Freestyle Fiberglass technology...new?

[bierkrieger24]

I was talking to a guy about the new process of fiberglass boats. He was explaining instead of using hand-layup fiberglass techniques, state of the art infusion injection vaccum bagging construction is being used today. This advanced process involves constucting an airtight vacuum over the structure. When that vacuum
is pulled the resin is infused throughout all composite components of the structure. Every component of the boat is vacuum infused. The end result is a stronger, lighter, better-built boat. The over all weight is reduced by more than 30%, while the strength is increased by 150%. You could never accomplish these numbers with hand layed. My question is could the future of the jet skiing industry being heading this way? or has someone already been making these for jet ski hulls?

 

[JetManiac]

All carbon superfreaks are made this way. I think there are many other hulls made using this technology.

 

[Roo]

infusion is nothing new...

didn't know Tem was doing this on his hulls - good to know!

 

[snowxr]

Yeah, we've been doing that for years.

 

[kevbo]

The resin infusion method allows high quality layups with the use of cheap molds and common materials with less labor. Prepreg material is used much the same way but its a lot more expensive right now. SMC molds are for high unit production and only used for couches anymore. Cheap low production hulls are normally sprayed in with gel coat and chopper guns. Cloth and bagging methods are for carefully made parts and expensive permanent molds are for large production runs where labor costs would be too high. All production technology is focused on cost reduction. Anything seen in print is made up by advertising departments.

 

[kraqus]

Wow! Small example but your get the idea....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swpCKleyzgo



Benny

 

[Tyler Zane]

The resin infusion method allows high quality layups with the use of cheap molds and common materials with less labor. Prepreg material is used much the same way but its a lot more expensive right now. SMC molds are for high unit production and only used for couches anymore. Cheap low production hulls are normally sprayed in with gel coat and chopper guns. Cloth and bagging methods are for carefully made parts and expensive permanent molds are for large production runs where labor costs would be too high. All production technology is focused on cost reduction. Anything seen in print is made up by advertising departments.

so its not stronger or lighter?

 

[kevbo]

so its not stronger or lighter?

It is all relative. How poor are the methods/materials they are using for comparison? ANY change is for cost savings with absolutely no regard for the product or customer. Generally, the customer knows nothing about the product he buys so the 1% that makes technical inquiries are scorned.

 

[zeski25]

old stuff bro

 

[Tyler Zane]

It is all relative. How poor are the methods/materials they are using for comparison? ANY change is for cost savings with absolutely no regard for the product or customer. Generally, the customer knows nothing about the product he buys so the 1% that makes technical inquiries are scorned.

do you need a hug?

 

[kraqus]

so its not stronger or lighter?

This method of spreading resin is the most effective, assuring you only used the exact amount that is needed....nothing more.
Extra resin areas tend to crack first, so this method will make a stronger boat.
And if you save 10oz of resin.....that will make a 10oz less heavy boat.
As far as what Marketing ploys companies used I don't really care.
Everyone is trying to get you to buy their stuff......I always start from that basis.



Benny

 

[Shadow7874]

I was interested in vacuum infusion a while back but I was never really able to figure out how it would be any better then regular vacuum bagging. As long as the vacuum bagging setup is set to pull out excess resin then its really about the same thing just less working with resin

 

[SuperJETT]

I was interested in vacuum infusion a while back but I was never really able to figure out how it would be any better then regular vacuum bagging. As long as the vacuum bagging setup is set to pull out excess resin then its really about the same thing just less working with resin

Since the matting is compressed before it has resin in it, the resin content will be lower than vacuum bagging, plus less chance for air bubbles to remain and less chance for the resin to kick and start gelling before you get the bag on. Also, any bag leaks are typically found before pulling the resin.

There are several small benefits that add up to a better process/part.