Filament Winding Machinery by TCR Composites

Let's learn more about filament winding!

Filament winding consists of winding continuous rovings of fiber onto a rotating mandrel in predetermined patterns. This method of manufacturing provides the greatest control over fiber placement and uniformity of structure.

The mandrel configuration corresponds to the internal surface of the component to be produced. Material compaction is accomplished owing to the component of the tensile stress normal to the mandrel surface. Material layers are formed with each wind offset with respect to the previous one across the width. Also, the winds are placed on the mandrel in a state of static balance (they keep it in place without sliding).

The winding pattern is formed by periodically repeated winding cycles, with subsequent cycles offset relative to one another across the winding-tape width. The mandrel is then covered with winds uniformly along the maximum component diameter, excluding gaps and filament overlaps. In the case of exact cycle repetition without offset multiple wind laying will occur, with the result that a netlike structure is formed with interlink frequency.

This video demonstrates the ease and cleanliness of using TCR Composites' towpreg in the filament winding process. Also included is the application of stretch tape (used for compaction) as the outer layer, prior to curing in an oven.