Abstract: A method for dispensing reinforcement fibers to make a preform or laminate includes winding a continuous length of a reinforcement fiber into coils around a form having a longitudinal axis, moving the coils axially with respect to the form to engage a cutter, cutting the coils to form discrete length reinforcement fibers, and dispensing the discrete length reinforcement fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting and dispensing of adversarial interaction countermeasures, as for example chaff dipole elements for the self-protection of aerial vehicles against radar-guided missiles, providing substantially instantaneous in-flight cutting and dispensing of chaff dipole elements into the airstream along the flight path of aircraft, helicopters, and other aerial vehicles. The device comprises a drive motor assembly having a flywheel providing a motor inertia enabling the motor to maintain a substantially constant rotational speed when a load is applied for cutting of the material to be dispensed. Countermeasure articles that may be advantageously be cut and dispensed into an adversarial interaction area by the means and method of the invention include dipole elements which are interactive with radiation of varying character, e.g., infrared, microwave, ultraviolet, millimeter wave, etc., as well as less-than-lethal (LTL) adversarial interaction countermeasures.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to wind a long continuous fiber around a rotor and to cut the fiber in prescribed lengths by blades positioned at intervals on the circumference of a rotor. Scrapers rotate together with the rotor in order to scrape out the cut fibers displaced between the blades in accordance with the reciprocal movement of the rotor in the axial direction. The use of scrapers makes it possible to prevent the over packing of the cut fibers disposed between the blades, as seen in the case of conventional apparatuses, and to forcibly discharge the cut fibers from between the blades. Consequently, the cutting ability improves remarkably, specifically in cases where the fiber to be cut is especially short.

Abstract: A pelletizer for plastics a braking unit including has a brake drum disposed on a sleeve for holding a cuttler drive shaft and a diaphragm disposed on a housing. The brakes unit both biasing and axial movement of cutter knives to a die surface through the sleeve by controlling a pressure of the diaphragm, so that a longer life of the cutter knives, ensured cutting of resin, and use of cutter knives made of an inexpensive material can be achieved.

Abstract: Chopped fiber strands are produced by (1) wetting a continuous unsized fiber tow with a volatile sizing agent, (2) chopping the wet fiber tow into predetermined lengths, and (3) exposing the chopped fibers to conditions of temperature and pressure that remove the sizing agent by volatilizing but do not cause any structural changes in the fiber. Bundles of the unsized fibers have a high bulk density and are easily dispersible in air or other media to individual filaments or groups of small numbers of individual filaments. The process is especially useful for producing high bulk density packages of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing chopped fibers from essentially continuous tows, each consisting of individual strands, comprises selectively feeding at least two tows to a venturi pump and associated cutter mechanism where the tows are cut or chopped into relatively short lengths to form chopped fibers. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring the movement of each of the tows to the pump and cutter mechanism, and a controller which adjusts the feed rate of the tows and the rate of operation of the cutter mechanism in the event movement of one of the tows varies from a predetermined feed rate.

Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention comprises a cutting wheel (1) provided with a multiplicity of cutting knives (3) disposed in a circle in a knife mount (2) and spaced apart at predetermined distances corresponding to the desired staple, at least one pressure roller (4) for producing on the wound material in sliver or strand form a cutting pressure acting on the cutting knives (3), an opening and closing device (5) by means of which the pressure roller (4) can be moved a predetermined distance away from the cutting wheel (1) or towards the cutting wheel (21), an adjusting member (6) by which a preset distance can be adjusted between the pressure roller (4) and the cutting knife (3) lying nearest to said pressure roller (4), a damping means (7) by which, in conjunction with the adjusting means (6), the contact pressure exerted by the pressure roller (4) on the material in sliver or strand form lying on the knives (3) can be so adjusted that the cutting power of the apparatus remains practically unchange

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a crimped fiber bundle accurately at a high speed in compliance with the high-speed capacity of a crimping machine has a rotor including bisymmetrical finger disks, hook-shaped fingers extending from peripheries of the finger disks, and clamping disks which rotate at a uniform speed at the back of the finger disks. The fingers cross each other at one location in the apparatus adjacent the peripheries of the finger disks to form an interlocking area, which defines an inlet for the fiber bundle. Downstream of the interlocking area in the rotating direction of the rotor is formed a hooking area where the fiber bundle is pulled into a zigzag configuration. Finally, the fiber bundle assuming the zigzag configuration is cut.

Abstract: A method for assembling a light wave guide switch calls for a switch having two groups of front ends of light wave guides. Each group of front ends faces the other group of front ends and each group is disposed on opposite sides of a coupling plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the light wave guides. The switch also has centering devices that extend parallel to each other, without offset, from a first end of a base plate to a second end of the base plate. The centering devices secure a plurality of light wave guides each extending through the coupling plane when each of the wave guides forms a single component. The method includes the steps of coupling the first end of the base plate to a stationary part of the switch and coupling a second end of the base plate to a drivable part of the switch while the switch is in the given switching position.

Abstract: A machine for cutting staple fibers has a machine frame, a cutter holder supported rotatably relative to the machine frame and having an axis, a pressing member supported rotatably and having an axis of rotation which forms an obtuse angle with the axis of rotation of the cutter holder. The pressing member is coupled to the cutter holder. A drive drives the cutter holder and the pressing member. The machine has at least one synchronizing hinge having an inner hinge member and an outer hinge member for mounting the cutter holder and the pressing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously cutting fibers to a predetermined length to provide staple fibers comprising at least one rotatably supported disc having a peripheral surface formed with a circumferential row of engagement projections radially outwardly protruding therefrom and spaced at intervals of a predetermined pitch and at least one cutting blade, the disc being rotatable sequentially past a delivery station and then past a cutting station during one complete rotation thereof. The fibers are at the delivery station delivered successively onto the disc so as to cause the fibers to be substantially traversed in a zig-zag fashion while extending alternately outwardly and inwardly around the engagement projections, and then partially pressed against such every other engagement projections by means of an endless belt drivingly trained around the disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a formed structural element of fiber material bonded with synthetic resin such that a fine-grained or flowable synthetic resin bonding agent is sprinkled on or sprayed on a nonwoven fabric made entirely or predominantly of natural fibers. The nonwoven fabric which is permeated with synthetic bonding agent is fragmented, whereupon the parts are stored in a tower on a perforated female mold which belongs to a molding press and are precompressed on the female mold by means of an air stream that is suctioned through the perforations. To produce formed structural elements with a stable shape, the synthetic resin bonding agent, after a similarly perforated male mold has been placed on top and pressed on, is hardened by means of a hot air stream that is conducted through the perforations in the male mold and the female mold.

Abstract: A device including at least one elongate slot having an elongate blade or vane secured therein, in which the slot when viewed in transverse cross section is curved and the blade or vane is resilient and normally flat in its unstressed condition out of said slot and has a portion securely locatable in said slot by the reactive pressures resulting from deformation of said portion to assume the curve of the slot when located therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber reinforced plastic sheet having a gradient layer structure wherein the number of reinforcing fibers continuously varies and a process for producing the same by spreading a mixture of the fibers different in the number of filaments over the traveling zone of a conveyor and then pressing it while it contains a resin. The fiber reinforced plastic sheet of the invention is excellent in smooth appearance, fluidity during molding to an article, fiber filling ability into a complex form portion of an article and mechanical strength and can be produced inexpensively.

Abstract: A fiber bundle cutting device is disclosed which includes an elastic roller; a cutting roller having a plurality of thin plate-like cutter blades extending radially therefrom, the cutter roller being disposed in parallel relation with the elastic roller in such a manner that the cutter blades can be slightly pressed against a surface of the elastic roller; a plurality of push-out members each movably mounted between a respective pair of the cutter blades and disposed adjacent to one another; and ring members respectively holding the opposite ends of each of the push-out members to maintain the push-out members in a generally cylindrical configuration; the ring members and the push-out members held by the ring members being movable to an eccentric position relative to the cutter roller so as to progressively move from the proximal to the distal edge of the cutting blades during the operation of the cutting device to discharge the cut pieces of a fiber bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting tow into staple including a shaft having a tow passageway for guiding tow into a cutting mechanism as well as fluid inlet and fluid outlet passageways for providing a cooling media to a whorl assembly; a whorl assembly attached to the shaft and having a tow outlet in communicaiton with the tow passageway and cooling fluid chambers in communication with the fluid inlet and outlets; a rotor assembly mounted around the shaft and the whorl assembly that has a plurality of cutting blades for cutting the tow that is progressing through the shaft and whorl a ssembly into staple having uniform lengths.

Abstract: It has been discovered that tilted optical fiber endfaces useful in low-reflection optical fiber joints can be produced by cleaving, provided the fiber is twisted through an appropriate twist angle. By way of example, for a particular, commercially available single mode fiber, the normalized twist angle typically is in the range of 5-15 degrees/cm, resulting in a nominal tilt angle of the fiber endface in the approximate range 5-20 degrees.

Abstract: A process for feeding fibres towards the fixed and mobile knives of a fibre cutter, such as a flock cutter, is provided which includes preparing a mattress of fibres aligned in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the knife so that the mattress of fibres takes the form of a band. The band is conveyed in a step-by-step manner towards the knives while supporting the band adjacent the fixed knife so that its lower face and its lateral side faces are supported by planer support surfaces having a dimension significant in relation to the length of sections of fibres being cut. The step-by-step conveying is effected by bringing the band to a temporary standstill in relation to the support surfaces as the fibres are advanced towards the cutter.

Abstract: A chopper having a feed mechanism for strands of continuous materials such as glass filaments includes an outer rotatable ring which receives and supports a plurality of radially oriented blades and an inner rotatable feed and pressure wheel disposed eccentrically within the outer ring. The ring and wheel are driven synchronously by a common drive unit such that the tangential speeds of the blade faces and pressure wheel are equal. The pressure wheel is positioned adjacent but not coincident to the circle defined by the inner faces of the blades. Continuous strands of material are provided to the chopper and a two position roller feeds the material to the feed and pressure wheel when its linear speed matches the tangential speed of the blades and wheel. The wheel directs the strands to the faces of the blades upon which the strands build up. As the thickness of the strands on the face of the blades increase, the wheel forces the strands further into the blades thereby cutting them.

Abstract: A fiber is manufactured by winding a strip of thin plate material made of a metal or the like around the cylindrical outer surface of a rotatably supported main shaft a large number of times and fixing it thereto, by rotating the main shaft in the direction opposite to that in which the plate material is wound at constant speed, and by feeding a cutter having an edge line thereof expending perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft and a face angle ranging between 21 degrees and 37 degress parallel to the axis of the main shaft and at a constant speed and thereby cutting the end surface of the plate material by the cutter. In consequence, finer and soft long fiber can be manufactured effectively at a low cost.

Abstract: The invention is specifically concerned with an improvement in the process of manufacturing reinforced materials. The reinforced materials are conceived to include a wide variety of materials, the most notable being high density compressed gaskets. The improvement comprises mixing a cut solid (generally a cut fiber) with a body material to produce the reinforced materials. The solid is cut into particulates of highly variable size, the range in the size of the particulates being adjusted to optimize the characteristics of the resulting reinforced material. The cut solid is produced utilizing comminuting machines previously used for the recycle of waste products.

Abstract: An improved package wind cutter utilizes a specially configured guide hook carried on the periphery of a reduced diameter winder dome to eliminate the need for a pressure roller mounted internally of the winder dome, thereby simplifying the manufacture, operation and maintenance of the apparatus and appreciably improving the strand distribution characteristics of the cutter as the relative speed of the cutter reel and winder dome are varied. The improved guide hook passes the strand from the dome to the reel with minimum separation from both the reel and the remaining pressure roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a charge used in molding a fiber reinforced part. Continuous strands of fibers are impregnated with resin and then cut into segments of predetermined lengths. The segments are collected so that the resin impregnated fiber segments are piled together to form the charge. In one embodiment, the fibers are collected in a controlled manner to provide preselected fiber orientation for the molded part. Also a cutter mechanism is provided for cutting resin impregnated fiber strands pulled over a first rotating drum.

Abstract: A cutting device for the hot granulation of thermoplastic polymers including a rotary driving shaft, a blade-carrying disc rigidly keyed on the driving shaft and blades not rigidly mounted on said disc and sliding on the cutting plate, each blade being paired to an opposing element which opposes any sudden action tending to move the blade away from the plate.This invention relates to a cutting device for the hot granulation of thermoplastic polymers.More in particular, the present invention relates to a cutting device for the hot granulation of thermoplastic polymers, in which cutting of polymer monofilaments leaving the die plate is accomplished directly on the face of said die plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately setting a cutting gap of a fiber cutting assembly of the type having a cutter reel with a plurality of radially spaced apart, cutting blades and a presser roll mounted adjacent to the cutter reel and having a peripheral surface positioned at a predetermined distance from the cutting edges of the cutting blades to define the cutting gap. The apparatus comprises a gauge member at one of the cutting blade positions which extends radially beyond the radial distance of the blades and corresponds to the desired cutting gap setting, and means for electrically sensing contact of the gauge member with the presser roll.

Abstract: A blade quality monitor for use with cutter reels having specifically identifiable blades utilize a sensor to detect the position of a physical anomaly on the reel. Additional sensors sense the force at the interface between the cutter reel, the material wrapped thereon and the associated pressure roller. The position of the physical anomaly is correlated with the sensed force to determine the magnitude thereof at each blade which is indicative of the condition of the blade with respect to sharpness or intactness.

Abstract: Device for cutting band-shaped or strand-shaped material, having a cutting device in the form of a cutter roller, in which outwardly-pointing cutting edges which are arranged at a uniform distance from one another connect two circular disc-shaped or annular bodies to one another, which bodies hold the cutting edges, and the material to be cut via these cutting edges forms a lap superimposed in several coil layers, the radial innermost position of which lap is cut by the pressure which acts in intensified manner as a result of a loading body. The cutter blades, the cutting edges of which cut the material, are arranged for reducing the bending stress in such a way that they are at a setting angle alpha of 5.degree. to 25.degree. to the radial direction of the device, with the cutting edges pointing in the direction of movement of the cutter roller.

Abstract: The fiber cutting device of the present invention comprises a die block having a feed opening extending therethrough for receiving a multi-strand fiber. The die block has a flat cutting surface at one end of the feed opening. A fiber feeder is adapted to feed the fiber through the feed opening toward the cutting surface. A rotatable cutting blade is mounted to rotate about an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed opening, and the blade has a cutting edge adapted to pass in sliding frictional engagement with the cutting surface of the die block once during each revolution of the cutting blade so as to cooperate with the cutting surface to cut the fiber exiting from the feed opening. Adjustable controls are provided for adjusting the speed at which the feeder feeds the fiber through the feed opening, and additional adjustable controls are provided for adjusting the rotational speed of the cutting blade.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting elongated material into short lengths is provided. The method features the steps of compressing the elongated material at discrete intervals transversely; slightly tensioning the elongated material along its length between intervals; pressing the slightly tensioned elongated material between intervals against a cutting edge; and cutting the elongated material with the cutting edge. The apparatus features a pair of cooperating rolls rotating in opposite directions and between which the elongated material passes. The cutting roll has a plurality of radially extending cutting blades as well as a plurality of radially extending projections, at least one of the projections being located on each side of a cutting blade and extending further radially from the cutting roll than the blades. The second roll is formed of an elastic material and is engaged by the projections in succession to compress the elongated material therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a continuous strand into predetermined lengths, wherein a cutting head having an array of cutting blades rotates around its axis, a strand winding device rotates around an axis intercepting the axis of the cutting head for positioning and winding continuous strand around the array of cutting blades, a toroidal strand guide member is spaced equidistant from the strand winding device to control the travel of the continuous strand to the strand winding device and cutting head, and a strand cut-off device is operative at time of tie-up of the continuous strand to the apparatus for severing the connection of the continuous strand from an air doffer used in the tie-up operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of simultaneously cutting a plurality of different elongated materials into shorter lengths is provided. The method features the steps of continuously winding a coil of each of the materials about a common axis, each of the coils being separate from one another, while continuously cutting a layer of each of the materials into shorter lengths, and continuously transporting the shorter lengths away. The apparatus features a cutter reel with a plurality of radially spaced cutting blades which form in conjunction with a barrier at least two cutting zones which are separate from one another. The different types of elongated material are fed to the different cutting zones for cutting and removal.

Abstract: A modification to a reel type staple cutter that includes a housing surrounding the cutter reel. The housing has a cam slot sized to permit passage of a single tow but to prevent passage of a knot tieing together two ends of tow. As the cutter turns the knot slides along the outside of the slot reaching the top of the housing. The knot remains on top of the housing until the ends of the knot are cut. Means are provided to remove the knot.

Abstract: A staple fiber cutting machine for continuously cutting cables of synthetic ibers, has a rotation-symmetrical rotary cutter supporting member provided with a plurality of cutters, a ring member mounted on end portions of the cutters and defining an inlet slot for a cable, and a drum member mounted on an outer side of the ring member and having an inner diameter substantially corresponding to an inner diameter of the ring member, and a length that could be anything but shorter than the small spacings between cutting edges of two neighboring cutters.

Abstract: Apparatus for drawing molten streams of glass into filaments and severing the filaments into segments is provided wherein the cot wheel is eccentrically mounted to provide automatic micro-adjustment with respect to the cutter roll, and wherein the cutter roll is releasably secured to provide macro-adjustment to accomodate cot wheels of different diameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting synthetic fiber yarns into staple fibers, for which purpose the yarn is wound several times around a knife cage and rests on blades oriented radially outwardly with their cutting edges and is urged from the outside radially inwardly against these blades by means of a contact roller. The blades are held in two blade-supporting disks arranged at a mutual spacing in superimposed relationship. In order to guide the cut staple fibers radially inwardly behind the blades, and for connecting the two blade-supporting disks with each other, approximately radially oriented partitions are provided directly adjoining several of the backs of the knives, these partitions extending at least in part over the height of the knife cage along the staple fiber discharge chamber in the center of the knife cage.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting thermoplastic filaments or rods with multiple blades in a granulation head of the type which is completely immersed in a cooling liquid, the blades acting with an extrusion die having extrusion orifices arranged in one or more rings centered on the axis of the die and coaxial with a rotary cutting means carrying cutting blades, wherein the cutting blades have an extrados surface inscribed within a regular convex polygon having an apex angle of 7.degree. or less and an intrados surface having a point of inflection situated at a distance between one quarter and one half of the width of the blade, the remainder of the intrados beyond the inflection point having a profile pattern similar to that of the extrados, and methods for chopping thermoplastics with such apparatus.

Abstract: An outside-in tow cutter having a horizontal axis of rotation for its cutter reel assembly which includes an inner plate and an outer ring carrying radially disposed cutter blades, the outer ring having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the circle formed by the cutting edges of the blades. The outer ring also carries an annular lip which cooperates with a snug fitting discharge hooper so that a subatmospheric pressure may be induced within said reel and said discharge housing to facilitate the removal of cut tow therefrom and to provide for pneumatically drawing the uncut tow onto the cutter reel assembly via an inlet housing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for forming glass filaments wherein a transfer guide means is movable between a strand threadup position and a transfer zone immediately adjacent the primary attenuation means, said transfer guide being adapted to move a strand about to be restarted which is being advanced by a secondary attenuation means into contact with the primary attenuation means to be advanced thereby and to release such strand when said transfer guide is at a predetermined zone to permit the transfer of such strand being advanced by the secondary attenuation means to the primary attenuation means in the absence of reducing the speed of the primary attenuation means.

Abstract: According to the disclosed process, an endless fibrous material to be cut is wound in spiral form onto a rotatable cutter roll having radially outwardly oriented knives. A cutting force acts from the outside of the cutter roll radially inwardly, by way of a pressure roller contacting the wound material, for cutting, for example, synthetic fibers. In the process, at least two cutting forces are effective against the axis of the cutter roll, these forces being directed against each other. In the apparatus for conducting the process, two pressure rollers are articulated to each other by way of a double rocket arm. Consequently, the optimum cutting level, which will be different in individual cases, is automatically set. The effective cutting force for each roller is of equal strength.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for cutting a tow of continuous filamentary material into staple fiber of mixed cut length, with some lengths being below 3/4 inch and some lengths above 3/4 inch. The improved cutter comprises asymmetric means for supporting at least the blades which cut the shortest filaments. It is preferred that the blade disposition within a quadrant of the cutting be similar to the blade disposition in the opposed quadrant. The apparatus facilitates cutting without blockage and/or blade breakage.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing a moving, heavy strand of coated glass filaments is comprised of a conically shaped cutting head having a circular cutting edge that cooperates with a circular die into which the cutting head is moved upon activation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing cut staple from a reel type staple cutter are disclosed. The apparatus features a tub connected to the mounting member of the cutter reel. An air flow is created across the tub adjacent to the fiber doffing point and cutter reel, parallel to the plane of the cutter reel, to remove the cut staple as quickly as possible. The ratio of the cutter reel diameter to the tub depth varies from 0.85-4.8 to 1.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus consists of two cutter cages arranged in direct superposition, with radially outwardly oriented cutters onto which a textile material to be cut is wound in spiral shape and is cut by a pressure roller effective from the outside radially inwardly. The two cutter cages are constituted by cutter supporting disks attached to a spoked wheel; these disks carry cutters which simultaneously equip the upper and lower cutter cages. By using such an apparatus, it is possible to cut simultaneously two continuous strands with only a single device. It is also possible to arrange more than only two cutter cages in superposition at one apparatus.

Abstract: A staple fiber cutting machine has a cutter supporting member which suppo a plurality of cutters and is driven in rotation by a drive, a gap formed so that a cable can be introduced into the gap, and a pressing member which is driven in rotation during idle running of the machine, prior to introduction of a cable into the gap. The machine works so that not only the cutter supporting member rotates, but also the pressing member rotates during the starting phase or the idle running of the machine.

Abstract: Filler material, particularly for cigarette filters, is produced by feeding a first stream of substantially continuous filaments of filler material onto a pin roller which is driven at a speed such that the filaments are broken by the pins into irregular lengths and are projected from the roller in random orientations. The broken filaments are collected on a carrier stream, also comprising filamentary material, for delivery to a rod-making unit. More than one stream could be supplied to the pin roller so that the broken filaments can comprise a mixture of filaments of different filler materials. The carrier stream may comprise filler material which is different from that in the first stream and may comprise a fibrillated web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting a strand into predetermined lengths, wherein a cutting head having a plurality of cutting blades forming a cutting zone rotates around one axis and a strand winding device rotates around an axis intercepting the other axis and at a significantly higher rate of speed than the cutting head so that the strand is received and stored in cutting position in the cutting zone in the form of multiple crossing windings prior to cutting, and pressure is applied against the windings and toward the cutting blades to cut the strand into such predetermined lengths.

Abstract: A cutting wheel for cutting continuous filamentary tow comprises first and second axially spaced carrier plates which are rotatable about a common axis. An annular row of cutter blades extends between the carrier plates, each blade having a radially outwardly facing cutting edge for cutting the tow. At least four connecting plates have opposite ends affixed to respective carrier plates to prevent mutual separation of the carrier plates in the axial and radial directions. Each connecting plate is aligned with an associated one of the blades and is positioned radially inwardly relative thereto and has a thickness substantially the same as that of the associated blade. The connecting blades as a group provide a substantial portion of the resistance against mutual separation of the carrier plates in the axial and radial directions. The blades as a group transmit a substantial portion of the torque between the carrier plates.

Abstract: A cover for a cutter reel used in a staple cutting apparatus of known type is formed by a plurality of circular segment elements joined together by fasteners to form an annular cover member encircling a cutter reel member. The annular cover member of the invention is thereby adapted for use with cutter reels having a wide variety of blade configurations.

Abstract: A process for producing bundles of high modulus polyethylene fibers for reinforcement in composites wherein the matrix is a brittle material such as cement, concrete, plaster of Paris or the like. The process involves passing high modulus polyethylene yarn through high pressure nip rolls to deform the individual filaments and to form a loosely adhering unitary mass or bundle of filaments which is then chopped into short lengths for use as fibrous reinforcement in composites. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn is twisted prior to being passed through the nip rolls.

Abstract: A cutting wheel for cutting continuous filamentary tow comprises upper and lower plates rotatable about a common axis. The lower plate includes a ring-shaped section defining a central tow exit opening. An annular row of cutter blades extends between the plates, the blades having radially outwardly facing cutting edges. As filamentary tow is wrapped around the row of blades and pushed thereagainst, the tow is cut by the cutting edges and passes between the blades. A plurality of connector arms secures together the upper and lower plates. Each connector arm defines a clearance inwardly of the blade to accomodate free inward travel of tow cut by the blades. Each connector arm includes first and second segments. The first segment extends downwardly from the ring-shaped lower plate away from the plane of the latter. The second segment extends upwardly toward the upper plate and is disposed radially inwardly of the ring-shaped section of the lower plate.