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THE COMPOSITES LETTTER B
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ACUUM SYSTEMS FOR
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Vacman’s technical tips
(continued from page 4) 75mm break in spiral wrap and peel ply 30-50mm resin break Peel ply Flow medium
Marine bag film Control valve
Poster size resin schematic . If you would like a bigger version of the illustration on page 1, complete with an explanatory key, please email info@vacmobiles.com and ask us to email one to you. Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders infused boom molds
Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders (LSB), based in East Tamaki, Auckland NZ, are a lead-
ing builder of high quality high-tech
yachts manufacturer over a wide range of disciplines. Their range includes cruising motor yachts, high performance racing yachts and sport
marine fishing boats. LSB have the facil-
ity to take on projects up to 140 ft in length. One of their recent projects was a 68 foot game fishing motor yacht 10m boom molds For more information contact: Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders +64 9 274 7680 Huntress. LSB also have a reputation for high quality interior work, refits and specialized com-
posite parts. One composite project re-
cently completed was a number of vac-
uum infused molds for a leading boom and spar manufacturer. For this purpose LSB invested in two Vacmobile 20/2 systems, as an upgrade from their old liquid ring
boat vacuum system which was noisy and lacked the high vac-
uum performance needed for infusion. The first Vacmobile was purchased in 2007 and the second in 2008. To provide control over the flow of resin out of the perimeter when the part is full, it pays to break the spiral wrap vacuum line into zones separated by 75 mm (3”) gaps. Each of these zones is connected to an external valve, which is in turn connected to an external vacuum line. At the beginning of the infusion, all of the perimeter vacuum valves are open. As the resin enters the peel ply resin break of a particular zone, the vacuum valve for that zone is closed. If zones are successively closed off as the part fills, it can be arranged so that no resin leaves the part. Any excess resin remaining in the part on completion of infusion can be withdrawn via the resin feed connection described earlier. If difficulty is encountered filling a particular portion of the part, the adjacent vacuum valve on the perimeter of the part can be left open in an attempt to direct resin flow to the incompletely filled region. Low cost, vacuum tight valves suitable for the uses described above are available in sizes to
suit for boats 12 mm – ½” inside diameter and 19 mm – ¾” inside diameter tubing from Vacmobiles.com and from some of our international distributors. www.lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz
New Zealand & Worldwide Click for International distributor list Vacmobiles.com Limited, Auckland Tel: +64 9 426 4095 NZ Freephone: 0800 822 726 Website: www.vacmobiles.com Email: info@vacmobiles.com
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