Filling voids advice - like Bugatti

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Filling voids advice - like Bugatti

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ant...	ant... posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 17, Visits: 92	Hi Chris Actually I might try heating the alloy mould and the material, I've not tested that yet, Thanks. The vacuum chamber is very good and I can 100% guarantee that no bubbles come through the peristaltic pump so its more likely that they are voids, thats why I'm hoping the pressure cure will help. Resin is infusion fast, not high temp and after and I cure for a few weeks. When the cups finished the rim and base will be fitted with aluminium rims, this will help stop people putting the cup in the microwave, which is the only risk I've found. Heat insulation 4 layers of 600 carbon fabric(chosen for its nice weave pattern) in testing the cup keeps hot 50-75% longer than a normal pottery coffee mug and it feels great in the hand. Food safe - The cup will go to Veritas when finished, its a piece of artwork though not your average brew cup. Even if it can't be sold as a beverage holder I'm still going to finish the project if I can keep thinking of ways to improve the process. I can get stainless steel inserts for £2 but then you wouldn't be able to see the inside.
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ChrisR	ChrisR posted 10 Years Ago HOT Post Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 363, Visits: 3K	Other than just leaving the vacuum on for longer before infusing and warming the fabric before layup/infusion I can't help on that front. It looks reasonably OK tbh. Just a couple of questions on the project on the whole though.... I assume you're using high temp resin & elevated post cured? Does it have a liner to prevent anything nasty from the resin getting into the drink? (99.99% of epoxies are not foodsafe - I only leave a 0.01% as I'm sure someone has come up with one) Does it come with a insulating holder as the carbon will conduct the heat straight to your hands in seconds & it would act as a heatsink for the liquid inside? I'm sure you've already considered these but just interested in how you've overcome them... Chris
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ant...	ant... posted 10 Years Ago HOT Topic Details
Group: Forum Members Posts: 17, Visits: 92	So I've been working on producing a carbon fibre coffee cup for many years, I want it to be perfect and its almost there. For the past 2 years I've had the project on the back burner having spent many thousands on equipment and tests. But last week watching the How Its Made featuring the Bugatti Veyron, I saw how their carbon nose cone always comes out with voids in tights places and that these areas were repaired to produce a flawless finish. That made me think my process might be good enough and I can finish my cup with a few repairs. These images show how my cup is one solid piece but the outside is always susceptible to tiny bubbles or sometimes voids, the inside is almost always perfect. My Process - The alloy mould is secured in a vacuum chamber while infusion resin is pumped from the mixing container into the mould from its base, this enables the cup to be one piece with all smooth sides and the vacuum chamber limits bubbles & voids. My next test will include curling the mould in a high pressure oven maybe 100psi (pressure cooker LOL). But I've tried loads of ways to get a 100% perfect result and id become disappointed until I saw the Bugatti repair process. With a little help I mights just get a finished mug... Question - Can these voids be filled? any suggestions? Im guessing sand the holes back to remove any release agent, maybe with some acetone and fill with a syringe of general epoxy. then rub it back to a perfect round finish. BTW this big hole is drilled to practice fitting the carbon handle. Tags filling voids
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