Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Airbox cover.. needs advice!

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic7204.aspx

By alebassa - 7/25/2013 8:56:36 AM

Hi guys!
I'm working on an airbox cover for my bike...
As you can see the cover has big recesses, and the weave is distorting a little bit... (there was also a problem on the bagging, but that is easy to solve in the next infusion)

With the plain carbon the distortion is almost acceptable (even if I don't like it because my eyes always go there..), but now I tried with the twill and even if I haven't made the infusion yet I have already seen that the distorsion is even bigger because the fibers are more free to move...

Do you think there's a way to make the fabric distort less??
Maybe I should try to cut separate parts of fabric for the recesses, and cut two holes in the main part but since the airbox is on top of the bike I fear to see the seam...

http:///www.biosairam.it/foto/airbox/air1.jpg

http:///www.biosairam.it/foto/airbox/air2.jpg

http:///www.biosairam.it/foto/airbox/air3.jpg
By alebassa - 7/27/2013 9:38:10 AM

Ok, I got it... I will try to make it in three parts, I don't have profinish but will try glueing some fg in the back before cutting.

Another thing I would like to try is to put the twill 45 degree with the recess because it seems it coluld distort less.

I will tell you the results..

Yesterday I demoulded the part made in one piece with twill, but the distortion was even more then with the plain carbon..



As you can see I also had a problem of stiching to the mould, so I had to breack the part to pull it out...

The resin has attached to the clear in the mould.... I had cleared it since I had to make some sanding in the mould and it seemed a good idea...

I think next time I will not clear the moulds again! Or at least put also pva on the easylease (even if it seems a nonsense)