Abstract: This invention relates to industrial manufacture of composite tubes in a continuous fashion. The invention utilizes a segmented mandrel which proceeds as a train of endwise joined segments through a composite tube forming machine. Segments are added to and subtracted from the mandrel during manufacture of the tubes.

Abstract: A method of making a jacketed storage tank comprises applying a layer of wax over a rigid inner storage tank, applying fibrous reinforcing material and resinous material onto the wax, and then curing. The wax is subsequently melted and removed to create a continuous space. The resultant jacket is structurally independent from the storage tank, yet is in such close proximity thereto that the resultant jacketed storage tank has an integral structural strength capable of withstanding external load forces normally encountered by underground storage tanks. Secondary containment is provided by the jacket.

Abstract: A container of hardened, fiber-reinforced synthetic resin and high stability is manufactured by forming a wound-up structure on a shaping core born on the shaft of a winding machine together with fittings for the two open container ends, of different size, and being clamped against the two core ends by means of fixing members held in position on the winding shaft during winding. One of the fittings is provided with an annular groove for anchoring the wound-up structure therein. The fixing members and fittings are of such shape that the winding affords a wound-up structure having end openings of equal size so that a geodetic depositing of the wrapped layers is possible. After the structure is hardened, the portion thereof extending beyond the fitting having an opening of larger diameter than that closed by the other fitting is cut off, so that a container closed by the first fitting and open through the second fitting is obtained.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating reinforcing spikes for insertion in a preferential direction into a structure reinforced in three directions substantially orthogonal. The structure is substantially a body of revolution and the reinforcements are provided by filaments made of high-strength high-elasticity-modulus materials. Strands made with such continuous filaments are wound helically in two generally perpendicular directions along a surface substantially parallel to both the external and internal body surfaces of revolution. The distance between these two surfaces is variable and defines the body thickness which may reach an appreciable percentage of the body diameter at certain stations. The spikes are made of parallel fiber segments bonded by a resin matrix so as to be stiff, and have two pointed ends.

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: Manufacture of bundles of at least 1000 semi-permeable hollow fibres for use in filters such as, e.g., blood, plasma and dialysate filters, and in artificial kidneys. One or more hollow filaments are wound onto a reel until the formed package contains the number of filaments required for bundle formation. After which the package is cut into fibre bundles of the desired length. The package is held in one place of the reel and a free end is introduced into a sleeve having a length which is a number of times that of the length of the fibre bundle in the final filter. The sleeve is cut into fibre bundles of the desired length.

Abstract: Elongated, large diameter, helically wound, hollow fiber bundles which are stable, do not require "dead-end tubesheets" to keep the bundle ends from slipping and exhibit only slight "dog-boning" can be formed by controlling the winding parameters so that the bundle consists of successively shorter or longer "formations" of successively longer strata, each stratum consisting of from about one to a plurality of coverages (of the underlying core or bundle surface).

Abstract: A mandrel for use in a process for manufacturing an article of a composite material including a thermosetting resin reinforced by fibers. The mandrel is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and adapted to have resin impregnated fibers wound therearound. In the manufacturing process, a heating medium is introduced into the mandrel under an elevated temperature and pressure to heat the composite material to a curing temperature of the resin. The mandrel is made of an alloy having a rigidity under a room temperature but showing a super plasticity under a temperature at which the resin is cured.

Abstract: A filament winding payoff head unit and process for applying strands of adhesive impregnated filament material arranged into a gap-free band to a rotating mandrel. A plurality of side-by-side slightly overlapped impregnated filament strands are passed over bars between tines of combs for positioning when leaving the payoff head. The payoff head is positionable toward and away from the rotating mandrel to allow for mandrel longitudinal dimension changes while maintaining the payoff head roller in contact with the mandrel at a predetermined pressure thereagainst. The payoff head is also freely pivotable horizontally to maintain a proper angle of filament application to any changing mandrel longitudinal configuration.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process used in preparing fibrous tows which may be formed into polymeric plastic composites. The process involves the steps of (a) forming a tow of strong filamentary materials; (b) forming a thermoplastic polymeric fiber; (c) intermixing the two tows; and (d) withdrawing the intermixed tow for further use.

Abstract: The instant invention involves a process used in preparing fibrous tows which may be formed into polymeric plastic composites. The process involves the steps of (a) forming a tow of strong filamentary materials; (b) forming a thermoplastic polymeric fiber; (c) intermixing the two tows; and (d) withdrawing the intermixed tow for further use.

Abstract: A composite material centrifuge rotor and process of construction of the rotor is disclosed. A rotor having high stiffness of fibers, preferably carbon, bound together with resin is disclosed. The rotor includes a top disk, a bottom disk and a spacer belt spacing the two disks apart to form a rotor assembly. The top and bottom disks are fabricated by overlying multiple layers of tape, the tape being made from longitudinally extending and parallel fibers held together with resin. The tapes are stacked in multiple layers normal to the spin axis of the rotor so as to lie within the plane of the centrifugal force exerted by the rotor. Successive layers of tape are oriented so as to vary the longitudinal direction of the fiber with respect to a preselected radius vector from the spin axis of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a rotationally symmetrical body formed of crisscross-wound layers, comprises a rotatable winding mandrel, a carriage arranged for travel back and forth along the mandrel; and a thread laying mechanism for receiving simultaneously a plurality of threads from a thread supply and for depositing the threads on the mandrel during rotation thereof and during the back-and-forth travel of the carriage. The thread laying mechanism has a laying roller having a peripheral surface void of grooves. The threads are trained about the peripheral surface of the laying roller and deposited therefrom onto the winding mandrel. The thread laying mechanism further has a guide element for receiving the threads and advancing them to the peripheral surface of the laying roller in predetermined distances from one another.

Abstract: A filament-wound pressure vessel constructed of a rigid composite of an epoxy resin matrix reinforced with continuous filaments of a p-aramid coated with an adhesion modifier.

Abstract: An airspring sleeve and airspring that each have a chamber portion and rolling lobe portion reinforced with successive layers of embedded cord where cord in one layer is wound at opposite helical angles from cord of a second successive layer and where the cord is wound at inconstant helical angles in an annular band portion of least one of the sleeve portions.

Abstract: A composite structure comprises at least one ply comprising approximately parallel unidirected twines comprising helically-configured matrix-impregnated continuous strands of filament reinforcements to provide a flanged composite cantilever spring which serves as the principal constituent of a coupling structure. An interior ply of a coupling structure body member comprises unidirected longitudinal twines configured at a body member extremity to provide a flange member connected to a cantilever spring. An exterior ply is disposed transversely of and superimposed upon the interior ply to provide the cantilever spring hinge line. The composite cantilever spring can be constructed to deflect about either a straight or curved hinge line. A preferred tubular form of the coupling structure comprises at least one end configured as a polygonal array of flanged cantilever springs which serve as the socket end of a spring-lock coupling used to connect mating flanged spigot-end structures.

Abstract: A method of producing a continuous fiber reinforced bent resin pipe, including winding a continuous reinforcing fiber on the outer surface of a tube-like flexible core mold while such core mold is straight in shape, the flexible core mold which is straight when unloaded being capable of keeping a cross section defined in radial direction when the core mold is bent. The core mold on which the continuous fiber has been wound is then bent and placed into a cavity defined by an outer mold formed of split molds each having an inner surface forming the predetermined outer configuration of a bent pipe. A liquefied synthetic resin is caused to be cured between the outer and the core molds to integrate both the fiber and resin. Thereafter the molded product is removed from the outer mold and the core mold is removed from the molded product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of revolution formed from threads extending in three different directions, as well as to a machine for performing this process. The machining of a mandrel, the installation or implantation of retaining or locking rings on this mandrel, the winding and weaving of the threads in circumferential, longitudinal passages formed between the locking rings and the appropriate dimensional controls and checks are carried out on the same machine. On one side of the horizontal axis of the machine is provided a mobile support on which can be mounted the subassemblies for machining the mandrel, the implantation of the locking rings, winding and control, the weaving system being placed on the other side of the axis. In order the facilitate the weaving operations, the weaving carriage moves parallel to a fictitious generatrix joining the ends of the body, the weaving means being oriented perpendicular to said generatrix.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a thinwall pressure vessel having a thermoplastic inner liner, a filament wound outer shell and at least one localized area of increased thickness in its sidewall. The method includes providing an insert formed from thermoplastic material or other suitable material which is bondable with the material of the inner liner. The manufacturer uses this insert to form a localized area of increased thickness in the sidewall of the pressure vessel. First, the manufacturer blow molds or otherwise forms a thermoplastic inner liner and bonds the insert to the inner liner. The manufacturer then provides a means for locating or finding the port of the insert and constructs the outer shell with glass filaments impregnated with a resinous material or other suitable material. Then, after locating the insert, the maker forms an opening which extends through the entire sidewall of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A predetermined number of optical fibre parts (27) is provided on a rectangular frame (1), the fibre parts extending parallel to each other along a straight line between two opposite first sides (3) of the frame. These first sides (3) comprise comb-shaped fibre guides (5) with teeth (13), between which the fibre parts (27) are guided so that the fibre guides determine a first relative distance between the fibre parts. The first sides (3) are pivotably connected to the two second sides (7) of the frame (1), which is then deformed to a parallelogram until the portions of the fibre parts (27) located inside the frame have a predetermined second relative distance. A permanent connection between the fibre parts (27) is established so that a ribbon of fibre parts is obtained. A number of such ribbons can be stacked with the interposition of strip-shaped spacers (29) to form a bundle.

Abstract: A method of making a bow limb which comprises the steps of wrapping impregnated fiberglass strands around a frame to create a fiberglass and resin blank or package. The wet blank or package is then placed in the mold to be shaped and cured. The package has a calculated predetermined number of fiberglass strands, and also a calculated predetermined volume and weight of plastic resin. The mold, has two parts, a male and female. The volume of the mold may be simultaneously thinned and widened in forming the mold in such a manner that the cross-sectional area is constant at any given point. The thickness of the limb can be varied in accordance with the depth of penetration of the male member of the mold into the female. A tail of the excess fiberglass and resin extends from both ends of the mold, and after the formed unit or paddle is first cured and then removed from the mold; these are removed with a saw cut.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for melt blowing at an initial velocity of from 500 to 1000 feet per second a molten thermoplastic condensation polymer at a temperature less than 50.degree. C. above the melting point thereof to form fibers of high molecular orientation, and collecting the fibers to form a non-woven web. In one aspect of the present invention, the fibers are collected on a rotating mandrel and heat treated during collection or subsequent to collection.

Abstract: A method of making a composite to metal joint between a metal ring and a tubular composite formed from crossing helical windings of high strength fibers including the steps of winding the fiber on a mandrel at a helical angle equal to or greater than the slip angle of the fiber and providing the metal ring with a surface in the form of a hyperboloid of one sheet and a pair of isotensoidal surfaces of revolution contiguous with the hyperboloidal surface to form a concave portion in the ring over which the helical fibers form straight lines without bridging and hug these concave surfaces to form an interference fit between the composite and the metal ring.

Abstract: Multi-layered hollow coil and apparatus and method of manufacturing thereof disclosed which includes a first regularly wound first portion of a coil due to a wire from a wire source by rotation of a coil metrix on a rotatable axle and subsequently spirally wound second portion due to a wire accumulated on a winding roller by reverse rotation of the coil matrix which is disposed between two flanges. In the first wound portion of multi-layers, layers in odd numbers are wound N times and other layers in even numbers are wound N-1 times, and the layers excepted a first layers are wound between crests of windings of the lower layer. The first wound portion is pressed between the flanges by a movable flange thereof and electrically melt.

Abstract: A filament winding machine suitable for winding a hollow closed fibre-reinforced body such as a radome comprises a rotateable former 1, an annular spider 3 supporting a plurality of asymmetrically spaced filament guides 19 movable so as to be able to traverse the length of the former to a position beyond the closed end thereof, and an array of circumferentially spaced spigots 26 at or near the closed end of the body to retain laid fibres such that there is no slippage of fibres as they are laid over the closed end of the body.

Abstract: Lightweight filament wound composites are provided which comprise fibers in a cured matrix resin. The resin, in its uncured state, comprises an aromatic vinyl hydrocarbon monomer and a chain-extended carboxy-terminated poly(1,2-butadiene) made by reacting a carboxy-terminated poly(1,2-butadiene) and a difunctional compound in an equivalents ratio of difunctional compound/carboxyl of about 0.5/1.

Abstract: A membrane oxygenator has a housing and a plurality of microporous hollow fibers disposed within the housing. A gas inlet and a gas outlet are in communication with the microporous hollow fibers. A blood inlet and blood outlet are so positioned that the blood flowing through the housing will flow generally transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the fibers. The fibers are preferably placed at a center to center spacing within a layer of about 1.5 to 4 times the diameter of the fibers. A coating, which is permeable to both oxygen and carbon dioxide, is preferably provided on the exterior of the fibers. Filaments may be positioned between at least some fibers so as to improve spacing and facilitate more efficient transfer between the gas and blood. The fibers may be wound around a frame member and adjacent layers preferably have fibers angularly offset with respect to each other. Methods and apparatus for making membrane oxygenators of the above-described types.

Abstract: Disclosed are wet filament winding resins that are intimate admixtures consisting essentially of polybutadiene polymers whose functionality resides solely in unsaturation, an unsaturated monomer component, a peroxide free-radical initiator and a block copolymer impact modifier. The resins have long pot lives and cure into low density resin matrices in composite structures. The resin matrices can have select mechanical properties of desired character through ingredient choice.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in filament winding large, hollow, tubular structures having significant axial reinforcement in their thick walls by means including (a) using a hollow, light weight mandrel adapted to expand radially at elevated temperatures and windings of alternate layers of filamentary materials positioned substantially axially and substantially circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel wherein the alternate layers are preferably in a certain thermosettable resin matrix and wound in certain fashion and (b) heating the filament wound mandrel to cure the thermosettable resin wherein heat from inside and out of the mandrel controls the cure and expansion during the heating step. The thick walls preferably incorporate graphite fibers for significant strength in the reinforcement provided by the filamentary materials.

Abstract: A filament or tape winding machine equipped with an automatically retractable mandrel for constructing in place the wall of a pipeline in a continuous and uninterrupted manner. The winding and the building up of the pipeline wall progress at a velocity equal to that of the extraction of the mandrel from inside of the completed pipeline. The filament or tape reinforcing material is bonded in place with a resin system applied and cured at fabrication stations, during the pipeline manufacturing process, located where the mandrel is supporting the pipeline wall. This mandrel supporting function ceases at a point where the pipeline wall has enough strength to support itself. The reinforcement material winding mechanism, the mandrel extracting mechanism and the resin curing equipment are all mounted on a vehicle or train of vehicles propelled to move forward and leave in place behind the finished fabricated pipeline ready for use.

Abstract: A shaft produced by the steps of rolling inorganic fiber cloths around a plastic resin base body into a cylindrical shape to form a shaft body, coiling two sets of carbon cloth tapes in the opposite directions around the shaft body, and impregnating resin into the shaft body and carbon cloth tapes to integrate them into a single body. The shaft obtained by the method is light and strong and shows excellent resiliency. The shaft is particularly advantageous and reliable for golf clubs, fishing poles, and the like.

Abstract: A multiconductor flat cable incorporates an approximately right angle turn in its conductor runs. The right angle turn is provided by first securing the conductor runs in a desired spacing through a first lamination of insulation cover and base sheets while leaving portions of the conductor runs exposed through a window in the first lamination. The first lamination is then severed at the lateral edges of the window so that an end portion of the first lamination may be moved ninety degrees relative to a remaining body portion thereto. The right angle turn is then secured by forming a second lamination with cover and base layers so as to overlap the first lamination and the turn in the conductor runs.

Abstract: Improved fiber resin matrix prepreg fabrics are disclosed which are comprised of a first layer of reinforcing fabric coated with an epoxy resin composition and a discrete second layer of an epoxy resin modified with an elastomeric polymer. The discrete second layer is provided with a support comprising a gauze-like, lightweight fibrous mat or carrier of lightweight fibers that preserves the second "interleaf" layer during cure. Cured composites having the continuous interleaf layer intact exhibit high impact strength and resistance to impact damage.

Abstract: Elongate articles of non-circular cross section such as those of an airfoil cross section are constructed by winding filamentary material in layers about a form between a pair of spaced turnarounds generally conforming in shape to the cross sectional shape of the form. Adjacent layers are continuously wound by winding the filamentary material across the edges and outer face of each turnaround while reversing the direction of relative longitudinal displacement between the filamentary material and the form. The shape correspondence between the turnarounds and the form effect a minimization of expanse between the turnaround edge and form surface, thereby minimizing bridging of the filamentary material between those two members.

Abstract: A structural composite beam that extends along an arc is disclosed. The beam has a core in which web and flange portions are unitary and made by filament winding. A method is disclosed in which a plurality of these beams are made during a single layup, cure and cutting operation.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic pipe tee is wound around a mandrel according to this method and apparatus. Fiber rovings are delivered to the mandrel by way of a delivery ring translated in an X-Y plane. The mandrel can be rotated around an A axis parallel to the X direction or a B axis parallel to the Y direction. By switching between either rotation around the A axis or around the B axis, a three axis numerical control system can be employed. Means are provided for alternately rotating the mandrel around the A and B axes. Means are provided for independently translating the delivery ring in the X and Y directions as the mandrel rotates. The delivery ring comprises a curved bar around which a band of resin impregnated rovings makes a turn enroute to the mandrel for maintaining a reasonably constant width of the band of rovings.

Abstract: Disclosed are wet filament winding resins that are intimate admixtures consisting essentially of polybutadiene polymers whose functionality resides solely in unsaturation, an unsaturated monomer component, a peroxide free-radical initiator and optionally a block copolymer impact modifier. The resins have long pot lives and cure into low density resin matrices in composite structures. The resin matrices can have select mechanical properties of desired character through ingredient choice.

Abstract: A method for crimping tire bead rings in which an inner die member has grooves for holding the bead rings in the area of the bead splices and an upper die member engages the outer surface of the bead rings in that area. The die members are compressed with sufficient force for a sufficient period of time so that the strands of the bead rings are held together by the insulating material around the strands in the area of the bead splices. The side portions of the grooves control the spreading of the bead rings and may be flared to compress and then release the bead rings. The grooves of the inner die member may have movable inserts for ejecting the bead rings. The upper die member may also include grooves in mating engagement with the grooves of the inner die member for enclosing the outer portions of the bead rings at the splice area and provide for release of the bead rings after crimping.

Abstract: During the winding of the layers of the wires of a tire bead ring, a piece of ribbon is interposed at least twice per revolution between two consecutive layers of wires, the ribbon being formed of a thin flexible support bearing on each of its faces a layer of a material which adheres both to the support and to the wires.

Abstract: Porous polymeric material, which, in tubular form, is suitable for use as a vascular graft, is made by a procedure wherein polymeric fibres are wound on a mandrel while overlying fibres are simultaneously bonded together. In one preferred embodiment, a viscous solution of a biocompatible polymer is extruded from a spinnaret to form a plurality of filaments which are wound on a rotating mandrel as the spinnaret reciprocates relative to the mandrel. The filaments are wet as they contact each other, so that on evaporation of the solvent the fibres become bonded to each other.

Abstract: A blood vessel prosthesis and a method of producing such a prosthesis in which single fibers having a sticky surface are sprayed onto a rod to form a tube from which the rod is subsequently removed, the fibers being formed in at least one layer, the fibers being applied to the rod in one or more selected directions and, in one form, the fibers, when stuck together, form a tube into which connective tissue cannot grow, the prosthesis having properties such as radial elastic expansibility, non-kinking and the like adaptable to those of natural arteries and views the tube may also be provided with an inner layer of flexible foil for impermeability or an outer coating to provide a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for winding hoop windings onto a cylindrical member which may be a fiberglass tube or a mandrel. Two sequential stations are provided, each of which includes a rotatable drum and a rotatable winding member. Each of these is separately drivable by respective pulleys. The separately driven drum can be wound with filament or filament may be stripped therefrom according to requirement. The associated winding member consists of two funnels between which are positioned a plurality of pulleys, such that the filament can be unwound from the associated drum and applied to the mandrel or tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in filament winding large, hollow, tubular structures having significant axial reinforcement in their thick walls by means including (a) using a hollow, light weight mandrel adapted to expand radially at elevated temperatures and windings of alternate layers of filamentary materials positioned substantially axially and substantially circumferentially relative to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel wherein the alternate layers are preferably in a certain thermosettable resin matrix and wound in certain fashion and (b) heating the filament wound mandrel to cure the thermosettable resin wherein heat from inside and out of the mandrel controls the cure and expansion during the heating step. The thick walls preferably incorporate graphite fibers for significant strength in the reinforcement provided by the filamentary materials.

Abstract: A composite base structure (70) and end fitting (26) are secured together by a composite joint to form a graphite-epoxy composite nacelle diagonal strut (20). The elongated base structure (70) has a wall (72) formed of a cured epoxy reinforced with layers of graphite fibers (100, 102, 104, 106) extending in elongated and transverse directions. The layers of fibers in the elongated direction (100, 104) and transverse direction (102, 106) extend onto a large diameter end (52) of a conical end portion (46) of an end fitting (26) and terminate on the conical portion adjacent a small diameter end (60). The layers of the elongated and transverse fibers (100, 102, 104, 106) are interlayered with layers (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) of graphite fibers generally circumferentially wrapped on the conical portion (46), the layers on the conical portion being impregnated with the cured epoxy.

Abstract: An ultracentrifuge rotor comprising a body portion formed as a bowl with a central open chamber defined by a thin, cylindrical wall extending from a supporting base and a plurality of nested rings of filament windings surrounding the cylindrical wall for strengthening and stiffening same. The nested rings result in a uniform filament density throughout the ring assembly.

Abstract: A trowel for use in troweling a fluid resin-hardener mixture into the interstices of reinforcing filaments disposed about a rotating pipe-forming mandrel is provided. The trowel is semicircular in cross-section and is biased upwardly against the rotating mandrel as it moves along the length thereof. The trowel has substantially universal movement enabling it to maintain constant contact with the rotating pipe periphery.

Abstract: A piston composed at least in part of fiber-reinforced synthetic resin material, is provided with a piston base or bottom, a piston shaft or shank, and eyes for engagement with a member to be driven by or for driving the piston. According to the method of this invention, the piston bottom and piston shaft are fabricated separately and are form-fittingly interconnected while the eyes are enclosed in a body which is fixed to the piston shaft and abuts at opposite end this shaft and the piston bottom. At least this body and the shaft are formed by a winding of fiber roving impregnated with hardenable synthetic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for the fabrication of cylindrical structures (26) by filament winding of resin impregnated filaments around a novel cylindrical mandrel assembly (10) whereby the mandrel assembly (10) and fabricated cylindrical structure (26) are easily separated after curing of the resin impregnated materials.The invention utilizes an inner, hollow cylindrical mandrel member (11) onto which a metal cable (12) is wound over afterwhich segmented outer mandrel sections (13) are connected to the inner mandrel member by fastener devices (20) installed from the inner side of the inner mandrel member (14). The resin impregnated filament is then wound over the outer mandrel segments (13) and cured in a conventional manner. After curing, the fasteners (20) are removed from the inner side of the inner mandrel (11), and the cable (12) is removed by pulling it from one end of the mandrel assembly (10).

Abstract: A method of making a rocket motor case with an integral nozzle in which the rocket motor has a large length to diameter ratio and is made by applying a linear wrap of fibers as a first layer on a mandrel and then by applying radial wraps over said linear wrap and also conforming the linear fibers to the shape of the nozzle after applying the linear fibers on said mandrel to provide a structure that has sufficient stiffness to accomplish the desired result of a large length to diameter rocket motor case.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic pipe tee is wound around a mandrel according to this method and apparatus. Fiber rovings are delivered to the mandrel by way of a delivery ring translated in an X-Y plane. The mandrel can be rotated around an A axis parallel to the X direction or a B axis parallel to the Y direction. By switching between either rotation around the A axis or around the B axis, a three axis numerical control system can be employed. Means are provided for alternately rotating the mandrel around the A and B axes. Means are provided for independently translating the delivery ring in the X and Y directions as the mandrel rotates. The delivery ring comprises a curved bar around which a band of resin impregnated rovings makes a turn enroute to the mandrel for maintaining a reasonably constant width of the band of rovings.