Slartibartfast_lives
Mechanical
- Dec 3, 2020
- 1
Hi,
Considering changing a steel tubular component that we already make to carbon fiber. We have experience with various methods of thermoset molding including VARTM and vacuum bagged prepreg for other components, but the part in question would require a solid carbon structure, i.e. dimensional surface on all sides and not hollow, which means matched molds and controlling compression of the fibers by controlling the loading of the mold. The part is relatively small, about 260mm in the long dimension, and each half of the mold would be about 330x230x75mm
My question regards the necessary accuracy in machining this type of closed mold. It's reasonable for our volume and process to seal the mold from the outside with mastic tape to be able to draw a vacuum for infusion or degassing, so a true matched and air-tight fit is not necessary. But, things generally need to line up well, as the part thickness and laminate compression will be controlled by the offset distance between the two mold halves.
If someone could share some real-world experience on what type of accuracy this process might require for this application, I would greatly appreciate it. And more secondarily, would these kind of molds be something exclusively done in the realm of thermally-compensated linear scale mold machines, or is a good condition standard VMC capable of this?
Thanks,
Brian
Considering changing a steel tubular component that we already make to carbon fiber. We have experience with various methods of thermoset molding including VARTM and vacuum bagged prepreg for other components, but the part in question would require a solid carbon structure, i.e. dimensional surface on all sides and not hollow, which means matched molds and controlling compression of the fibers by controlling the loading of the mold. The part is relatively small, about 260mm in the long dimension, and each half of the mold would be about 330x230x75mm
My question regards the necessary accuracy in machining this type of closed mold. It's reasonable for our volume and process to seal the mold from the outside with mastic tape to be able to draw a vacuum for infusion or degassing, so a true matched and air-tight fit is not necessary. But, things generally need to line up well, as the part thickness and laminate compression will be controlled by the offset distance between the two mold halves.
If someone could share some real-world experience on what type of accuracy this process might require for this application, I would greatly appreciate it. And more secondarily, would these kind of molds be something exclusively done in the realm of thermally-compensated linear scale mold machines, or is a good condition standard VMC capable of this?
Thanks,
Brian