Tool Design for Composite part cured in Vacuum bag Autoclave method

[87]

I have started design of tool (Mold/Fixture) that can be used to make composite part by vacuum bag method. Composite final envelop dimension is 35L X 16W X 3H (inches). Looking for tooling design guidelines what the parameters to consider?
Material option for tooling: Alum, Steel, Invar

 

[SWComposites]

How many parts do you plan to make?
Cure temp?
Heating method?
Dimensional tolerances?
Laminate or sandwich?

Be sure the tool does not leak.

 

[87]

Cure temp: 120 deg Celsius
Heating method: Vacuum bag Autoclave
Dimensional tolerance: General tolerance
Laminate or sandwich: prepeg laminate
Qty: TBD

 

[ctopher]

Leaking is a big issue. Design the mold for this. Also design part a % smaller for expansion.

ctopher, CSWP
SolidWorks '17
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[ewh]

CTE (to echo ctopher)

"Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively."
-Dalai Lama XIV

 

[87]

Looking for starting point for design

 

[ctopher]

Start with steel. Design so not leak. Figure in expansion for part.

ctopher, CSWP
SolidWorks '17
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[87]

Do you have some reference/guidelines or cad data of tool?

 

[ctopher]

I used to, but it stayed with the company I used to work at. You can make small tools to practice on. That is what we did in the beginning.

ctopher, CSWP
SolidWorks '17
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[ArturKi]

There are many materials that can be used as a tooling material.
If the mold is not split type that needs to be screwed together you can use soft material - epoxy tooling board - for instance Renshape BM5060. This material is temp resistance up to 140 C and very easy to mill / machine.

If mold is split then use aluminum.

Most carbon fiber manufacturer use aluminum or epoxy tooling boards as a material for the tooling.
If you need to produce many parts per day, then making 1 master model (from aluminum or epoxy tooling board) and then molding as much composite molds (using epoxy resin and carbon or glass fabric) as needed on this master model is preferred.

You can read more practical tips about carbon composites here: [URL unfurl="true"]http://www.dexcraft.com/carbon-fiber-composites[/url]

Carbon fiber composites

http://www.dexcraft.com

 

[87]

Thanks for the information!