'Lacquered carbon weave' - a finish to be proud of
04 January 2013
Niche automotive manufacturer, Noble gets its prototypes and low volume composite production parts from materials specialist, ARRK. During the course of development, the Nuneaton based supplier suggested an alternative to conventional body paintwork for its customer's high-performance M600 supercar - a special finish that took full advantage of the carbon fibre fabric surface texture.
Precision engineering, immaculate handling, real performance, lightning response - yes, that's everything the Noble M600 supercar can offer, but ARRK also likes to think that this description genuinely reflects the services it offers its clients! As one of Noble's key suppliers, ARRK provides a number of product development services, including prototypes and composites, as well as carrying out low volume manufacturing of production components.
The ARRK team, based in Nuneaton, have worked closely with their opposite numbers at Noble, not just to understand their immediate production needs, but to offer its expertise in the latest processes and specialist materials that combine to make the Noble M600 such a head-turner. ARRK claims that its knowledge of materials, coupled with an ability to provide low volume production components to a tight schedule, makes it a perfect partner for clients, like Noble, operating in niche, specialised markets.
The main centre section, rear body, front nose and inner and outer door panels are fabricated from carbon fibre composites, which reduce the vehicle’s weight, and so improve its responsiveness and exceptional performance.
The original model was fully painted; however, with an eye to market trends and through a process of innovation and development, the team tried its hand at producing vehicles with a coloured carbon weave roof, which is then lacquered and polished, giving it a particularly exclusive and individual appearance.
Such was the impact of the lacquered carbon weave effect, that some of Noble’s clients are now choosing to have the complete vehicle manufactured in this way.
Thanks to some pretty deft craftsmanship that ensures a precision join and balance of the weave, the Nuneaton team have managed to make the vehicle look as if it has been produced from a single roll of fabric.
From the moment the carbon fibre material is cut, through to lay up, the parts are continually checked and validated to maintain the highest quality of finish. Once produced, the parts are trimmed, drilled and inspected once more to ensure that they meet the specifications. The components are then assembled to ensure material alignment before sign off, and from here the sections are delivered directly to Noble for assembly.
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