Mouldless Carbon Fibre Technique for One-Off and Prototype Components

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Published 2022-05-24
Project page for further info ►www.easycomposites.co.uk/learning/mouldless-compos…

In this composites video tutorial we cover the simplest and lowest cost method for creating an original moulded carbon fibre (CFRP) component. To minimise materials and cost, the process avoids the need for a well-finished pattern or female mould by laminating the carbon fibre and resin directly onto a shaped XPS foam pattern. The carbon fibre is then overcoated with additional layers of epoxy resin before the surface is flatted and polished to a smooth finish. Once the surface is good, the polystyrene foam is removed from the inside of the component.

This method is not without its disadvantages but for prototypes and one-off components, especially where budgets or equipment are constrained - such as many school (Greenpower) and university race (Formula Student, Eco-Marathon etc.) teams - this method can yield acceptable quality components whilst minimising cost, waste and time.

Most of the tools and equipment used in the tutorial are available from Easy Composites and are listed on the video's Project Page in our Learning Area:

UK and World ► www.easycomposites.co.uk/learning/mouldless-compos…
EU ► www.easycomposites.eu/learning/mouldless-composite…

All Comments (21)
  • @FastPaull
    Man, what this guy is teaching us for free is almost criminal. You can't put a price on this knowledge.
  • This channel is full of some of the finest composite instruction on the web. Thank you for working so hard to educate not only your customers, but the whole world!
  • @fredygump5578
    This is encouraging for me to watch. I would feel discouraged in the early stages, seeing the various ripples and imperfections. So it's great to see how you work through it to get a good result.
  • @thomasmoser7382
    i love the fact that you also show and talk about the flaws on the part and not try to hide it
  • @vipahman
    This channel is what makes me want to make CF parts for everything I own. It's not that the marketing is good, it's that it is very honest in the simple things that a beginner might face. Very professional. No BS. Thank you.
  • @CYMotorsport
    Best way to sell is just keep making amazing things. Brilliant stuff, Paul
  • Your thumbnail was incredibly effective in getting me to watch this video - even though your content is already top notch. The prototype you have created here looks incredible. Thanks again for such fantastic and inspirational content.
  • @glenb1356
    I have built two composite airplanes using fiberglass. Your instructions were spot on! I especially like the use of peel ply, which I use now on all my projects. The major thing I learned is: more epoxy just adds weight. Lightly draw epoxy from the layer underneath by stippling with the end of the brush. Also, using a hair dryer to warm the layup helps the epoxy flow better. Get the fibers wet, but no extra. I always use slow-cure resin. It takes a couple of days to cure.
  • @curtisfoster540
    I've been watching these tutorials for years, using your products for years, and remain in awe of the quality and generosity of product and service you guys consistently deliver. Keep up the great work!
  • @athomas4835
    I used to make custom car parts ( consoles and door panels etc.) like this 20 years ago for car audio projects . Great video and craftsmanship .
  • Oh my! If there was one video I absolutely needed to see at this time it is this. Almost exactly what I needed to know and a shell that is so close to what I am actually constructing - And all done with a minimum of materials and facilities - exactly my situation (I dearly hope I can also do a beautiful job of it too). You have given me hope and confidence that I can complete my project using this method. Already I was relieved to find that I had done everything almost right so far, even the choice of weave and lay-up steps. Thank you so much.
  • @bibinsagaram
    Excellent video! I started watching your videos when I was participating in Shell Eco Marathon 2015. That was 8 years ago and I never missed a video from you guys ever since !
  • @SenorYuk
    I love these videos so much. I always think of a ton of ideas for my own projects when I see how these processes are implemented.
  • @nickvledder
    I soaked up every second of this great tutorial! Very inspiring for the r/c modelbuilder enthusiast!
  • @john.doyle.
    Hi, I just want to say how incredibly interesting and useful ALL your videos are; time and again I have a particular aspect of small scale, perhaps "hobbyist" type composite projects I want to investigate a bit further and I've done a quick search on YouTube and virtually every time you guys are the source of the most professionally produced, most informative and generally the best content relevant to what I've searched. I've never actually taken the plunge and done any yet mind you, but hopefully one day I shall, and if and when I manage to do anything I can confidently state your videos are going to be of great help to me!!! Thanks again!!!
  • @jonathanw2036
    Great video as always Paul, we've learned so much for you and even though we've been making composites for many years now there are always new things to pick up on!
  • Oh wow, so this is similar to the technique our glider team used to make our flying wing glider so long ago. I didn't know it was called moldless. We used a hot wire to cut the wing shape from foam, then carefully put various composites on the foam for the leading and trailing edges for impact resistance and stiffness respectively. Every time I watch a video tutorial from Easy Composites, I learn something new. These videos from Easy Composites are so educational and so perfectly paced, and are among the very best tutorials anywhere on YouTube.
  • @zer0gravity184
    You've been with this company for years. An excellent teacher for composites.👍
  • @vikassm
    This is soooooo encouraging! Thank you for uploading. I've been thinking about making fun-chairs for my kids out of wood & fiberglass+epoxy, but moulds or even vaccum bagging are out of my project scope. This way I can make the internal form/rough shape out of wood, Layer the fiberglass+epoxy without adding the release film, finish the outside with bondo+paint+clear coat and simply leave the wood form within. Its gotta be Strong and last a long long time!