NC MARTEC / Composites One Closed Molding Boot Camp Resounding Success

Over one hundred boat builders from Ohio to Florida and across North Carolina participated in a "Closed Molding Boot Camp" sponsored by Carteret Community College's NC MARTEC and Composites One. The sessions were held April 12-13. The sessions on closed molding included live demonstrations on Lite Resin Transfer Molding (Lite RTM), Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP), and Closed Cavity Bag Molding (CCBM).

Andre Cocquyt, of GRPguru.com led the class through the VIP infusion of a Jones Brothers Marine skiff. Doug Smith of RTM North demonstrated the Lite RTM process by infusing a 16 ft sailboat deck.
He also demonstrated vacuum infusion utilizing a reusable silicon bag (CCBM).

Participants benefited from interacting with national technical experts from the major infusion suppliers: Composites One, Owens Corning (fiberglass fabrics), Magnum Venus (resin injection equipment), Alcan Baltek (core materials), Cook Composites and Polymers (resins) and AIRTECH (infusion flow materials), and Plexus (adhesives). In addition to the above companies - Professional BoatBuilder Magazine participated in sponsorship of the event.


A 3-day Introduction to Closed Molding NCMARTEC / Composites One Closed Molding Boot Camp Resounding Success

Over one hundred boat builders from Ohio to Florida and across North Carolina participated in a "Closed Molding Boot Camp" sponsored by Carteret Community College's NCMARTEC and Composites One. The sessions were held April 12-13.
The sessions on closed molding included live demonstrations on Lite Resin Transfer Molding (Lite RTM), Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP), and Closed Cavity Bag Molding (CCBM).

Andre Cocquyt, of GRPguru.com led the class through the VIP infusion of a Jones Brothers Marine skiff. Doug Smith of RTM North demonstrated the Lite RTM process by infusing a 16 ft sailboat deck.
He also demonstrated vacuum infusion utilizing a reusable silicon bag (CCBM).

Participants benefitted from interacting with national technical experts from the major infusion suppliers: Composites One, Owens Corning (fiberglass fabrics), Magnum Venus (resin injection equipment), Alcan Baltek (core materials), Cook Composites and Polymers (resins) and AIRTECH (infusion flow materials), and Plexus (adhesives). In addition to the above companies - Professional BoatBuilder Magazine participated in sponsorship of the event.


A 3-day Introduction to Closed Molding class will be held in the Fall. This course is recommended for those with no closed molding experience.

A 5-day Advanced CMT (Closed Molding Technician) Training will also be held in the Fall. This hands-on course will focus on attendees with existing closed molding skills and who are ready to implement the process in their shops.
 

College of the Albemarle (COA) Update
Contact: Teresa James, Dean, Dare County Campus, 252-473-2264, Ext. 235 tjames@albemarle.cc.nc.us

Mastering Marine Hook-Ups
Review: A recently held two-day technical training seminar on "Mastering Marine Hook-Ups" involved 38 students representing regional boat builders who attended the classes taught by representatives from FCI Watermakers, Headhunter, Eskimo Ice, Dometic-Cruisair-Marine, and Southeastern Foundries. The boat companies involved were Briglia Boatworks, Bayliss Boatworks, Blackwell Boatworks, Calyber, Holton Custom Yachts, Paul Mann Custom Boats, and Spencer Yachts.

Other Activities:

COA continues to grow the Boat Building Certification program with help from the Dare County Marine Industry Association and the NC NorthEast Partnership.

Students are in the middle of Boat Building II, Marine Electrical II, and Welding II. Next semester starts in September with a repeat of Boat Building I, Marine Engines, Marine Electrical, Marine Electronics, and Welding. In the fall we will add Marine Cabinetry and Carpentry I, Marine Hook-Ups, and Marine Composite Constructions.

COA can help with specialized training including special FIT money (Focused Industrial Training dollars) and New and Expanding Industry dollars (NIT).

Woodworker Fair/Expo
Woodworker's Supply hosted a Woodworker Fair/Expo with COA at the old Manteo Middle School. Representatives from Bosch, Delta, Porter-Cable, DeWalt, Wood Tek, and Freud were on hand with new products, samples, and freebies--including doughnuts and coffee, hot dogs and soft drinks.

McDowell Technical Community College

Taking advantage of the state's training assistance for new and expanding businesses; training representatives at McDowell Technical Community College are now working with the state's newest boat builder, Cobia, to set up employee training programs as Cobia comes into production.

[If you know of other NC boating industry training or worker education programs, let me know and I will add the information to newsletters and specific industry emails like this one.]

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