Manufacturing Processes

This semester, Bart Johnson has been coming over from Itasca Community College and guiding learning for manufacturing processes. As part of the learning, we got to lay up some carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiber glass. When making any of these types of composites, a mold is usually needed. The students just chose objects in the classroom to use for molds. The popular objects were hardhats, cups, and Frisbees. Making composites is a really messy process and it takes a lot of talent to make high quality products.

To make our product, we first wrapped our molds with saran wrap so the resin didn't stick to the mold. Then we had to cut out pieces to fit over our molds. Once we had our pieces fitted, then we mixed up the resin. The resin is the binder that holds the layers of fibers together. We used a paint brush to apply the resin and then we fitted the fiber around our mold. This has to be quick because it takes about twenty minutes for the resin to start hardening. The product I worked on used a couple layers and then cut strips to fit into the detailed spots on our mold. Once we had finished applying the resin and fitting the fiber we let it dry. After it was dry, we cut away excess fibers and we had a finished product.

This experience was valuable to us because we heightened our knowledge in the manufacturing of composites. As engineers, we might have to design a product using these materials and knowing how to make it is always helpful in the manufacturing process. Also, as engineers, we might be designing composites. Its was definitely worth our time to get exposed to this process.

Proofed by Christine