"Our philosophy has always been that there are no miracles in vacuum infusion," says Edwin van Herpt, owner of Composite Solutions.

"All components like resins, curing systems, reinforcements, cores, moulds, runner and flow materials etc, must all be known beforehand, at least prior to the first moulding!"

"Understanding the do’s and don’ts of vacuum infusion is an important part of our technology transfer to moulding companies. Computer modeling of the infusion strategy to be used gives an insight into potential problem areas."

Since I worked for the Contest project when we infused the first hull of a Contest sailing boat at the Conyplex shipyard in the Netherlands, we have carried out a broad range of vacuum infusion projects. These range from sailing yachts to bridge structures and from motor yachts to rotor blades - and many other applications in between.

If you are interested in what Composite Solutions can do for you, then contact Edwin by email

Composite Solutions can assist you on

Product and process development, engineering, manufacturing. Mainly for fibre reinforced plastics for various industrial markets. Composite Solutions sets up, manages and executes projects, primarily focused on the marine sector, windenergy and industrial market.

MEETING COSMETIC AND MECHANICAL NEEDS

Over recent years consumers' quality perceptions have increased. Fibre print through is, therefore, a major issue that needs to be considered when starting with vacuum infusion. Unknown to the customer but no less important, the chosen resin also needs to have a reproducible and adjustable gel time, peak exotherm, cure cycle and shrinkage. The resin’s strength, stiffness and durability must also be excellent too. "However, vacuum infusion is not a solution that fits all products and companies. But this process innovation is actually part of product development, since using vacuum infusion will influence the design and the materials to be used! That is why we also offer design and engineering as part of the service to our clients."

STRUCTURED APPROACH TO EACH PROJECT

"To transfer our vacuum infusion technology we take a specific project approach," continued Edwin van Herpt. "Together with our clients we first analyze the given structure - yacht hull / deck, rotor blade, bridge structure, trailer etc – in terms of materials used and mechanical properties required. We then carry out the following project steps:

  • Evaluation of the materials (resin, reinforcement, sandwich core) that are normally used by the moulder in terms of infusibility
  • Investigating opportunities for integration of manufacturing steps to reduce overall costs
  • Development of a specific infusion strategy
  • Infusion testing of preferred materials and advising on alternatives
  • Advising on auxiliary materials and equipment
  • Short course on the principles of infusion (do’s and don’ts)
  • Hands-on training of workshop personnel with a small composite part
  • Supervised infusion of a complete structure

We have used this project approach for very small as well as very large companies; in the Netherlands as well as abroad. We believe it is proven technology now.’

Partners we have worked for are

  • Conyplex (The Netherlands) 45-60 ft SY
  • Rodman (Spain) 57 ft MY
  • Polysier (Spain) 30 ft SY
  • Astondoa (Spain) 58-60 ft MY
  • Zeydon (Belgium) 60 ft SY
  • Finish consortium of boatbuilders, including Nautor’s Swan and Baltic Yacht, in Finland.

© 2010 Composite Solutions
address: Sporenring 96, 5053 EE, Goirle, The Netherlands | tel: +31 649 203 603 | email: info@composite-solutions.nl