[BHawthorne]

Where would be a good location to get information on how to do mold tooling for composites from body panels such as an aircraft, boat or car? I'm looking for a method that is nondestructive to the finish of whatever I'm molding. This would be a hobby project, so I'm looking for cost effective solutions. Is there something like a poured foam that could be used then popped off once dry?

[OzDragonflyer]

There's lot of information from google.

CST online has some useful information for those starting out.

http://cstsales.com/tutorials.html

As for the foam question... not really. The first layer used on a pattern or plug (or body panel) is usually a tooling resin or gelcoat, which conforms closely to the shape and gives the resulting mold a hard surface.

[willdubiel]

I have recently acquired acess to incredible composite tooling resources, and have gone through many of the same hurdles you're probably facing. I'm willing to collaborate, and share info if you're interested. Specifically, I'm using two 7-axis robotic mills (53' x 20' x 10' capacity) to cut foam and epoxy paste plugs and molds for composite manufacturing. In addition to the robotic mills, I have acess to a fiberglass cutting CNC machine, two table CNC routers, experienced mold-room, and a metal fabrication shop. The robots have been previosly used to produce tooling for hulls, decks, small parts like hatches, interior fiberglass structures for retail stores, prototypes, etc...
Facility is in Rhode Island, United States.
Please contact me for more info.

Will Dubiel
[email protected]
+1 860-857-6568

[antsals]

What is best material to use for cost effective mould manufacture? Moulds that can be used a few times or for life? Wood, Plastics, Metals?

Cheer
Ant