VMS2 large marine infusion

case study
The supplier
Richmond Aerovac is based in Keighley, West Yorkshire and has subsidiaries in France and Italy. They
develop, manufacture and distribute high performance materials to the advanced composite industry. Their
product solutions include all vacuum bagging consumables for resin infusion and pre-preg
processing.
www.aerovac.com
The client
Southern Wind Shipyards is based in Cape Town, South Africa. They produce Semi-Custom Super
Yachts in the 72-120 foot range. All yachts are produced using high quality composite materials and the
structures are manufactured through the vacuum infusion process.
www.southernwindshipyard.com

SWS 100 foot RS Blues (100#11)

The summary
The client decided to use Richmond Aerovacs VMS2 to investigate potential
for improving process, reducing risk and optimising the overall quality of the
finished part. The client incorporated the VMS2 system into their
vacuum infusion network when
infusing a coach-roof and a
side-deck of the very successful
semi-custom 100 foot range.

VMS2 large marine infusion

case study
The problem in further detail
The infusion of a coach-roof is more complicated versus a more conventional infusion such as a hull. The
complex geometry and differentials in height, as well as areas for race tracking (observed in areas where
there are preferential lines for resin flow) make this part of the process more difficult, and the potential for
dry areas and poor resin impregnation is higher.
The chosen soution
The infusion plan was kept to the clients existing network design.
Richmond Aerovac products
VMS2
VMS2 sealant tape
Vacfilm 400Y
VI1 infusion mesh
LTS90B sealant tape

Other products
Prime 20 LV infusion resin
Carbon 400g/m Biax 45
Carbon 600g/m Biax 0/90

How the solution was applied

Before any new infusion system is used or modification made to and existing network design,
Richmond Aerovac recommend that small scale
trials are carried out using the laminate specification
to determine correct flow rates and fill times.
The first major advantage of VMS2 on the
coach-roof infusion was that sixty 0.5 ball valves
previously used to control the vacuum system were
not necessary. The key quality of the VMS2 is that is
doesnt allow resin to enter the vacuum lines,
effectively creating a self controlling filter. Areas
where the resin completes its travel are
automatically isolated by the VMS2 once the area
is fully impregnated with resin.

The second significant effect of using VMS2 is that

resin does not enter the vacuum lines, making them
reusable and therefore also potentially saving a
huge volume of resin.

Complex geometries and differentials in height

Preferential lines
Coach-roof showing race tracking around deck hatch

VMS2 large marine infusion

case study
In future infusions, the client intends to alter the
infusion network to take full advantage of the
properties of the VMS2. This will

Reduce labour time

Optimise consumable usage
Reduce the overall waste
Simplify the layout of the vacuum system
Reduce the number of vacuum connections

The results
Very good resin to
fibre ratio can be
achieved; 67%
fibre and 33% resin
content by weight.
Visually, the
laminates are
significantly
improved with no dry spots or low resin content
areas observed.
The various resin flow fronts are continuously
drawn to the vacuum outlet even when the resin
is in contact with it in the areas that have
completely filled.
25% resin saving due to a more accurate resin to
fibre ratio throughout the laminate and zero resin
loss into the vacuum system.

VMS2 releases from the laminate very easily,

leaving minimal imprint on the laminate surface
after infusion. On monolithic laminates this
reduces the risk of print through to the finished
(gelcoat) surface.
As the VMS2 contains no resin from the infusion,
there is no high exotherm in the network which,
when using conventional spiral systems, can be a
major problem which will severely damage
laminates during the resin gelation and cure
phase.
The resin savings that
will be observed on
any infusion are
dependant on the
resin losses in the
system of the original
network design before
the use of VMS2 and,
whilst Richmond
Aerovac cannot guarantee what level of
savings will be
observed, it is clear
that on large infusions
with complex vacuum
networks the potential
resin savings can be significant. VMS2 was
designed to assist in making a higher quality
laminate through improved resin to fibre ratios, and
resin savings are an added benefit as a result of
this.

VMS2 large marine infusion

case study

The hull before infusion and after - minimal mark-off on the finished laminate with VMS2.

The conclusion
VMS2 is a significant improvement for any company currently infusing, or planning to start infusing. As
with any system, there are limitations, but from the clients use to date of VMS2, they can see potential
savings in the following areas:
Labour reduction:
Resin savings:
Quality:
Laminate properties:

Infusion network setup (VMS2) and reduction as infusion lines reusable

after use due to no resin being drawn into the lines.
25% saving due to ratio to fibre and zero resin loss into the vacuum system.
Visually laminated impoved, results of testing have not yet been received.
In-house testing confirms potential for 67% fibre and 33% resin content by
weight.

Since writing, the client has gone on to introduce VMS2 into more of their infusions, including hulls.
VMS2 is the ultimate weapon against dry spots.
- Gilbert Mathely, head of R&D, Richmond Aerovac
We had a 15% labour saving in setting up the infusion
network, a saving of resin, visually improved
laminates and test results showing the laminate
properties to be 67% fibre and 33% resin content.
- Nic Prentice, Southern Wind Shipyard
For more information please contact:
Southern Wind Shipyards
Nic Prentice
0027 21 6301098

Richmond Aerovac
James Bonnett
0044 1274 550500