Smooth-On Reusable silicone Vacuum bags

[Fgayford]

To All
I am about to try this technic and was wondering if any of you guys have used this system. If you type in the title in YouTube you can see various demonstrations of them making bags and parts.
Thanks
Fred

[upchurchmr]

We used them at work and the cost was so high we dropped them for the next aircraft.

[clynad]

"the cost was so high" though they were reusable??

[Herman]

I have not had much success with them in the polyester industry. Compared to a polyester top mould (VARTM) it does not have the longevity, and compared to vacuum film they are to expensive and cumbersome.

[upchurchmr]

The reason they were tried were that they were molded to be an exact fit to the desired product. Additionally they were to be "lifetime" bags. Unfortunately, after each molding they had to be cleaned from residue (lots of manhours) sometimes repaired, and even then they were having to be replaced about every 5 shipsets of parts. Reusable did not work out too well.

Originally Posted by clynad

"the cost was so high" though they were reusable??

[latman]

I have used a silicon "omega" channel for vinyl resin flow and it was suposed to last many "shots" but it looked terrible after 1 and ended up a total waste of money !

[tomherrick]

Looks like one of those good ideas that's ahead of its time, and materials, and experience... Hope they get it right in the near future.

[clynad]

Originally Posted by upchurchmr

Unfortunately, after each molding they had to be cleaned from residue (lots of manhours)

do you think a coat of PVA help would have helped, i was real interested in this product but its not worth it if what you say is th case

[upchurchmr]

clynad,

The bags did have a release coating, I don't remember what exactly. It would have been worse without it.

there is always a chance that a different silicone compound would help. I also thought this was going to be a serious reduction in the cost of making composites.

[Herman]

It can be placed between bagging and VARTM, but in practice lacks the advantages of both.

[upchurchmr]

When you report your experience, remember you said IF you can recycle one of these bags 12 times.