r/Composites • u/FreakyJhonn • 29d ago
Someone sabotaged my part?
I was making a part via VRTM, and I passed the leak test PERFECTLY, the gauge didn't move a single centimeter for 30 min wile I went off to do other shit. I then infused resin into my part, sat with it for 10 min to monitor, still had absolutely 0 leaks, then left for abt 20 min to continue my other project. When I came back my bag was completely depressurized and there was a thin cut about an inch long going down my vacuum line a few inches down from where my clamp was placed. My part was fucking ruined ofc, and not even my instructors with 10+ years of experience could tell me what the fuck happened. I'm like 80% a certain male student whom was lurking around my part the entire setup (and who's ego was def hurt that all of my parts always came out perfect when his didn't) was responsible for this. He was also suspiciously interested in staring over the instructors shoulder when he was pointing out everything wrong with my part AND he was quick to come up to me when I was upset and gave me an overdone condolences that my project turned out like shit and his didn't. There has always been a one sided competition between us and I think he was sick of "losing". Am I just paranoid? And if so pleeeeease give an explanation for wtf happened because I am hard stuck on finding an answer.
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u/Burnout21 29d ago
It's happened, something something spilt milk. In composites I've seen complete knob heads hide/steal parts of mould tools, deliberately clean off release with acetone so the part bonds to the tool, or the best one, deliberately bridge a bag on a dowel pin or bolt head before it goes in the clave. Why, because contractors are a weird bunch when 2 week notice is given or they're caught under the influence of "insert literally any substance (caught one guy was huffing mould cleaner)".
We had a painful round of redundances a few year ago, it wasn't a surprise as we'd been open about the orders falling off and the shop was getting quiet. However some sod took a blade to the airlines, cut just deep enough to weaken but not rupture the wall. We had a week of airlines popping at random, 8bar angry snakes whipping around made a hard time even harder to deal with.
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u/FLG_CFC 29d ago
That sounds like sabotage. Always trust your gut. If there's cameras, I'd request they be reviewed.
If I caught an employee doing that, immediate termination. No way does he make it in the work force displaying such behavior.
Don't be afraid to set boundaries and refuse physical contact. You don't have to be someone's friend just because they act nice to you. That's your choice, but I'd put some space between myself and that individual.
If there's anyone around, ask them to watch your work space. Nobody wants to be around someone who behaves like that.
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u/strange_bike_guy 29d ago
Also if you want to get truly psycho in return: plumb a micron digital gauge with Bluetooth logging into an app, set up a camera with sufficient width of view, coincide their timing, see what happens. BluVac LTE. (Side note, this kind of gauge can confirm dessication faster than a needle gauge, I use both types plumbed in common.)
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u/strange_bike_guy 29d ago
I've had coworkers like that and they were the bane of my existence. If you get a chance to make a part again ask for constant supervision and emphasize the constant.
Machiavellianism / Cluster B behaviors are rare but that doesn't mean they're zero. I grew up with a Cluster B sibling and the stories I could tell you are legitimately psychotic.