A Low-Cost Filament Winding Technology for University Laboratories and Startups.

Artem Andrianov,Carlos Alberto Gurgel Veras,Bruno Telles,Erika Kamada Tomita

doi:10.3390/polym14051066

Abstract

This paper systematically explains the methodology and results of empirical work on the development of a low-cost filament winding technology for manufacturing axisymmetric polymer composite structures with a high length-to-diameter ratio, such as tubes, motor casings, and pressure vessels. The principal objective was to examine the experiences and most optimal practices in the development of computer-controlled equipment and auxiliary tooling for the wet filament-winding process. To preclude expensive commercial software for the automated control of a winding machine, analytical equations were derived for the winding trajectory of a four-axis filament-winding machine. The feasibility of the proposed equations was successfully validated by laying the fiber along the geodesic path marked on the surface of a cylindrical mandrel with hemispherical ends. Moreover, the carbon/epoxy cylindrical casings with hemispherical ends and port openings of the same diameter were wound to determine the thickness distribution in the hemispherical dome. The fiber volume ratio in the wound composite parts was evaluated using an optical technique.

Highlights

Filament winding technology has been deployed extensively in the aerospace industry since the early 1940s [1] and has persistently garnered interest from the scientific community
Data from Google Scholar, published in an insightful review on the automated manufacturing and processing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, revealed the presence of a markedly high number of papers concerned with filament winding even in recent times [2]
The primary objective of this work was to design low-cost computer-controlled equipment for the filament winding of small-size axisymmetric aerospace structures, such as tubes, casings, and pressure vessels

Summary

Introduction

Filament winding technology has been deployed extensively in the aerospace industry since the early 1940s [1] and has persistently garnered interest from the scientific community. The acquisition of composite structures with a unique shape of revolution and dimensions by university laboratories or startups requires sizeable investments. Under these conditions, small companies typically seek alternative solutions. University teams, can potentially benefit from sponsorship by equipment manufacturers, as demonstrated in the case of the production of filament-wound rocket fuselages [3]. Another tenable solution is the development of in-house low-cost equipment for filament winding [4]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion