Juan Ranera
Fab Academy 2013 Participant
Composites
Our last assignment for last week was to design and make a 3D mold and test composite materials.
I've designed the mold in Rhino. The material with whih we had to make the mold, it was something small,
so I decided to do a little star-shaped container.
![](images/week11/3Dmodel.png)
I've milled the mold with Shopbot machine. It has his own software called PartWorks. I've used a 12mm drill bit and I like a lot his precision.
![](images/week11/milling.png)
It is important to take account design depth. Should never be greater than the length of the drill.
![](images/week11/milling2.png)
Finally, this is the mold:
![](images/week11/mold.png)
I've used "linen" and "raffia" matrix to fabricate my piece. I've cutted these pieces using the Epilog 36EXT laser cutter.
![](images/week11/pieces_cut_by_laser.png)
There which spreads the fabric pieces with epoxy resin mixed with a hardener. You have to pour 2 Parts Resin + 1 Part Hardener
![](images/week11/mixture.jpg)
Stir for 2 minutes...
![](images/week11/mixture2.png)
And then you have to extend over the mold covering all the layers with plastic film.
![](images/week11/preparation.png)
Finally you have to put the whole package inside the vacuum bag, and wait...
![](images/week11/vacuum.png)
6 hours later...
![](images/week11/star.png)