare minimum. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand with peelply, some neat hoses, a resin trap, a pump that can be regulated, etc.

#5

Look at West System website for material and guides on vacuum bagging basics

#6

Is the perforated film and bleeder nessecary? The corners of the carbon fiber hang over the edge of the mold. Would that work to absorb the extra epoxy?

I don’t want to cut corners but i make 20-30 pieces a day and time adds up quite fast over that many molds.

#7

There is a saying:

If you do not have the time to do it right, where do you find time to do it over?

You can save some time by spray gluing perforated film to bleeder. But no, there is no substitute.

Also: check www.airtech.lu

#8

Usually, what you don’t trim in the mold with layers still wet, you have to trim later when laminate has cured…so time savings could be questionable.

“Is the perforated film and bleeder nessecary?”….if not, what do you place above the laminate ? breather and vacuum bag only ? or vacuum bag only ? In the first case, if you don’t separate wet laminate from breather, this will absorb resin until, maybe, you laminate will become partially dry. In the second case, without breather it will be hard to have uniform vacuum on laminate (unless you have small pieces)…….

My opinion: since you are making experience :confused:,test all cases described above with small samples and see what happens…this way is worth more than a lot of words.:smile:

#9

I dont know the part your making but perhaps RTM, or LRTM would be a good direction to go in for those volume numbers a day.

#10

yes better to do it right the first time. I have looked into RTM but its quite costly, maybe down the road it would be a good option

I ordered supplies today and i’m going to see how it works!