Racetracking channels

Along line injection gates Although the above racetracking channels are formed unintentionally, racetracking channels may be formed intentionally... 

The permeability of the preform specimens that are prepared from the same fabric roll by the same person may have significant variations. This is mainly due to the inconsistency in the fiber structure and racetracking channels which may vary from one experiment to the next. Slight variations in the preform ply layup and nesting effects may cause significant variations in the permeability. Hence it is necessary to perform experiments on a large number of specimens, and document the mean and standard deviation of the results. 

Fast remotely actuated channeling (FASTRAC) Hgure 9.6 shows a schematic of FASTRAC process which served as the inspiration for the VIPR process. A primary vacuum bag is placed over the fiber preform and vacuum is drawn as in a traditional VARTM process. The FASTRAC non-contacting tool is placed over the primary vacuum bag and covered with a secondary vacuum bag. The vacuum inside the primary vacuum bag is released which draws the primary vacuum bag into the channels of the FASTRAC non-contacting tool. These channels now serve as racetracking... 

---