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muxiamandy
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Hi everyone, I am new to this forum; first I would like to say thank you for easycomposites and talkcomposites for all the tips and ideas you have shared. Now, I want to make a mould for this blade. I am not sure where to put the parting line; and if I should make a 2,or 3 part mould.
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brainfart
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Two molds for the blade, three molds for the bottom attachment thing. MAYBE this can be reduced to 4 molds, hard to say without checking all the angles on the actual part.
What kind of blade is that? Water turbine?
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muxiamandy
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Group: Forum Members
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I casted the pattern using a turbine blade, half of the base has been left out though; the base should continue onto another ripple if you see what I mean.
Joining the blade and it's base could be a problem I am thinking, Because from your suggestion, I am thinking of two parts with a flange at its bottom (like an L thing), then making the base by splitting it in the middle in the direction of the length of the blade? Sorry i hope I am making sense. I'll end up with another 3 parts like a T......; how about the width/space which is between the blade and the base?
Both side of the base are almost the same.
I have attached both sides of the base |
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brainfart
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That is a pretty complex part.
What do you want to do with the mold? Laying up some fabric and resin, or simply cast a replica with some casting resin?
If you want to do the latter I'd consider making a silicone mold, if it is the former then the next question is are you planning to do the base and blade separately and then join them?
Is this just some decorative item, or are you planning to use it for something?
This is a turbine compressor blade, right?
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brainfart
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Oh yeah you said so already.
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muxiamandy
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Group: Forum Members
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In any case, I will have to join the moulds together. It is a part that has been lying around for awhile in my lab and and I have taken it as a project. I did not know much about casting and all that so I will say that I am learning as I go. I am planning to make the part using glass and carbon.
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Hanaldo
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Pretty complex part for a fibreglass mould. Certainly doable, but it's going to be a lot of pieces. And when it comes to making the final part, if you aren't using pre-preg then you're going to have to lay them up separately. Which means bonding all the pieces together after they have cured. If it is just a project for learning then go for it, you'll learn a lot. But if you intend to use it for something that places it under anything more than very low loads, then it may be quite weak. As for how to make the mould, I think brainfart is on the money. 2 parts for the blade, 3 parts for the base, perhaps 2 if the angles permit. If we are on the same page then I think you understand where to put the barriers, but I'm a little confused as to what "space between the blade and the base" you are talking about. I'll try to draw a quick picture as to how I would flange it.
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Hanaldo
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Going off your pictures, this is how I would do it. Can't see any reason to do the base in 3 parts having looked at it closer, but might depend on the surface area of those opposing sides.  ttps://fbcdn-photos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/10352321_10152267809997541_3937004721815063716_n.jpg?oh=1a32911a4aa39a6a12b9d7e8a6c8367e&oe=54D04457&__gda__=1417842497_8a22fc4aec3928d4d6d4fe662f1aa3bd">
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muxiamandy
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Group: Forum Members
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Can you please reattached your pictures Hanaldo? I can't seem to download them. My computer is blocking both pictures.
My first idea was to use wet lay up and vaccum bagging to go around bonding all the pieces separately. I am hoping that it would work.
By "space between the blade and the base", I meant the junction between the end of the blade and the beginning of the rectangular base. I have attached a picture. Although now that I am looking at the pattern again, There might not be a problem to mould that space..
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Hanaldo
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Group: Forum Members
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Ah dammit. I hate trying to do this stuff from my phone. I'll fix the links as soon as I can get to a laptop mate. That space won't be an issue, you mould that with the blade. So out your barriers on the edge of the base. When I fix my drawings you'll hopefully see what I mean. Unless this object is bigger than it looks, you will struggle to vac bag it. Reason being, the blade gets so tight towards the end that you wont be able to get in there with the two halves bolted together. A silicone mandrel is an option there.
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