It’s 4AM. While the first sunbeams enlighten the workshop through the roof windows, the exhausted production crew makes the finishing touches to the vacuum bag, which needs to press the DSM resin through the last layers of TexTreme carbon fibre. Last week many nights were very short, as the deadline for Nuna7’s coating from Akzonobel’s Sikkens was nearing. ‘Add another vacuum hose’, says a voice from beneath the topshell, while the four linked hoses continue the air drainage. Slowly but surely the bag is sucked vacuum with light screeching. Tired but confident, the five production crew members watch the resins sipe through the fluffy breather. The last lamination of Nuna7 was completed.
The last week at Schaap Composites in Lelystad were occupied with laminating and fitting the carbon layers. To perform optimally in Australia, all the parts must fit each other seamlessly: sanding, putting, sanding, just as long until the seam was barely tangible. The production crew worked hard to achieve this. The result: Nuna7 is now at Sikkens for its layer of putty, the tools and molds were transported back and the production crew was reunited with ‘team Delft’. It’s time to become a true racing team.
It is very difficult to imagine that we built a complete car in three months, from the ground up. That is why we are slightly nostalgic about our production time, but can’t wait to test and race the car with the rest of the team. The production crew wants to thank everyone in Lelystad with the great times they had there: Schaap Composites for its helpfulness and great facilities and the city for its hospitality.
Want to see more production pictures? Look at http://www.nuonsolarteam.nl/gallerij/