Sunseeker
Versatile CIJECT machines deliver marine engineering excellence
Background
Headquartered in Poole, Dorset, Sunseeker is a British performance luxury motor yacht manufacturer, employing c.2,000 people and producing around 150 boats every year ranging from 38-161 feet in length.
Sunseeker are renowned for an uncompromising approach to innovative design and engineering excellence which has driven the brand to its pre-eminent position in the leisure marine industry today.
Challenge
Sunseeker approached the expert team at CI with a challenge to help them optimise the manufacture of large composite hulls, decks, and superwstructures. At the time, they were still infusing their composite mouldings by the conventional method, mixing resins manually and a vacuum infusing from buckets.
Sunseeker’s vision is to move all large infused mouldings “ from conventional infusion to direct infusion” using the appropriate range of machine’s CI has to offer. Sunskeeker asked CI:
- Can we make the process more efficient?
- Can we reduce wastage in the process?
- Can we maintain a consistent, repeatable mix ratio?
- Can we maintain quality and integrity standards in line with the brand’s reputation?
- Can we reduce the reliance on highly skilled people on the production line?
Solution
Working closely with Sunseeker, our CI experts:
- Assessed Sunseeker’s production process, tooling and equipment.
- Scoped out an Infusion strategy that would deliver to the scale and quality needed.
- Specified a versatile CIJECT 2 machine with flow meters to verify resin mix ratio.
- Specified an in mould pressure sensor and catch-pots to help automate the
- Installed and calibrated the production solution onsite.
- Trained Sunseeker’s staff, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to continue the process independently.
Results
Sunseeker have:
- Automated the Direct Infusion production of hulls using CIJECT 2 machines
- Extended the application of Direct Infusion and RTM methods to produce decks, hatches and frames requiring different recipes and setups through CIJECT 2 machines.
- Increased production efficiency.
- Reduced waste, utilising the optimised flush cycle on their CIJECt 2 machine.
- Reduced the reliance on highly skilled production line staff.
“Composite Integration worked with us to help our team move away from conventional infusion to Direct Infusion, using CIJECT equipment. Their level of support at every stage, and the resulting efficiency improvements should be commended.”
