hi im new to these forums and fairly new to the various carbon manufacturing processes. Im sure this question has been asked before or its so plainly obvious that it has not. i am just wondering are you able to put the vacuum pump into the oven itself when making your prepreg parts. and if you are not able to how would u ensure that the vacuum tubing is not blocked off. this is in a non autoclave situation!

I have a large enough gap in the corner of the door opening to my oven that I can run a small hose or main cable through to either continue to have the mould and part connected to the pump sat outside the oven or to place the pump along with the part inside the oven (at lower temps).  I've done this a few times where there has been a tiny air leak which I've not been able to find and its helped save the part - IE works for remedial action on a fault.

Its certainly much easier to have a completely leak free mould and bag & just to clamp that off and put it in the oven.
Also the std 6mm hose starts to collapse under vacuum at higher temps (40degC+).  Hopefully you have cured the part before then!

Hope that helps
Stuart

Hole in the oven and silicone hoses:



Give these guys a ring, they supply big names like TygaVac.

http://www.hosetechnologies.com/aerospace-product.php?c=91&p=237

Depends on how much you buy though, I think they will charge like £15 shipping. If you only need a metre or so, I've got some here you can buy off me.