Can a gelcoated or two-sided finished part be infused in one step using a SWORL reusable vacuum bag?
A. Yes. Manufacturers are saving time and cutting costs by producing parts with gel-coated surfaces and two-sided finished surfaces by using lightweight, low-cost counter molds, or platens, to create the second finished surface. With counter molds, after a part is laid up on the lower mold half, the counter mold is simply placed over the completed laminate. Then, the entire tool is placed under the pre-made, contoured SWORL reusable bag and infusion can begin. Historically, parts that were gelcoated or featured a two-sided finish were either built in halves and then bonded together or molded via resin transfer molding. Both methods were expensive. Bonding resulted in high labor costs while RTM tools represented significant moldmaking costs and were heavier and more difficult to handle.
Related Questions
- Can flow channels be molded directly into a SWORL reusable vacuum bag as it is made to eliminate the cost of this single-use "accessory" for vacuum molding?
- How can I ensure that the SWORL reusable vacuum bag will conform tightly to the contours of the part being fabricated?
- Can a gelcoated or two-sided finished part be infused in one step using a SWORL reusable vacuum bag?
