Complex Mould Making


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Jacob Jackson
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So I finally got the center console for my C5 vette that ive been waiting on, this specific part is the reason for my interest in composites. A real carbon fiber version retails for 4 digits, and I dont want to fall into the hydro dipping vette guy stereotype. I consider myself a semi-professional DIY'er, so I figured why not learn something new. I've watch some videos on youtube but this center console is extremely complex (and maybe not the best first project)

Here is the console.




The biggest problem that I can see is how create the whole piece with the inserts and tabs.

Im guessing I could create the cup holder and the storage area/ cigarette lighter bits separate and press them together with some 2 part adhesive.

My question to ya'll then is, whats the beset way to start with mould? I'm not sure what material I would use. The biggest thing about this project is that I would like the keep the integrity of the original part, it wasn't cheap and this specific one isn't made anymore.
Edited 6 Years Ago by Jacob Jackson
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Jacob Jackson
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Warren (Staff) - 6/21/2019 8:46:31 AM
HI,

You would certainly want to remove the cup holder and storage area flaps as a separate project.  Perhaps if the lighter storage box can actually be removed, that would simplify things a lot.

Clips on the back are normally done afterwards and bonded into place.  You may need a bit of redesign of how you fix it to the car.

Other than that, you need to block all the holes and then its relatively conventional moulding process.  Just double check the sides don't mean the part would mechanically lock into a one part mould.  If it looks like it will, you may need to go to a 2 piece mould or more.

I have everything removed, except for the cup holder. I do not think the storage are can be removed, I'm not really comfortable with cutting it off. I was looking at videos of silicon moulds being made and noticed the amount of flex they can tolerate. Do you think this would be a proper material choice for the mould? 

GO

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