Amateur from lancashire

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Amateur from lancashire

Author	Message
Eeskidmark	Eeskidmark posted 9 Years Ago Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 6, Visits: 106	Hello All, I am new to this forum and especially new to composites. I have just finished Uni having done an engineering degree, so that is probably why I have the lust to try my hand at moulding carbon fiber parts. I have got myself a couple of kits, the mould and an infusion kit. Here is a couple of pictures of my first mould, its for an old British mx, a front mudguard brace. I hope to make the mudguard next. I filled all the small gaps up between the sign board with Plasticine although I feel filleting wax may be easier to use. Please let me know if I have made any rookie mistakes. I am guessing that half the battle is managing to make a good mould. How does carbon fiber hold up with cyclic fatigue such as heavy vibrations from the engine? should I be adding a reinforcement layer of kevlar? One last quick question, I would like to create the part below for my other bike, but I dont want to make a cover for it I actually want to make it. Should I mould both sides then glue the two carbon fiber pieces together? Cheers, Henry
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carbonfibreworks	carbonfibreworks posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 292, Visits: 4.5K	Hi Henry The carbon will be fine for your mudguard mount especially if you make it the same thickness as your original and I assume you are using epoxy resin, although many don't I always post cure components. A male and female mould would be needed for the engine cover, i know you don't want to be I would be tempted to make just the outer cover. Chris Carbon fibre works LTD
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Eeskidmark	Eeskidmark posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 6, Visits: 106	Hi Chris, Thanks for the information. Do you have any tips on designing the mould so that the part is easier to remove from it once it has set and gone hard. I had a real job this morning of prying it out. It was more the fact I couldnt get behind the part anywhere to pry to remove it rather than a mechanical lock. Its out now just need to make a couple of minor repairs.
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carbonfibreworks	carbonfibreworks posted 9 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 292, Visits: 4.5K	Hi Henry The slightest mechanical lock will give you problems, with the use of a good semi perm release like Easy lease etc and no mech lock the part should almost fall out. You can use plastic body fillers spreaders as they quite thin to help in removing the part and they wont cause any damage. Chris Carbon fibre works LTD Tags Easy lEasy
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