Woven cloth with compression mould


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JonS
JonS
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Hi,

Just wondering if there's a reason most compression mould tutorials use chopped tow and not woven cloth. Is there a reason the cloth doesn't work in a compression mould?

Cheers,
Jon
Hanaldo
Hanaldo
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JonS - 7/1/2022 1:50:46 PM
Hi,

Just wondering if there's a reason most compression mould tutorials use chopped tow and not woven cloth. Is there a reason the cloth doesn't work in a compression mould?

Cheers,
Jon

You can, but the woven materials don't move around as easily and can also get pinched in the flange much easier. So depending on how complex your part is, it may be quite tricky to get a good result. But can certainly be done.

Warren (Staff)
Warren (Staff)
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Also remember the orientation of the fibres are limited with a woven cloth where as you get a more random orientation with a chopped tow so often it depends on the application of the part which approach is more beneficial. 

Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant
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I've done that quite a few times. Or a mix with fabric and chopped fibres. As the other said before me I'd use it only for parts where you don't push the drapability of the fabric too much and the draft angles are not to steep. Also I generally leave the mould open on the sides and the fabric overhangs the part, then I'll trimm it after laminating. This will give a much nicer result over trying to fit an exactly cut fabric patch into the mould without fraying.

Pro tip is to leave some registration marks in the printed mould so you can locate it in a known position on a CNC and then just cut the part out after laminating. works a treat.
GO

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