A simple, manual moulding method in which a product is formed by placing subsequent layers of carrier materials on top of each other. The Gelcoat is first applied by hand or by spraying (using a special machine – SPRAY/GUN version).
Supplier of manual moulding method
Tensile strength, elasticity,
impact resistance, compression strength
The carrier materials that give the laminates the required physical and mechanical properties (e.g. tensile strength, elasticity, impact resistance, compression strength, etc.) are glass mats, technical fabrics, glass fibre tissue and coremat impregnated using appropriately selected resin.
Advantages of this method
- it makes it possible to manufacture parts of various sizes and varying weight, complexity, design, etc.
- relatively short tool preparation time (model + single-sided mould),
- low production start-up costs,
- the method is cost-effective even for single-unit and low-volume orders,
- the products can be fitted with additional adaptation kits and/or reinforcements (metal adaptation kits, PU foams, spacers, balsa, etc.),
- it enables the production of SANDWICH-structured laminates with such arrangements as laminate-core-mat-laminate; laminate-parabéam-laminate, laminate-PU-foam-laminate, etc.
Manufacture
complex and difficult parts
Apart from the technological limitations present in each method (e.g. technological radii, wall inclination), production using this method is, in principle, unlimited. It is possible to manufacture all types of parts – even the most complex and difficult ones.
- it is only possible to have a single Gelcoat surface on the mould side (typically for single-sided moulds),
- the laminate quality is highly dependent on worker skills; the wall thickness tolerance ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 mm,
- high unit production cost – with a relatively low tooling cost.