- Engineering and calculations
For this stage AXXON uses an experienced team of engineers who calculate, panel by panel , the forces applied to the mast taking in consideration various elements such as righting moment, chain plates location and the sail plan itself.
This information is translated into a lamination plan which positions the various layers and local doublers as well as the fiber orientation. - Mast plan
The AXXON design office draws the mast plan along with the details drawing where the different elements of a mast are finalized : spreaders, sheaves, goose neck, chain plates… - Lamination
It’s the stage where the various layers of pre-preg carbon are positioned into the female toolings. Debulkings are done after each layer off axis material and the vacuum.
Using pre-preg carbon will give you 2 advantages :
1. Perfect control of the fiber-resin ratio which gives us a very precise weight estimate
2. Optimum orientation of the unidirectional fibers which guarantees maximum compression strength (impossible to obtain in the filament winding process). - Autoclave
The curing in autoclave under pressure gives us a perfect laminate with minimum void and a perfect control of the curing temperature (8h curing going up to 125°). - Machining
Machining of carbon masts requires a high level skill with special diamond toolings in order to manufacture a top quality product with no risk of delamination and respecting the finest tolerance. - Finish
AXXON applies 3 to 12 layers of varnish or paint in order to protect the resin and fibers from the UV. - Assembly
All pieces are controlled, assembled and fit on the mast. The electric and electronic cable are run into a conduit tight up inside the mast and various brackets are fixed to the mast.
Manufacturing process
The innovative carbon mast company