temperature stable direct tooling and a prototype dinghy for RS Sailing. Designated RS900, the vessel will compete with other manufacturers to become the next generation double handed sailing dinghy for the Olympics in the women's class.
The direct tooling from mouldCAM Europe was machined on its new state of the art tooling facility in Poole, Dorset using its 36m 5-axis machine. In total, it produced 12 direct mould tools and patterns for the project. Norco assisted RS Sailing in developing the build process and specifying materials, and within a few days of taking delivery of each tool, it produced mouldings ready for final assembly. Using a mixture of processes suited to each part – including epoxy wet lay-up vacuum bagging, infusion and prepreg, Norco manufactured all elements of the boat apart from the spars and rigging. Following successful sea trials last December, Norco is now building two further boats before Olympic trials in mid-March.
www.mouldcam.com
www.norco.co.uk