Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Ideal layup method?

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic9528.aspx

By Learjet45 - 2/3/2014 10:08:34 PM

Hi everyone! Forgive me if this is in the wrong place, I'm new around here Smile

I'm a member of my school's Formula SAE team, and we are making an aerodynamics package for this year's vehicle including a front and rear wing.
Last year, we attempted the same project without any real success. All layups were wet vacuumed bag layups done by hand. The finished result was questionable at best compared to our desired outcome, and this year we want to do things differently.

Our desire for the end product would be a carbon fiber wing with a foam core with a single layer of carbon fiber enclosing the foam core. The endplates for the wings will be two ply flat sheets essentially.
After doing some research over the summer, we learned about the resin infusion process and were interested in doing that. However, figuring out how it would work is proving difficult.

I'm looking for advice on what will be best suited for my purposes.

We obviously have the capability of having the male mold made since we plan on using a foam core. We also have the option of having female molds made as they did last year.

Personally, I'm concerned about the end quality of a part made from a male mold. Apparently a test layup was done with fiberglass over a male mold not using a vacuum bag, but since we're making wings for a racecar, we need the best possible surface finish and the best quality part. Also, I believe we can have the female molds machined for us vs having to more of less make a foam core for the male mold ourselves.

Any suggestions for a relative newbie?

Thanks!
Jonathan
By wozza - 2/8/2014 7:37:46 AM

email sent.