Wet, Juicy, & Bladdery.

General Composites Discussions Composites Talk
#1

Well, gang. Here is a little video that I did on the lost art of the wet layup. No infusion to be seen. Just old school stuff. It’s not highly educational but might be enjoyable for some of you.

It’s a hollow molded part that is compacted and co-cured with a bladder. This part is 40" long and weighs 35 to 42 grams depending on the layup. The fiber volume fraction is around 60% (73% by weight). Feel free to ask questions after watching the video. I’m going to follow up this video with one showing the demolding.

http://vimeo.com/35648020

Here is the demolding video.

http://vimeo.com/37883424

#2

Thank you for this video. Very well made, and very entertaining. It makes the process clear.

If this is the economy version, I wonder what the pro version looks like. I guess it is more the labour price than materials price, right?

#3

Thanks.

The high performance version uses high modulus UD carbon and 1K carbon. The material cost is much higher and fiber processing during the layup is more challenging. It also uses more kevlar in the nose…which is a pain to cut. The front can’t be carbon because is blocks the modern 2.4 radio frequency with short antennas. It can be done but a radio safe nose is handy.

#4

Great video Adam!

#5

Great video and great work. Thanks

#6

1K carbon, then I understand…

#7

I saw the title and thought “Dammit, how’d the spammers get in again?”

Great video though, thanks for sharing!

#8

Thanks for the video.

Canyon, funny.

#9

hahahahahahah so funny!!!

Great Video Adam!!!

#10

Thanks, guys.

When I posted the title I thought it might get shut down. :smiley:

#11

I keep hoping the the 1K and 12K spread tow carbon prices would come down. I’ve heard news from some manufacturers some aren’t even going to produce 1K this year and a certain composite manufacturer is eating up all the 1K wovens. :frowning: It’s only going to get worse. $10,000 for a roll is just plain stupid.

#12

Yes, it is a really stupid price. 12K will not go down either, it seems.

#13

del .

#14

I finally got a chance to edit the demolding footage.

Here you go and this one is in HD.

Demolding of the Fuse

#15

Very nice work !

#16

Hey great video, love the low tech bladder such a great and cheap idea.

#17

Thanks for the compliments, guys.

I’ve found this bladder technique to be superior to any other that I’ve tried. Bladders that stretch can cause a lot of cosmetic issues with corners and contour transitions. Bladders that are molded to the right shape are bulky and get in the way of the co-cured seaming. Doing the layup on a firm bladder of silicon or latex traps air between the mold and the layup and is very prone to pinholes and bubbles. I’ve found that this technique delivers the most reliable product. It packs away tightly but yet doesn’t stretch.

#18

Nice work Adam. I wonder if this technique would work well in say a 3"OD tube ? I’ll have to try and see. Are you actually making the pattern from 2x of the parts flat dimension or is there some reduction ?

#19

The technique would work nicely with a 3" tube. This is how I make whitewater paddle shafts.

I make “fitted” bladders by measuring the circumference of the plug at various station lines and dividing the circumference by 2. For tubes its often easier to purchase poly tubing and just tie or doctor the ends of the tube.

The major downside to bladder molding is that I requires strong rigid molds. The more the surface area the more strength and stiffness is required. The keying of the molds is also very important for long term uses. All my bladder molds use a full length key that also doubles as a resin trap.

#20

Sick video…good info