The path to the finished product

Methods of construction

Knierim’s experienced engineers design steel substructures for customized moulds. Thanks to the cooperation with Knierim Yachtbau, Knierim Tooling can offer further services such as manufacturing fitting pieces, heating and cooling facilities.

The steel substructure will be covered with plywood on which a laminate made of multiple layers of E-glass with epoxy resin will be applied. For the next layer 50 mm of contoured balsa core and/or PVC foam is used. It is glued with epoxy resin using vacuum technology.

Computermodell eines Rotorblatts und einer Stahlunterkonstruktion auf Basis von Kundendaten
Computer design of a rotor blade model and steel substructure according to customer supplied data
Stahlunterkonstruktionen geben Urmodellen eine steife und langlebige Basis
Steel substructures are used in master plug construction for a stiff and durable base
Mit den Aufrechten der Stahlunterkonstruktion verschraubte Spanten, Leisten und eine Deckschicht aus Holz geben dem Urmodell seine Form
Wooden frames are attached to the uprights of the steel substructures giving the plug its shape
Die Sperrholzlage wird mit einem Glasfaserlaminat überzogen
Glass fibre laminate is applied on a layer of plywood
Nach dem Aufbringen des Balsaholzkerns folgt eine weitere Laminatschicht
Hand-laid laminate covers the balsa core
Auf das Laminat wird computergesteuert Epoxidpaste in präziser Stärke aufgebracht
High quality EP paste is applied on a laminate layer made of E-glass and epoxy resin
Nach dem Schruppen folgt das Schlichten, das der Paste eine glatte Oberfläche gibt und dem Modell die endgültige Form - zehntelmillimetergenau
Fine cutting the paste giving it a smooth surface

The core material will be machined before the next layer is laminated with E-glass and epoxy resin. Next is a vacuum test followed by the application of a high quality epoxy paste. Knierim Tooling uses premium pastes of renowned producers. Highly accurate paste application minimizes material waste and optimizes finishing times.

The paste will be precisely machined to the required geometry before scratch lines and marks are set. The last job is finishing the surface to customer’s needs in the range from sanding with P240 to polished EP or VE primer.

Thanks to the close co-operation with Knierim Yachtbau, Knierim Tooling can also offer services such as the manufacture of add-on parts, heaters and cooling systems.