Hand laminating

Hand lay-up laminates

A simple, manual molding method in which the product is produced by the overlapping of successive layers of suitable carrier materials.

The gel coat is applied in the first place by hand or spraying (using a special machine – SPRAY / GUN version).

The carrier materials that give laminates relevant physico -mechanical properties (eg. tensile strength, elasticity, impact and compression strength, etc.) are most commonly fiberglass, technical fabrics, veils, coremats which are impregnated by hand with properly chosen resin.

Advantages of the method

the ability to manufacture components that vary in terms of size, weight, complexity, construction, etc.
relatively short tools preparation time (model + one sided mold)
low start-up cost of production in the hand lay-up method,
the profitability of method, already at the unit and small-series order level,
the possibility of placing additional adaptation of the assembly and / or reinforcements (metal adaptations, PU foam, spacers, etc.)
the possibility to manufacture SANDWICH type laminates, for example: Coremat-laminate-laminate; laminat- Parabeam-laminate, laminate-PU-foam laminate, etc.

Limitations of the method

Apart from technical limitations each method has (eg. Technological radii, wall inclinations) production in this method is pretty much unlimited. It is possible to manufacture all types of items, even those with the highest degree of difficulty and complexity.

possibility to obtain only one gelcoat surface from the mold side (usually unilateral molds)
the quality of the laminate depends to a large extent on the worker’s skills, the wall thickness tolerance is in range of 0.5 to 0.7 mm,
high unit production cost – at relatively low gear cost.

KRZYSZTOF BRAJA
HEAD OF TECHNICAL DEPERTMENT
tel. +48 65 529 91 91 ext. 104
email: kbraja@astromal.pl

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Examples of technology application

Tram’s cabin

We are manufacturing self-supporting tram cabin and other elements of the tram both external and internal for our customer from France.

Thanks to the work on this project we gained a lot of valuable experience, particularly in terms of structure durability.

Casing elements for trains and locomotives

Front walls, external components, wall and ceiling linings, train driver cabin casing, and toilet cabins, desks, benches, seats- these are just some of the elements that we made for the railway industry.

Depending on the project, products are supplied ‘raw’, varnished or in gelcoat, equipped with metal adaptations, foams and other adaptations required by the customer.

Our laminates are produced in accordance with PN-EN-45545-2 flammability norm for rail vehicles. They are delivered to our clients professionally packed on racks what guarantees safe transport.

Bus casing elements

We manufactured countless parts for buses. Our portfolio includes components for public buses, coach buses and electrical buses.

We work with our customers based on their documentations or we design the elements for them. We are happy to advise our clients and share our experience.