The carbon skinning process, also known as wet layup or wet lay-up, is a technique used in the manufacture of composite materials, specifically carbon fiber composites. Here’s a detailed description of the process:

1. Preparation of Materials:
   - Carbon Fiber Fabric: High-quality carbon fiber fabric is selected based on the specific requirements of the part being produced. The fabric may vary in weave pattern (such as plain weave or twill weave) and weight (measured in grams per square meter).



2. Laying Up the Layers:
   - The carbon fiber fabric is cut into the desired shapes and sizes according to the part’s design.
   - As each layer is placed, it is saturated with the resin using brushes or rollers. This ensures that the fabric is fully impregnated with resin, allowing for optimal adhesion and consolidation of the layers.

3. Curing:
   - Once the layup is completed and air bubbles are removed, the composite part is allowed to cure. Curing involves the resin system undergoing a chemical reaction (often heat-activated) that transforms it from a liquid to a solid state.
   - Curing times and temperatures vary depending on the specific resin system used, but this step is critical for achieving the final mechanical properties of the composite.



4. Demolding and Finishing:
   - After curing, the composite part is carefully demolded from the mold. Any excess material or flash is trimmed and the part may undergo additional finishing processes such as sanding or machining to achieve the final dimensions and surface quality.

5. Quality Control:
   - Throughout the entire process, quality control measures are implemented to ensure that the finished composite part meets the required specifications and standards. This may include dimensional checks, visual inspections, and mechanical testing.

The carbon wet lay process offers flexibility in design and is suitable for producing a wide range of composite parts, from simple flat panels to complex contoured structures. It combines the high strength-to-weight ratio of carbon fiber with the versatility of resin systems, making it a preferred method in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment manufacturing.

The carbon wet lay vacuum bag process combines aspects of both wet layup and vacuum bagging techniques to produce high-quality carbon fiber composite parts. Here's a detailed explanation of the process:

1. Preparation of Materials:
   - **Carbon Fiber Fabric:** High-quality carbon fiber fabric is selected based on the specific requirements of the part being produced. The fabric may vary in weave pattern (such as plain weave or twill weave) and weight (measured in grams per square meter).
   - **Resin:** A compatible resin system is chosen, typically an epoxy resin, which is mixed with a hardener or curing agent. The resin system must match the properties needed for the final composite, including strength, stiffness, and durability.
   - **Mold:** A mold, usually made of metal or composite material, is prepared. The mold’s surface is cleaned thoroughly and often treated with a mold release agent to facilitate easy removal of the cured part.

2. Laying Up the Layers:
   - The carbon fiber fabric is cut into the desired shapes and sizes according to the part’s design. .
   - As each layer is placed, it is saturated with the resin using brushes or rollers. This ensures that the fabric is fully impregnated with resin, allowing for optimal adhesion and consolidation of the layers.

3. Vacuum Bagging Setup:
   - Once the layup is completed, a layer of vacuum bagging materials is prepared on top of the layup. This typically includes a peel ply (to facilitate later surface preparation), a breather cloth (to absorb excess resin and aid in air evacuation), and a vacuum bag.
   - The vacuum bag is laid over the entire layup and sealed around the edges of the mold using vacuum bag sealant tape. A vacuum port and tubing are attached to the vacuum bag to connect it to the vacuum source.

4. Vacuum Application:
   - A vacuum pump is used to evacuate the air from inside the vacuum bag. As the air is removed, atmospheric pressure compresses the materials in the mold, ensuring good resin flow and consolidation of the composite layers.
   - The vacuum pressure helps to remove any trapped air and excess resin from the layup, minimizing voids and improving the overall quality of the composite part.

5. Curing:
   - Once the resin is applied and any infusion process is complete, the mold with the layup and vacuum bag remains under vacuum conditions as the resin cures. Curing may occur at ambient temperature or involve applying controlled heat, depending on the resin system used.
   - Curing times and temperatures are controlled to achieve the desired mechanical properties of the composite part.

6. Demolding and Finishing:
   - After curing, the vacuum bagging materials are carefully removed from the mold, leaving behind the cured composite part.
   - Any excess material or flash is trimmed, and the part may undergo additional finishing processes such as sanding or machining to achieve the final dimensions and surface quality.

7. Quality Control:
   - Throughout the entire process, quality control measures are implemented to ensure that the finished composite part meets the required specifications and standards. This includes dimensional checks, visual inspections, and mechanical testing to verify strength, stiffness, and other properties.

The carbon wet lay vacuum bag process combines the simplicity of wet layup with the controlled environment of vacuum bagging, resulting in composite parts that are strong, lightweight, and suitable for a wide range of applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and sports equipment.

The carbon fiber vacuum infusion process, also known as resin infusion or vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), is a method used to manufacture composite parts, particularly those reinforced with carbon fiber. Here’s a detailed explanation of the process:

1. Preparation of Materials:
   - **Mold:** A mold, typically made of composite materials, metal, or a combination thereof, is prepared for the part being produced. The mold must have a smooth and clean surface and may be treated with a mold release agent.
   - **Carbon Fiber Reinforcements:** High-quality carbon fiber reinforcements, such as woven fabric or unidirectional tapes, are cut to the desired shape and size. The selection of carbon fiber reinforcements depends on the specific mechanical properties required for the final part.
   - **Resin System:** A compatible resin system is chosen, often epoxy resin, which is mixed with a hardener or curing agent. The resin system is selected based on factors such as strength, stiffness, and heat resistance required for the application.

2. Preparation of Vacuum Bagging Materials:
   - Layers of consumable materials are prepared on top of the laid-up carbon fiber reinforcement. These layers include a peel ply (to facilitate the removal of excess resin), a distribution medium (to evenly distribute resin throughout the part), and a vacuum bag (to create a sealed environment).

 3. Assembly of Layup Stack 
   - The carbon fiber reinforcements are laid up in the mold in the desired orientation and sequence. This layup stack may include multiple layers of carbon fiber, each oriented to optimize the mechanical properties of the final part.
   - On top of the carbon fiber stack, the peel ply, distribution medium, and vacuum bagging materials are carefully placed, ensuring there are no wrinkles or leaks that could compromise the vacuum integrity.

4. Vacuum Setup:
   - A vacuum line is connected to the vacuum bagging materials, and a vacuum pump is used to evacuate the air from the sealed environment. As the air is removed, atmospheric pressure compresses the materials in the mold and applies pressure to the resin infusion process.

5. Resin Infusion:
   - The resin infusion process begins by introducing the mixed resin system into the mold. This is typically done at a specific point in the vacuum bag where resin feed lines are connected.
   - The resin flows through the carbon fiber reinforcement stack due to the pressure differential created by the vacuum. The resin wets out the carbon fibers and impregnates the entire layup stack.
   - Excess resin and air are pushed out of the mold through the vacuum bag, ensuring that the part is fully infused with resin without voids.

6. Curing:
   - Once the resin infusion is complete and the part is saturated with resin, the curing process begins. This may involve allowing the part to cure at ambient temperature or applying heat to accelerate the curing reaction, depending on the resin system used.
   - Curing times and temperatures are controlled to achieve the desired mechanical properties of the composite part.

7. Demolding and Finishing:
   - After curing, the vacuum bagging materials are removed, and the cured composite part is carefully demolded from the mold.
   - Any excess material or flash is trimmed, and the part may undergo additional finishing processes such as sanding or machining to achieve the final dimensions and surface quality.

8. Quality Control:
   - Throughout the entire process, quality control measures are implemented to ensure that the finished composite part meets the required specifications and standards. This includes dimensional checks, visual inspections, and mechanical testing to verify strength, stiffness, and other properties.

The carbon fiber vacuum infusion process allows for the production of complex, lightweight composite parts with excellent strength-to-weight ratios. It is widely used in industries such as aerospace, marine, automotive, and renewable energy due to its ability to produce high-performance parts efficiently and with minimal waste.