Anybody had batches of carbon parts manufactured?

[Hoonabator]

Hi chaps.

I'm looking to have batches of several items manufactured in carbon fibre.

Who would be the people to talk to. UK, Europe or Asia?

Could be looking at 3/4 different items and about 40 pieces of each to start with. Items aren't particularly big and I'd obviously like them finished to a high standard.

Any pointers much appreciated.

Thanks

[egomeister]

What kind of thing do you need doing, and how much work is involved to get things going? (ie do you have full designs/cad data/tooling or little more than an idea or sketch and will need some design work carried out?). Do you know what kind of manufacturing route you want to go down?

[Hoonabator]

Hi Ego, thanks for the quick reply.

The products already exist in fibreglass so it would be straight copies of them. Figure they'd just make a mound off them?? They're actually quiet straight forward pieces (I think) non structural, no mounting points, single sided finish.

Would like the finished pieces to be 100% carbon not glass with a carbon outer skin and with a high gloss clear lacquered finish rather than bare carbon.

[Simpo Two]

A cousin of mine works at www.crosbycomp.co.uk - probably expensive though!

[whythem]

If CF proves too expensive, have you thought of Water Transfer Printing in carbon?

[Hoonabator]

Thanks for the replies guys. Some interesting leads coming forward. Defiantly needs to carbon fibre not pretend carbon look alike.

[jammy_basturd]

Try Curley Specialised Mouldings: http://www.curleyuk.com

[egomeister]

Hoonabator said:

Hi Ego, thanks for the quick reply.

The products already exist in fibreglass so it would be straight copies of them. Figure they'd just make a mound off them?? They're actually quiet straight forward pieces (I think) non structural, no mounting points, single sided finish.

Would like the finished pieces to be 100% carbon not glass with a carbon outer skin and with a high gloss clear lacquered finish rather than bare carbon.

Yep, taking a mould from an existing part would be feasible. It sounds like you probably aren't looking at a prepreg/autoclave route given the existing component. I'd probably be looking out for somewhere experienced with wet-lay or resin infusion with knowledge of woven fabrics rather than chopped strand mat, but I don't have so much experience of these so can't suggest anyone.

Potentially you could make a resin rich component negate the need for lacquering but if you do need to spray them you could try http://www.firstplacefinish.co.uk/ or http://www.project-12.co.uk/

[Hoonabator]

Thanks again Ego.

I'm still trying to weed through the web minefield to get an understanding of exactly what I need.

[malks222]

can I ask what it is you need making in carbon?

I know a few people who you could speak to about this (they make car parts and slalom canoes/ paddles). it depends how complex the piece is going to be, what shape, curves, joints etc......

as for finish, if you want a clear coat/ shine over the carbon weave, what you need is some very well polished moulds and a nice thin layer of clear gel coat as the first layer and you should be fine.

[Ghost91]

A company similar to Crosby's which an above poster mentioned would be a good bet.

The trouble is though, companies like this are often suppliers to formula one teams, making very expensive and profitable stuff - the overheads of places like this tend to be quite high so it would cost an absolute fortune for them to make stuff for a small customer.

If you could maybe make the moulds, laminate the parts yourself then perhaps it would be cheaper to bag them up and cure them at somewhere like that for less of a cost if pre-preg - or somewhere that specialises more in wet lay will be cheaper and easier but probably won't look quite as nice as an autoclave finished part.

Failing that there are smaller places that are more likely to be able to help for a lot less money. You're welcome to PM me and I can give you a list of companies who might be able to help.

Edited by Ghost91 on Wednesday 23 September 19:17

[Simpo Two]

Ghost91 said:

A company similar to Crosby's which an above poster mentioned would be a good bet.

The trouble is though, companies like this are often suppliers to formula one teams, making very expensive and profitable stuff

Yes, they're a few hundred yards from some tinpot outfit called Mercedes F1! (but as you're in the industry in Northants you probably knew that!)

[Ghost91]

Simpo Two said:

Yes, they're a few hundred yards from some tinpot outfit called Mercedes F1! (but as you're in the industry in Northants you probably knew that!)

Yes - I know a few of the lads at Crosby's, small world! Not only that but I believe they supply other teams and super car makers as well, and from what I hear they're pretty maxed out at the minute. There are loads of smaller places dotted around though that will be glad of the work I'm sure.