Development of closed fiberglass molding process

Ashton Pools, Ponds & spa Inc.位于安大略省基奇纳，是优质玻璃纤维泳池的制造商和安装商。阿什顿主要采用玻璃纤维用于地下水池，因为它具有许多优点，如低维护，耐用，与盐系统兼容，能源效率，低化学品使用量等。目前，玻璃纤维池是使用开模工艺制造的，其中通过将玻璃纤维混合树脂喷涂到开模上形成3到4层，并一层一层地固化它们。然而，在层之间和层内部经常引入小孔隙，并且整个板的厚度变化是显著的。为了解决这些问题，阿什顿计划开发一种新的封闭模具工艺，将玻璃纤维和树脂注入男性和女性模具之间的封闭空间，以便在真空和/或温度应用的受控环境中进行固化。预计新工艺可以大大减少孔隙形成，有助于实现均匀厚度，并改善材料性能。然而，由于机械

Ashton Pools, Ponds & Spas Inc., located in Kitchener, Ontario, is the manufacturer and installer of quality fiberglass pools. Ashton mainly employs fiberglass for inground pools due to many advantages such as low maintenance, durability, compatibility with salt systems, energy efficiency, low chemical usage, and etc. Currently fiberglass pools are manufactured using an open mold process, where 3 to 4 layers are formed by spraying fiberglass mixed resin onto an open mold, and curing them, one layer by one layer. However, small pores are frequently introduced between and inside the layers and thickness variation is significant across the plate. To address these problems, Ashton plans to develop a new closed mold process where fiberglass and resin are infused into the closed space between male and female molds so that curing happens in the controlled environment with vacuum and/or temperature applied. It is expected that the new process can greatly reduce pore formation, help achieve uniform thickness, and improve material properties. However, since mechanical and failure properties of fiberglass change with various parameters such as vacuum pressure, curing time, plate thickness and temperature, the relationships between these parameters and the properties should be carefully investigated and determined to apply the new process to actual manufacturing. Therefore, main objectives of this project are to investigate the variations of mechanical and failure properties of multi-layered fiberglass with respect to various parameters in closed mold process, to develop an optimum design and process method for fiberglass pools. MADE-IN-CANADAs by small- and medium sized manufacturing companies are the most important sectors in Canadian economy. Ashton has a vision to develop the best products and export them to USA and worldwide, and the successful completion of this project can greatly help the company to achieve the vision with better pricing, improved quality, increased competitiveness and productivity. This will help strengthen the Canadian economy through job retention and creation in the small- and medium-sized manufacturing sector.