Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Carbon Fiber Layup with Mould 3D Printer

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic27017.aspx

By Dezer - 5/16/2018 12:35:23 AM

Hello friends,

I was studying making 3D impression moulds and sealing with epoxy resin to make carbon fiber parts in the Wet Layup + Vacuum Bagging or Vacuum infusion process. 

Has anyone done any 3D impression mould?
What better material for printing?

The composites will be cured at room temperature.

Thanks!
By vieteejais - 9/23/2020 4:53:26 AM

 
Lester Populaire - 5/19/2018 8:06:17 AM
I just have some pictures of printed positive moulds on hand and thought i would share them. printed in PLA on a Prusa printer.


second layer of spray filler


sanded to 800 grid


with tooling gel coat


finished mould (made with vacuum infusion) and the first part


first part close up. Finish straight out of the mould.


Another project with the bar and the lower mould have printed to get an accurate split line exactly in the center of the bar.


this is how the first mould have is made, then the lower part is removed and a composite mould is made instead.


And a close up of the finish. getting a really smooth finish and decent dimensional accuracy is really easy even with a relatively big layer height.

I hope this helps.
Cheers, Reto







Hello!

This looks very promising. I know it is old post but did not wanted to make new. Lester, can you comment on the finishing layers after 3D printed mold with filler is sanded?
I suggest there is at least some kind of epoxy layer and release agent to use it either for hand layup straight in 3d printed mold of making female mold by applying gel coat?

Thanks!