Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Making a CF box: panels or molded over a plug??

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic28750.aspx

By CNC - 7/30/2018 11:03:04 PM

Hello all, please excuse my ignorance, this is all very new to me. I come from the CNC machining world so pardon me if I used the wrong terminology.

I need to create a thin wall open top CF box. About the size of a countertop toaster oven. The walls should be approx .125 thick. The way I see it, there are two options: CF panels fastened together like a plywood box, or some sort of seamless one piece tub molded over a Buck (plug). The finished product needs to be asthetically pleasing and have a finished custom look. I think the seamless tub would look trick but not sure how to make the bottom corners look nice. Panels are my 2nd choice but then I would have to use corner gussets and edge mold for the open faces where the core would show.

Any advice or thoughts for me?
Many thanks in advance!
By Warren (Staff) - 7/31/2018 8:14:42 AM

Both options are viable.  The first option you would use as something like our Carbon Fibre Angle as a fancy corner capping to keep things neat.

A nice and simple way to make it moulded would be to find a nice  "Tuperware" or similar plastic storage  tub of the right dimensions and either mould from it or mould directly on it..  Look for one made of polypropylene (many are) and you won't even need a release agent.  Most of them are free from logos or trade marks on the inside which once you mould against will mean a smooth outside.   Could be a quick  and simple way for a one off box.