Infuse two sides foam at once

Discussion in 'Materials' started by MassimilianoPorta, Nov 14, 2019.

  1. rob denney
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    rob denney Senior Member

    Do it right and the catch pot is not required. One feed line, doesn't matter where it enters if you are using spiral. Otherwise, in the middle. I have only ever used one outlet. Never had a problem.
     
  2. ondarvr
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    Unless you know exactly what you’re doing with that exact part, then a catch pot is a very good idea.
     
  3. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    Yes. It is also an insurance to prevent resin going to your expensive pump.
     
  4. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thanks everyone really a lot for your valuable input. This forum is amazing.
    Catch pot will be my insurance until I will become very familiar with the infusion system, I don't want to put my pump at risk, also because I will infuse mostly on my own and after the work hours... :rolleyes:

    This is a scheme of my layup schedule, can I ask for your advice?

    ttop_layup.jpg
    (of course all the square corners will be rounded in the real stuff)
     
  5. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    Just some question. Why do you need an MDF board? Your table/mold surface properly waxed should be good enough if it is sturdy.

    The flow mesh will accelerate the resin flow and since it is only on one side, there will be an imbalance in the flow rate. It is used only on single ply laminate or top down approach. The flow from left to right must be at the same rate otherwise you have a fully saturated top while the bottom is dry or have dry patches.

    The way you have bunched up the laminate at the side should provide a pathway for the resin to flow from one side to the other. If your part is long and you are using only one resin pot as Rob Denny has suggested, a distribution method is needed. Add/fold up the fiber in the feed line or use spiral tube to distribute the resin.

    Perforated film release is used as pathway to remove excess resin. Excess resin is absorbed by the breather cloth.

    PF then breather cloth or to some extent if resin is controlled, PF then peel ply. The peel ply, since it is initially porous, provides a pathway to remove trapped air bubbles/remove excess resin. Depending on the practice, it is Either/Or PP or PF+breather cloth.
     
  6. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Because I don't have a mold and I am not willing to build one as this, at the momement, will be the only part produced. So the MDF acts as male plug.

    I will add flow mesh on the bottom/internal sides too.

    As Rob suggested, I am going to use a spiral tube on the long side, extended a little past the corners as in this picture.
    [​IMG]

    I will review the layers of material accordingly,
     
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  7. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    1. If you want to use over the top infusion media then you need to have the perforated release film under this so that it can be removed.
    2. If your objective is to have smooth surfaces then you can not use flow media as this will leave an in-print.
    3. To infuse 1.5m you will need very low viscosity and long gel time.
    4. To have smooth surfaces I would use grooved core or incorporate continuous filament matt (CFM) into the laminate.
    5. Have at least 200mm peel ply resin break, don't put the resin distribution line around the corner, stop at the corner and also make sure you do not have bridging in your bag along the edges of the panel as this will allow resin to fast track along these edges.

    Experiment with grooved core and CFM before you attempt the real thing.

    Andrew
     
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  8. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thank you Andrew. Can you explain me better point 5?
     
  9. Eric ruttan
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    Eric ruttan Senior Member

    Double bag it.
    You dont need expensive sheat. Anything flat will do.
     
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  10. AndrewK
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    AndrewK Senior Member

    Resin break is the pink area in your diagram above, just a single layer of PP. You off course wrap the vacuum line (red) in it. When starting your experiments make this 300mm wide if you can.
    Place the resin inlet in the centre of the distribution line rather than at one end.
    You can also calculate the resin required very accurately so that nothing should end up in your vacuum line. If you mixed more resin that required than clamp off the inlet line when the resin front is ~50mm from the job edge. There will be enough resin in the job to complete the wet out.
    Andrew
     
  11. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thanks
    Another question (I will have many more... :rolleyes: ): I can't source foam panels big enough for my job, so I am going to use 2 o 3 smaller that I will have to join.
    Is it enough to apply some epoxy putty / polyurethane adhesive along the joints?
     
  12. ondarvr
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    ondarvr Senior Member

    No need for anything on the joints, resin will bond them together during the infusion.
     
  13. MassimilianoPorta
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Thanks, one issue less:)
     
  14. rxcomposite
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    rxcomposite Senior Member

    Just tape the foam to hold it together/in place then remove the tape before adding the top layers. If you want something more sophisticated, there is a 3M spray adhesive. Can't recall the part number. Have to look it up in the basement.
     

  15. MassimilianoPorta
    Joined: Apr 2019
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    MassimilianoPorta Junior Member

    Could be the 3M Super 77? It is in my purchase list for this job
     
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