Baja Marine expands its use of closed molding

swadminFebruary 10, 2006

BUCYRUS, Ohio – Performance boat builder Baja Marine is switching from open molding to closed molding for large parts, including hulls up to 40 feet (12 meters) in length, the company reported in a recent statement.

For help with the process transition, Baja Marine turned to resin supplier AOC for its HydroPro closed mold marine resin technology. In close coordination with Baja Marine, AOC chemists designed and refined a HydroPro high performance vinylester resin blend for marine closed molding.

“AOC worked with us to develop a resin that provides the optimum flow, wetting, gel and cure requirements,” said Bill Regan, vice president of operations at Baja Marine. “We are able to adjust the cure cycle to suit both our closed mold technologies – resin infusion and our in-house-developed variation of Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) light called ‘FAST’ for Fiber-reinforced Advanced System Technology.”

Closed molding helps Baja, owned by Brunswick Corp., comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules for lower emissions of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP). However, according to Regan, the company’s move to closed molding has as much to do with improved quality and consistency as it has to do with meeting lower HAP standards.

“Closed molding creates a higher fiber-to-resin ratio, greater manufacturing consistency and significant reduction in weight for stronger, faster boats,” said Regan. “Plus, it greatly reduces cycle times and makes for a more worker-friendly environment.”