What Are the Processing Differences Between Single-Curved GRC Panels and Double-Curved GRC Panels?

The processing difference between single-curved GRC panels and double-curved GRC panels is essentially the fundamental distinction between "two-dimensional surfaces" and "three-dimensional surfaces" in mold technology, production forming, and quality control, with their complexity and cost typically growing exponentially. Qinglong Group's successful practice in projects such as the Wuhan Han Show Theatre (double-curved) and the Nanning New Media Center (a mix of single- and double-curved panels) profoundly reveals the full-process differences between these two types of components from digital design to precision manufacturing.

Mold making is the primary point of difference. Single-curved panels (such as cylindrical or conical surfaces) have curvature in only one direction, and their molds can usually be made through simple bending or CNC engraving, with lower-cost materials such as wood, GRP, or aluminum typically selected. Double-curved panels (such as spherical or saddle surfaces), however, have curvature changes in two perpendicular directions and must be precision-engraved in three dimensions using five-axis linked CNC machines on high-strength steel or aerospace aluminum to ensure surface smoothness; such molds are costly and take a long time to fabricate.

Material application and forming processes directly affect component quality. When spraying fiber mortar onto single-curved panels, the slurry flow is relatively controllable, making uniform application easy to achieve mechanically or manually. For double-curved panels, however, especially in areas with large curvature changes, the slurry tends to flow downward under gravity, resulting in uneven thickness. Qinglong's experience is that spraying must be performed by experienced workers using "positioned, measured" application, and critical areas must adopt a "multiple thin sprays" approach supplemented with specialized compaction tools to ensure uniform fiber distribution and the designed thickness.

Demolding difficulty and yield rates differ significantly. Demolding single-curved panels is relatively simple, usually achieved smoothly along the direction of curvature. Double-curved panels, however, may exhibit a "mold locking" phenomenon that makes demolding extremely difficult; molds must be designed as detachable combined molds, and the demolding sequence must be precisely planned, as any improper operation may damage the component or the mold. Therefore, producing double-curved panels places extremely high demands on mold design and workers' operating skills, and yield control is a major challenge.

Inspection and installation precision requirements differ. Geometric dimension inspection of single-curved panels is relatively simple, whereas double-curved panels require 3D laser scanning for full-field deviation analysis to ensure each panel can be accurately positioned in space. It is precisely these substantial processing differences that make double-curved GRC panels a touchstone for measuring a manufacturer's technical strength.