I have done it many times and it works well. The only thing I didn't like is that the feed line where it contacted the center of the part left a slight impression. Being a perfect cosmetic carbon fiber look was what I was after I now infuse across the part left to right.

Fred  

I will watch for that but I don't think so, I was nowhere near the potlife and was still liquid in the feed tube.

Not sure I really understand why a flexing panel would make a difference if the stack and vacuum is directly on the panel but thanks for the tip, I wll watch carefully on the next try.

Thanks guys, I will watch all those points about flexing and part gelling. I never thought of feeding in the centre and polling vac through an all round spiral, threr could be merit in that, Anyone tried it??

Thanks, I will watch for that

Just my two cents worth. Is there a chance that your resin gelled in the feed line spiral before it could infuse that corner?

Fred

The issue may not be the feed spiral, it may be the surface you are using. How thick is the ally sheet and how is it fixed to the bench? when you pull vac the sheet can lift/bend very slightly leaving a void between the CF and the mould surface. The resin will not flow into this void leaving a dry patch. I have had the same issue when trying to use a 3 mm sheet of glass for flat sheet.

Thanks. I will give twin feeds a go. I am rescuing the panel by wetting through onto waxed glass and compressing with anothe peelply and glass sandwich. it will take some careful flatting and poilishing but might work.

Hi,

Thanks. They've very helpful. The finish looks supurb; what a shame it didn't get to the far corner.

Would this have worked better if I had two infusion points spaced along the top (longest) curved side ? I could use a single pot with 'y' feed and two clamps? what do you think?                                                

Yes, definately. I didn't suggest it because I didn't think it would be a problem but I guess sometimes there can be a little trial and error involved. Two connectors equally spaced down that long edge, feeding into the spiral, would certainly help. I'm still suprised it didn't get there but it's a long way for the spiral to take the resin and clearly in this case it was too long.

--Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales

I had actually demoulded before seeing your reply. However these may help.  377 is the finish I am getting. 374 shows the dry area from the peelply side. 375 shows the scale of the thing, it's 1.9 metres long, it also shows my layup table, aluminium 2.5 x 1.1 m. It's heated from underneath by the way and maintains 24 celsius all the time with insulation fibre on top. The infusion spiral went right into but not past the top left corner.

Would this have worked better if I had two infusion points spaced along the top (longest) curved side ? I could use a single pot with 'y' feed and two clamps? what do you think?