Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

New technique a bit like skinning?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic10952.aspx

By racitup - 4/25/2014 9:52:45 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this, I just started watching some videos on Monday so I've no idea if this is a new idea or not, but I'm interested in copying some car parts without making moulds.

The idea goes something like this:
  1. Cover the part in release agent then single sided prepreg, epoxy side out and secure edges with tape or temporary glue
  2. Cover the prepreg tightly (no air bubbles) with thin clear flexible heat resistant gloss sheet gloss side in; e.g. silicone or latex
  3. Seal the sheet behind, either to itself or a backing with vacuum connection
  4. Cure it in an oven
  5. Remove the laminate from the original
  6. Add extra layers inside the first and cure using whatever technique you fancy

Gotchas:
  • The part has to be good for 100ish degrees
  • Would the epoxy stick to the silicone and does anyone know if latex would work?

BTW really excellent Easy Composites videos, infusion is so impressive. 

Rich
By racitup - 4/30/2014 11:55:16 PM

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses. 
Fasta: Great points about expansion at 100degC and suitability for releasing
Hanaldo: I was only thinking of making one copy of several parts for myself. Making moulds for them all would take a lot of time and money and some are very complex
Ajb: thanks for sharing. A couple of panels are fairly flat so this could work. Sounds like infusion would be the way to go to eliminate temperature related problems...

Since I've had such a good response, could anyone advise on what they think would be the best method of copying the original plastic grilles from a Lotus Elise S2 in carbon fibre?
Alternatively is there anyone that would do this for me maybe, preferably based near Warwickshire?

Cheers, 
Rich