Abstract: A method and apparatus for filament winding an object from electrically conductive filament means impregnated with a thermomatrix binder. The filament means are wound onto an appropriate mandrel defining the shape of the object. An electrical current is passed through the filament means during the winding to thermally alter or melt the thermoplastic binder as the filament means are wound on the mandrel.

Abstract: A filament tensioner for controlling the tension of filament or roving as it is wound onto an article includes means for sensing the tension in the filament as it is being transferred from a spool and means coupled to the tension sensing means for adjusting the output torque of a motor which drives the spool to in turn maintain the filament tension at a desired value. The tension sensing means includes a pivoted arm, a roller rotatably coupled to an end of the pivoted arm, the roller being engaged by the filament so that the pivoted arm is pivoted to a position determined by the tension in the filament and means for generating a position signal representing the position of the pivoted arm. In the preferred embodiment, the position signal is utilized by a pulse width modulated drive system to control the output torque of the motor.