New technique a bit like skinning?

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New technique a bit like skinning?

Author	Message
racitup	racitup posted 11 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2, Visits: 13	Hi everyone, I'm new to this, I just started watching some videos on Monday so I've no idea if this is a new idea or not, but I'm interested in copying some car parts without making moulds. The idea goes something like this: Cover the part in release agent then single sided prepreg, epoxy side out and secure edges with tape or temporary glue Cover the prepreg tightly (no air bubbles) with thin clear flexible heat resistant gloss sheet gloss side in; e.g. silicone or latex Seal the sheet behind, either to itself or a backing with vacuum connection Cure it in an oven Remove the laminate from the original Add extra layers inside the first and cure using whatever technique you fancy Gotchas: The part has to be good for 100ish degrees Would the epoxy stick to the silicone and does anyone know if latex would work? BTW really excellent Easy Composites videos, infusion is so impressive. Rich
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Fasta	Fasta posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 468, Visits: 3.5K	So basically you are wanting to mould a new thin part from the outside of a part you already have. I have done this a number of times with pre preg. The catches are, is your original part capable of the 100 deg cure temp? Is the surface of your original part suitable to release from, 100deg? I did it with plastic parts and while the plastic worked quite well with regard to releasing the big problem was expansion and since these parts can have areas of thick and thin plastic it would expand in odd ways with twist etc so this is not something I even try anymore. Fastacraft Facebook page
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Hanaldo	Hanaldo posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2.5K, Visits: 28K	Is there a reason you want to avoid making a mould?
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ajb100	ajb100 posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 346, Visits: 4.4K	I think it will work, but only for relatively simple flat shapes. The difficulty will be preventing creases one the outside where you have put your vinyl or whatever you use. Tight corners etc will probably end up pleating leaving an imprint. I use a similar method for making kart floors. As there is such a huge range in shapes and sizes, it is not plausible to have moulds for them all, so I infuse off the back of an aluminium one
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racitup	racitup posted 11 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 2, Visits: 13	Hi guys, Thanks for the responses. Fasta: Great points about expansion at 100degC and suitability for releasing Hanaldo: I was only thinking of making one copy of several parts for myself. Making moulds for them all would take a lot of time and money and some are very complex Ajb: thanks for sharing. A couple of panels are fairly flat so this could work. Sounds like infusion would be the way to go to eliminate temperature related problems... Since I've had such a good response, could anyone advise on what they think would be the best method of copying the original plastic grilles from a Lotus Elise S2 in carbon fibre? Alternatively is there anyone that would do this for me maybe, preferably based near Warwickshire? Cheers, Rich
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