After allowing the resin to cure, I popped the mold open.
Not so great. Only 50% of the fabric was en wetted out. The surface of the female mold wasn't wetted. The horrible job I did wrapping dry fabric over the male core didn't allow the fabric to push out against the mold interior surface.
The lesson I am learning here is 3D printing a female mold for RTM is completely impractical. The mold is not fully dense, and is filled with air. So when you put the mold under vacuum that air expands, and the resin floats across the surface of the mold. You must have a fully dense mold, or seal the surface of the printed mold in some way. Could a liner be used?
Not so great. Only 50% of the fabric was en wetted out. The surface of the female mold wasn't wetted. The horrible job I did wrapping dry fabric over the male core didn't allow the fabric to push out against the mold interior surface.
The lesson I am learning here is 3D printing a female mold for RTM is completely impractical. The mold is not fully dense, and is filled with air. So when you put the mold under vacuum that air expands, and the resin floats across the surface of the mold. You must have a fully dense mold, or seal the surface of the printed mold in some way. Could a liner be used?
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