Rob: 

    You frequently have spoken of following the instructions with regard to intelligent infusion........... recent example below.   What I have is only a very rough idea of intelligent infusion.   I know that you advocate doing some of it on a flat MDF table with a melamine surface, and making three dimensional pieces in simple box molds of the same material.  That you include rebates or landings for interior bulkheads &c.  That you do not use flow media, but do use peel ply.  That vacuum is applied in some places and resin in others.... this could be vacuum in the center and resin sources along the edge, or vice versa, presumably strategically located, and with a means of blocking resin flow by valving or clamping a hose, possibly the same on the vacuum lines.   That the foam is grooved or scoured and perforated, that both sides are done at once, and various other tidbits of information.

    What I would like to know is where to order your book or DVD???     As it appears the "instructions" are available ONLY to HP builders who hold plans.   As things appear to stand I will have to develop the procedure by assembling the various scattered details and hints into a workable procedure using the "error and error" method.    The reasonable approach would be to buy some epoxy resin and glass, and some foam, peel ply, film tacky tape, etc, and build the amas for my canoemaran after perhaps doing a couple of tests on cheap blue XPS insulation foam that has been scoured or knife cut and drilled.  Initial experimental infusions to develop the technique could be done at low cost using a cheap foam and a cheap fabric like burlap, and an inexpensive epoxy.  I will need to find suitable suppliers for materials and supplies specific to infusion.  

    I've always been one who prefers to learn from the mistakes and successes of others as much as possible........... I've done an incredible amount of pioneering in various areas already!   I'd rather buy your book than write my own ;-(

                                                                                        H.W.

​I have had several failures due to pushing the limits and taking shortcuts to see what can be done.  There are several ways to screw up infusion, but if you follow the instructions, it is almost impossible.  The worst screw up would be to lose vacuum part way through, leaving half the job not wet out.  If this is likely, buy a second cheap vac pump and/or  a gen set.   

The other possible fatal screw up is incorrectly measured resin.  This is indeed catastrophic, but less of a worry than one or several of the many mixes required for hand laminating going wrong.  With the infusion, you know you have a problem.  With the hand lay up, you don't, or at least not until something fails while sailing.  

Non fatal screw ups would be: 

Dry areas due to resin flow being impeded, which won't happen if instructions are followed.  On the bag side, these are easily fixed (see Intelligent Infusion manual).  If on the mould side, they will require wetting out by hand (or infusion), vacuum bagging and some fairing, although less than that required if the whole job was hand laid.  

Intelligent Infusers are encouraged to do tests and make screw ups so they know what to look for.  

Extra resin in corners etc where the bag is bridging a corner or edge.  These are obvious during the set up and must be fixed.  They are not catastrophic, but the excess resin should be ground off, if for no other reason than it will make you more careful next time.  ;-)

My guess is that the risk increases with the size of the infusion since it takes more time, and there might be many hoses, clamps, buckets, etc, involved in a big infusion. And you have manually time these clamps/buckets and make sure the inlets doesn't breath air, I can imagine. So if you forget one thing...

​True, but it is still all in the set up.  Get that right and even the biggest job will go seamlessly

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​  Steinar used one hose and two buckets for his 70' lee hull half.  Inlets breathing air is not that big a deal.  As soon as it is clamped off or inserted in the resin bucket, any air that got in is removed.  ​

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