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| Formula 1 carbon bodywork |
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| Formula 1 carbon bodywork |
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HIGHTECH / F-1
Today compound carbon materials play a vital role in Formula
1 racing cars. The extremely light and aerodynamically optimised
bodywork components are for example made from a carbon compound.
In addition to the fast-revving high performance engines and
modern vehicle electronics, the uncompromising lightweight structure
of the outer skin has contributed to an unprecedented leap in
Formula 1 performance.
To keep up with the leaders, the bodywork and wings are constantly
being developed and aerodynamically improved. Some important
components of the Sauber bodywork are supplied by us. We build
them to the tight tolerances of top class motor racing.
HOW THE BODYWORK IS BUILT
The bodywork is designed using a CAD program on a PC. This drawing
is then used to drive a five-coordinate machine tool which mills
the model elements from a special material that is later used
to constitute the original mould. The negative mould is then
obtained by over-laminating with carbon fibre fabric (illustration).
The inside of the negative is carefully coated with several
layers of a carbon fibre compound. To adapt the fibres to the
mould, the material is heated with the aid of an air dryer.
This enables the fibres to be bonded and formed more readily.
The number of layers varies in the bodywork from area to area;
parts of the vehicle which are more heavily stressed logically
need more layers. As soon as the necessary number of layers
has been applied to the mould, the whole structure is welded
into a film and placed in a vacuum. The mould is then heated
under pressure in the autoclave and the layers are quite literally
sucked against the mould. The high temperatures release the
resin within the fibre and the pressure of up to 7 bars compresses
the layers together. During this process the resin sets and
combines with the carbon fibre. The mould sets after 5 to 24
hours depending on the resin structure. |
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PaucoPlast AG
Talstrasse 14
8852 Altendorf
Fon +41 55 451 11 44
Fax +41 55 451 11 49
info
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