Laminate Design Example

Vectorply provides customers with laminate design recommendations and comparison studies tailored to the customer's specific requirements. Whether the goal is to improve on existing laminates and practices or design a new laminate, the laminate report presents in clear, concise language the information needed to make sound decisions.

 

Example: 45 foot offshore fishing boat

Goals:

1. Reduce labor cost where possible in laminate fabrication.
2. Compare the properties of an infused laminate to open mold.
3. Using DNV guidelines compare laminates for deflection and strength.

 

Step 1 – Laminate Construction

 

 

The laminate page shows layer-by-layer comparison of current practice to two alternatives. In this example the builder is shown a comparison between current open mold practice, a reduced labor cost using LaborSaver reinforcements, and an infused option using VectorFusion, infusion specific reinforcements.

 

Step 2 – DNV (Det Norske Veritas): Laminate design to International standards

 

 

Existing laminates and new designs can be verified by DNV, an international design standard. Hull dimensions, displacement, service speed, largest unsupported panel, and intended service use are part of the equation to generate bottom pressures, vertical acceleration and other data that help engineers design the most appropriate laminate.

 

 

The VectorLam DNV graph illustrates a pass or fail status for each laminate. The 1.0 line includes a safety factor of 3. Information like this provides designers with a defined path for such critical components such as reinforcement type, resin, processing, and panel size and location.

 

 

The VectorLam DNV graph illustrates a "pass or fail" status for each laminate. The 1.0 line includes a safety factor of 3. Information like this provides designers with a defined path for such critical components such as reinforcement type, resin, processing, and panel size and location.

 

 

Step 3 – Compare the basics: stiffness, strength, weight, & cost

 

 

Graphs like this "Stiffness, EI" illustration, compare laminates on the basis of stiffness, strength, weight, and cost. This allows designers and builders to play "what if" scenarios with laminate design long before the building process begins. In this scenario, the current bottom laminate is well overbuilt, and both labor and weight can be reduced with the other options while still providing sufficient stiffness and strength. Laminate weight is reduced 8% in the LaborSaver Bottom and 10% in the VectorFusion Bottom. The number of layers is also reduced by 2 and 4, respectively.

 

Step 4 – Construction detail

 

 

Each laminate report includes construction suggestions for the major components such as strakes, stringers, and hull bottom to side intersection. Laminate reports are available in hard copy or electronic file format.

 

For more information on how you can benefit from this unique service please contact your nearest Vectorply distributor or call Vectorply Corporation headquarters at 1 800-577-4521.