Escapa 42 High Tech Construction
27 September 2006
Meetings with the Shareholders and Staff at XXX Marine Australia have culminated in the decision to build the Escapa 42 Deck & Flybridge utilising the latest in Fibreglass composite technology.
XXX Marine Australia will adopt the Infusion Laminate process.
In brief the glass fibre reinforcement (including a flow media) is placed into the mould and shaped to fit. A flexible bag or structured inner liner is then placed into the mould to locate the reinforcement and any inclusions such as fixing plates etc. The cavity created by the glass is evacuated by vacuum and then the resin is infused or drawn into the reinforcement matrix through injection ports. Mould flow of resin is controlled so that wet-out of the reinforcement is 100% with no voiding or air entrapment in the laminate. In the process a very precise resin to glass ratio is achieved yielding optimum mechanical properties, predictable and uniform laminate thickness and excellent surface finish to the inner faces.
The boat building industry must move forward to this technology sooner or later, and as we are at this decision stage, it became obvious that this is the way for us to continue.
Massive weight savings, quality of finish and gains in strength are just some of the benefits. Ecologically, it is clean and makes for a much more pleasant work environment.
Below is a picture of some of the first components of the Escapa 42 to be infused at XXX Marine Australia.
