Re: Formica

["Chris Crouch" <eccrouch@cpol.net>]

Over the summer we a couple of different molds and some prototype composite
parts. We used formica as a mold surface, usually just rubber cement
adhesive to the mold frame which consisted of sheet plywood supported by
framed of 2x4's. Formica (hi gloss) was one of the easiest molds I have ever
had the pleasure of pulling apart. The biggest part the company I worked for
has ever made was a propeller for a Navy Flat top. While I was there we made
4 or 5 scaled hulls for a Boston's group sail boat entry for the America's
Cup. The largest part I helped with was a composite mold for a sound
dampening panels on the Navy's nuclear subs. We also did some work on the
air bladders of an Alvin (we received a the plastic bladder and covered it
with woven glass and epoxy buffed it coated it and sent it away). I also got
to work on a Bookstore center piece (2,000 gallon aquarium for a Dalton's
Bookstore that was being put in the MD bay area).

One important note about formica: when pulling the mold off of the formica
be prepared for a serious static buildup. One guy has gotten hit so hard
that he won't come out on the shop floor during the winter time.

Good luck and sorry about the confusion
Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: D. Blake <dblake@bright.net>
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 10:57 PM
Subject: Formica


>Hello Chris:
>Are you suggesting a Formica surface for the hull?  What would the process
>involve in laminating the surface material to the fiberglass pressure hull?
>As a teenager, I worked for a company called Allied Sinktop on Kingston
Ave.
>in Columbus, Ohio.  I made so many Wendy's newsprint cafe tables, I saw
them
>in my sleep.  We laminated the formica to a particle board base by way of a
>2-part adhesive under heat and vacuum.  How do you imtend, or suggest the
>same process be applied to a pressure hull as Paul suggests?
>Don't get me wrong, the idea of applying a bulletproof material like
formica
>as a surface treatment sounds exciting.  Especially with the wide variety
of
>patterns available.  It just seems unusual.
>Big Dave
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Chris Crouch <eccrouch@cpol.net>
>To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
>Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 10:57 PM
>Subject: Re: Nuclear sub
>
>
>>Hey Paul,
>>    I am a plastics Major working on designing a sub. Have to agree
>>reinventing the wheel is more fun than applying existing technology, but I
>>got my head full of information just trying to make heads or tails of it
>>all. If I can give you any help on your sub let me know. I can tell you
>that
>>as far as finishes go on subs laminating on formica surfaces will give you
>>mirror like finishes, if I can help let me know. I did a summer of
>>composites work in MD doesn't make me an expert but I have gotten my hands
>>dirty on a lot of fun projects.
>>
>>Chris
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Paul Suds <paul_suds@hotmail.com>
>>To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
>>Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 4:18 PM
>>Subject: Nuclear sub
>>
>>
>>>Hi guys. I usually can't wait to get on the net and read your e-mails.
>>>Unfortunately, the Nuclear Plant where I work has been refueling for the
>>>last month, and I haven't had time to read all the e-mails. I've just
>spent
>>>the last hr reading all the e-mails. As the kids say "cool". I think I've
>>>missed out on some good discussions. Too bad we can't use some of that
>>spent
>>>nuclear fuel with it's decay heat as a fuel source, ha.
>>>I've finally finished my clay model of my sub. I plan on making the final
>>>unit out of fiber glass and epoxy impregnated fiber. I also saw some of
>>your
>>>e-mails on propulsion. I've done a myriad of calcs, and think I can get
>>>about 13 knotts for an hr. I've found a couple of web sites on jet pumps
>>>(www.solas.com) and the australians have a sport called jet boating
>>>(jetsprint.org). I've also talked to some fellow engineers at bombadier
>and
>>>have gotten some old design guides for the impeller and volute. I plan on
>>>making a variable pressure cavitation tunnel to test my propulsion
device.
>>>This may sound like reinventing the wheel, but hey I enjoy it, and I tend
>>to
>>>learn more this way.
>>>Now if I could only get some of that spent nuclear fuel..... Suds
>>>
>>>______________________________________________________
>>>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>>