Abstract: A filament winding method performs a hoop winding step including a first step of fixing an end of a fiber bundle to a liner surface at a starting position of hoop winding, a second step of hoop winding the fiber bundle having the end fixed to the liner surface in the first step, a third step of fixing the fiber bundle hoop wound in the second step to the liner surface at an ending position of hoop winding, and a fourth step of cutting the fiber bundle upstream in a fiber bundle supplying direction of the position where the fiber bundle is fixed in the third step.

Abstract: A method is presented for making a composite material from strips comprising longitudinal fibers and a binder or resin, which material comprises a number of layer assemblies one on top of the other. Each layer assembly comprises m sets (with m at least 2) of parallel strips each extending in a different direction, Each layer assembly is manufactured by successive steps of depositing groups of parallel strips according to a well defined pattern (without longitudinally interweaving strips with previously deposited strips). Before completing a layer assembly, with the exception of the last layer assembly, by depositing its last group of parallel strips, the first group of parallel strips of the following layer assembly is already deposited. A composite material manufactured with such a method is presented too.

Abstract: An automated in-line feed-through system integrating the delivery, application and infusion of a resin to one or more fiber tows and layup of the one or more infused fiber tows to form a composite structure. The system includes an automated resin delivery, deposition and infusion system configured to deposit the resin on one or more fiber tows and form the infused fiber tows. The system integrates an automated layup system including a compaction roller, a guide roller coupled to an extending cylinder, and an auxiliary roller configured to adhere the one or more infused fiber tows to a substrate. The system further includes a controller configured to control system parameters, including the control of tension of the one or more infused fiber tows within the automated layup system. Other aspects of the automated in-line manufacturing system are also provided.

Abstract: A layup mandrel includes a shell having a tool surface on which plies may be laid up. The shape of the shell is changed by an actuator.

Abstract: An assembly and method for manufacturing a composite reinforcement for unitizing a structure are provided. According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a base having a plurality of pins extending outwardly therefrom to define a structure about which a composite fiber is wound to define a composite reinforcement preform. The assembly also includes a plurality of mandrels positioned adjacent to the base and at least a portion of the composite reinforcement preform, and a cap that is positioned over at least a portion of the plurality of mandrels. The cap is configured to engage each of the mandrels to support the mandrels and the composite reinforcement preform during a curing process to form the composite reinforcement.

Abstract: A fiber placement tool comprising a plurality of tool segments, each tool segment having an outer surface defining a predetermined profile, each tool segment being removably mounted on at least one elongate shaft.

Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process. Also described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight, and methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight.

Abstract: An automatic composite tape placement head includes a roller for compacting tape on a substrate, and a cutter adjacent the roller for cutting the tape at the roller.

Abstract: A collapsible mandrel comprises an inflatable bladder. The bladder includes a reinforcement sandwiched between inner and outer layers of a fluoroelastomeric rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer tube, comprising a tubular inner film made of modified polytetrafluoroethylene, and one or more layers of a planar textile fibrous material, which is saturated with a curable resin, and optionally an outer film. The outer film is preferably made of UV impermeable material. The multilayer tube can be used for repairing pipes, but it can also be used as a stand-alone pipe for transporting fluids such as liquids and gases.

Abstract: A thermal curing device is used to manufacture a high-pressure gas tank by FW method. In the thermal curing device, a tank vessel configured to have a fiber layer formed on its outer surface by winding carbon fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin is held to be rotatable about a virtual central axis of the tank vessel. In the thermal curing device, the tank vessel is heated by a heating unit during rotation, so as to thermally cure the thermosetting resin in the fiber layer and thereby form a fiber-reinforced resin layer. A bubble removal process for preventing formation of air bubble in the fiber-reinforced resin layer is performed at multiple different stages during such heating.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a wound dressing is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a slot, a tension compensator and a take-up device. The slot has two ends and is disposed on the base. The tension compensator is slidably connected to the slot and operable to connect to at least one fiber. The take-up device includes a shaft and a board. The shaft rotates upon being driven, in which the shaft is aligned with a level between the two ends of the slot. The board is secured on the shaft for winding the fiber connected to the tension compensator.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing an FC component with at least one distributing device for placing at least band-shaped material onto a surface of a tool mold or semi-finished product for manufacturing the FC component, wherein the device has at least one bogie truck that carries the distributing device and a guide way that runs around the surface at least partially in its circumferential direction, on which the bogie truck for traversing the distributing device can be moved relative to the surface, as well as a method for manufacturing a fiber composite component and a component fabricated according to such a method.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing a tire in which the time necessary for the manufacture can be reduced without deteriorating uniformity in manufacturing the tire by a strip-build process. The method for manufacturing the tire comprises discharging a strip rubber (S) having a predetermined sectional shape by rubber discharging devices (A1, A2) while rotating a molding drum (B), and successively winding the discharged strip rubber (S) around the molding drum (B) to mold the rubber into a tire shape.

Abstract: A device is provided for winding wire into a coil. The device includes a shaft for turning on an axis; a hub attached to the shaft; inner and outer wheels; a mandrel having an outer radial surface for looping the wire; and a guide connectable to the mandrel and extending past the inner wheel. The shaft is structurally supported by a housing. The inner wheel, mandrel and outer wheel are removably fastened to the hub, the wire passes along the guide and lays along the radial surface of the mandrel, and the shaft rotates for looping the wire around the mandrel. The shaft can be rotated either manually or by a motor. A system is provided that includes the winding device, and further includes a wire-feed device, particularly for arranging several strands of wire into a ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus for the reeling up of fiber bundles, in particular of hollow fiber membrane bundles, and in particular for the manufacture of dialysis filters, includes a reel carrier rotatable around a main axis. The apparatus includes at least two reels which are rotatably supported on the reel carrier, with the axes of rotation of the reels being perpendicular to the main axis of the reel carrier. The apparatus can be used for the wrapping of a fiber bundle with a film, having a receiver of first and second side elements and a flexible channel fastened between them for the reception of the film and the fiber bundle. A drive is provided to move at least the first side element transversely to the channel, and at least one folding device movable transversely to the channel for the folding of the film around the fiber bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus (50) for and method of manufacturing helically wound tubular structures (116) includes a rotating faceplate (74) upon which are mounted a plurality of diameter defining rollers (78) which, in operation, cause a strip material (80) to be plastically deformed into a helical winding which may be lain down in abutting or self-overlapping relationship to form said tubular structure (116).

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a geometrically versatile composite lattice support structure having a seamless three-dimensional configuration. The lattice support structure is created by forming two or more cross supports, such as helical, longitudinal, circumferential and/or lateral cross supports, which intersect to form a plurality of multi-layered nodes. The lattice support structure may be designed without any protrusions extending outward from the overall geometry, thus enabling efficient tooling, and thus enabling ease of mass production. The lattice support structure may comprise a completely circumferentially closed geometry, such as a cylinder, ellipse, airfoil, etc. The method for fabricating the lattice support structure comprises laying up a fiber material, in the presence of resin, within rigid channels of a rigid mold, thus creating a green, uncured three-dimensional geometry of unconsolidated cross supports and multi-layered nodes where these intersect.

Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.

Abstract: An end effector constructing composite members, in which a compaction roller and redirect rollers translate synchronously along the compaction axis. Additionally, the end effector includes an advantageous arrangement of spools and rollers that directs tow to the redirect rollers at substantially a right angle. Movement of the compaction roller along the compaction axis induces little, if any, changes in tow tension. The substantially constant tow tension advantageously reduces rewinding of the tow supply spools, which can degrade the quality of the lay up and contribute to despooling problems.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for applying tape on a plurality of wire to form a harness thereof, the apparatus comprising a casing defining a fixed portion adapted to rotatably receive a moveable portion rotatable about a moveable portion axis, the moveable portion being adapted to secure a roll of tape thereon such that the roll of tape revolves with the moveable portion in a fashion allowing unwinding of the tape on the plurality of wires, the fixed portion and the moveable portion defining cooperating indentations encompassing the moveable portion axis, the indentation in the moveable portion being adapted to be selectively aligned with the indentation of the fixed portion to receive and allow positioning of the plurality of wires about the moveable portion axis such that the tape on the rotating moveable portion being unwounded on the plurality of wires to secure the plurality of wires in a harness.

Abstract: A tool for use in bonding a composite multi-layer shell having complex curvature by the delta-alpha high temperature bonding process. The tool includes a plurality of segments that combine to form a mandrel assembly having a substantially continuous outer surface. The outer surface has a substantially axisymmetric shape including a complex curvature. When the segments are combined to form the mandrel assembly, at least one of the segments is configured to be movable in a substantially inward direction without substantial obstruction by any other segment. The segments are constructed of a first material have a first coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than a second coefficient of thermal expansion of a second material of a composite multi-layer shell to be bonded together using the tool.

Abstract: A device for winding a filament around a structure disposed concentrically around a distal end of a balloon catheter includes a rotatable holder for retaining a distal end of the balloon catheter, a translatable winding carriage for helically winding the tensioned filament around the balloon catheter distal end, a heater for applying a predetermined amount of heat to a section of the balloon catheter having the filament wound therearound, and a controller for controlling at least the rate of rotation of the holder, the tensioning force applied to the filaments the amount of heat applied by the heater, and the rate of travel of the translatable winding carriage along the longitudinal dimension of the balloon catheter. By use of the device, the balloon is heat set and a predetermined checkering pattern of surface indentations are provided in the structure exterior surface in a single pass.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a wrap-around tube from at lest one strip-shaped material, the wrapping is brought about by at least one rotating wrapping element which is indirectly or directly in engagement with the wrap-around tube, and the strip-shaped material is wrapped onto a stationary wrapping core. An apparatus for manufacturing a wrap-around tube from at least one strip-shaped material is distinguished by the fact that it has a rotating wrapping element, which is indirectly or directly in engagement with the wrap-around tube, and a stationary wrapping core, onto which the at least one strip-shaped material is wrapped.

Abstract: An automated tape head assembly for a multiple axis tape laying machine includes a tape supply reel and a tape compaction roller, and a chute. Tape passes from the supply reel, through the chute, to the tape compaction roller. The tape path and at least a portion of the chute are maintained substantially at a zero Gaussian curvature. The tape path and chute are curved to define a compliance loop that results from a substantially or partially unrestrained curved path between the supply reel and the compaction roller. This structure allows the compaction roller to shift laterally and vertically with respect to the supply reel while the supply reel is in a fixed position with respect to the tape head assembly generally. This structure also allows the compaction roller to roll, steer, and follow the fiber tape's natural path, all with significant independence from the supply reel.

Abstract: A wound tube is made of profiled plastic strips, the profiling of which comprises at least the edge region. The edge region is designed such that edge regions of successive coils, the edge regions lying mutually adjacent during winding, can be connected in a form-fitting manner, and at least one of the surfaces of the plastic strips has ribs projecting perpendicularly essentially to one side in order to form a flat inner surface during winding. The tube wall of the wound tube is designed as a double wall and is assembled from a first inner plastic strip and from a second outer plastic strip, wherein the ribs projecting perpendicularly essentially to one side fix the distance of the outer plastic strip from the inner plastic strip. A device with which such wound tubes can be advantageously produced on-site is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head for application of carbon-fibre strips that has at least two spools (1) conveying respective carbon-fibre strips for the selective feed of said strips and in order thus with said strips to make up the width of the stripping for application. These spools (1) are arranged on a master roller (5) formed by independent sections that are actuated individually by respective rotary transmissions.

Abstract: A winding machine (1) according to one embodiment includes a frame (2) that is installed inside an existing pipe (200), a joining mechanism (4) for joining a plastic strip (100), and a wheel (6) for supporting the joining mechanism (4) on an inner surface of the existing pipe (200). The joining mechanism (4) includes an inner roller (42) and an outer roller (43) that sandwich the plastic strip (100) from inside and outside. The wheel (6) includes a rotational shaft at a position different from positions of rotational shafts of the inner roller (42) and the outer roller (43). The outer roller (43) of the joining mechanism (4) is maintained in a state of being separated from the inner surface of the existing pipe (200).

Abstract: Described are methods of making a paint roller using an adhesive made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using preformed strips or core material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 66% calcium carbonate by weight. Described are methods of making a paint roller using a composite cover material made from a compound of polypropylene and calcium carbonate having between 5% and 50% calcium carbonate by weight. One or various compounds may be used to form portions of one or multiple components that make up the paint roller, including, for example, the thermoplastic strips, adhesives and/or the backing of a composite cover material. The materials can be assembled in a continuous manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing extruded coiled tubes for medical purposes is provided which includes rotary shafts protruding from a spindle, each rotary shaft being coupled to a respective flexible shaft resting on a series of supporting elements substantially equidistant to each other and supported by a main central shaft; at least an extrusion head to extrude a ribbon, and at least an extrusion head to extrude a rib; the ribbon and the rib being co-extruded, side by side, and being wound on an ideal surface formed by the external surfaces of the flexible shafts. The apparatus is characterized in that for changing the pitch with which the rib is wound on a base tubular element, formed on its turn by the winding coil of the ribbon, at least two twisting bars operated by a crank are used to rotate the supporting elements with a pre-defined angle.

Abstract: A filament winding apparatus includes a control unit, a rotation mechanism that rotates a mandrel, a hoop winding head that performs hoop-winding, and a helical winding head that performs helical-winding. The hoop winding head includes bobbins that feed fiber bundles to the mandrel and a circulation mechanism that circulates the bobbins around the mandrel. The control unit controls the rotation and circulation mechanisms such that the mandrel is rotated and the bobbins are circulated in the same direction during helical-winding. It is not necessary to cut fiber bundles after hoop-winding, and wasted fiber is not fed during helical-winding, thereby increasing economy and productivity.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a unitary seamless section of an aircraft fuselage comprises a thin lay-up mandrel element disposed onto the outer shell surface of an inner mandrel shell, forming a mandrel with a substantially continuous lay-up surface. A unitary pre-cured section of an aircraft fuselage is formed by laying up a plurality of resin impregnated skin fibers onto the mandrel's lay-up surface while the mandrel rotates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fiber application method and a fiber application machine for producing parts in composite material, such as for the application of a band of fibers on convex surfaces and/or with edges. The machine comprises a fiber application head and a moving system for moving the application head. The application head comprises a compacting system including a compacting roller intended to come in contact against the application surface to apply the band, and a compacting member placed downstream from the compacting roller and exhibiting a substantially planar contact surface, said compacting member being capable of being pressed by its contact surface, against an application surface, substantially on the entire width of a band, by at least one contact line.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding a fiber strand onto a bobbin having a longitudinal axis has a support holding the bobbin for rotation about the axis, a supply for feeding the fiber strand in a travel direction generally radially or tangentially to the bobbin, and a drive for rotating the bobbin about the longitudinal axis and for, when a fiber strand is engaged with the bobbin, winding the fiber strand onto the bobbin. A handling device is rotatable about the axis adjacent the bobbin and carries a strand layer for at a start of a winding operation moving into a predetermined angular position and pressing a leading end of the fiber strand against the bobbin. The handler also carries a cutter on the handling device for at an end of a winding operation cutting the fiber strand and thereby forming a trailing end attached to the bobbin and a new leading end.

Abstract: A fiber placement tool comprising a plurality of tool segments, each tool segment having an outer surface defining a predetermined profile, each tool segment being removably mounted on at least one elongate shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile unit for the construction of an elongated tubular body comprising an elongated, tubular inner hollow core, an elongated, tubular inner casing and an elongated, tubular outer casing, the inner casing surrounding the hollow core, the outer casing surrounding the inner casing, the outer casing comprising one or more layers, each layer consisting of one or more helically wound metal strips, the inner casing and the outer casing as well as any layers in the outer casing being bound to each other by an adhesive, which elongated body has been made by a process comprising constructing the elongated inner casing, providing one or more metal strips, winding the one or more metal strips helically around the inner casing, providing adhesive or a curable adhesive precursor and applying it between the casings and the layers, followed by curing the adhesive precursor when present, the mobile unit comprising a multitude of detachably connected containers (1-11), each container comprising equip

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tubes formed from fiber reinforced composite material, the apparatus including: an elongate hollow mandrel (3) having an internal mandrel cavity (5), the mandrel having an external surface (7) upon which reinforcing fiber material (9) can be wrapped to provide a composite lay-up (10) supported thereon; and fluid flow means (11) for enabling heat transfer fluid of different temperatures to be circulated through the mandrel cavity (5), such that when fluid at an elevated temperature is circulated, heat is transferred from the fluid, through the mandrel (3) to the composite lay-up (10) for curing or forming said lay-up.

Abstract: A mold and method is provided for manufacturing a large diameter fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) cylinder. Longitudinal ends of a circumferential plate are connected with end plates. Central axes stick out at the center of the end plates. Both sides of the circumferential plate and in the radial directions are connected with inward flange plates. The inner side of the circumferential plate is equipped with a back plate that is connected with the end plates and the inward flange plates. Supporting beams are set between inner sides of the circumferential plate and the back plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a laminated composite item (1). The method may comprise the step of winding successive overlapping helical convolutions of resin impregnated tape (2) onto a mandrel (3) while advancing the tape back and forth along the mandrel. Sections of the tape being wound onto the mandrel near an end of the mandrel are folded to obtain an end surface of the composite item which is substantially-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the composite item. The present invention further relates to an alternative method of manufacturing a laminated composite item.

Abstract: An SBS based construction adhesive that includes an amount of SIS adhesive to make an SBS/SIS adhesive that shows excellent shear hang time values when used to manufacture disposable absorbent articles. The SBS/SIS adhesive is applied in a spiral pattern having a particular width and frequency to form an endflap seal that may reduce the likelihood of a gel on skin occurrence.

Abstract: A filament winding apparatus efficiently performs a helical winding process in which the winding angle of the fiber bundle differs. A helical winding head includes two guide rings, adjacently arranged along an axis center of the mandrel, and guide tubes arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the guide rings. The guide rings are switchable between a first state in which phase positions of the guide tubes are matched and a second state in which the phase positions of the guide tubes are evenly shifted in the circumferential direction by a phase switching structure. Tube exits of the guide tubes are arranged close in the first state.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing an embedded cylinder pipe by applying a composite structural reinforcement within the pipe through in situ stratification of at least one band of reinforcement fibers and a resin or a resin including matrix comprising the steps of applying said band onto a contact area on an internal face of said pipe by means of a contacting member; moving said contacting member along an helical path so that said contact area follows said path; moving a main pressing member behind said contacting member along said path, to apply pressure to said band in a main pressure area separated from said contact area. Related device for reinforcing an embedded cylinder pipe by applying a composite structural reinforcement within the pipe.

Abstract: A wire-gathering device to position a plurality of electrical wires without swing to the center of a rotating drum regardless of size of outer diameters of a bundle of the electrical wires by means of a simple configuration. The wire-gathering device includes the rotating drum having a notch for allowing insertion of the wires and an adhesive tape together and a band disposed in the notch for resiliently supporting and gathering the wires with a curved surface thereof. The band is resilient. The wire-gathering device further includes a slider slidably disposed in the notch and fixing the band, wherein the slider is urged toward an opening of the notch with a resilient member.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a vinyl cover to an elongated member utilizes a sheet extruder providing a sheet of pliable vinyl or fiber reinforced polymer of predetermined width, a feed conveyor capable of supporting and rotating an elongated member adjacent the sheet extruder such that a still hot and pliable sheet may be applied thereto beginning at a proximal end as the wooden member rotates. The feed conveyor includes a linear drive urging the member transversely of the sheet extruder to position the member for continuous application of the sheet substantially along the length thereof, a rotary drive engaging the member at the proximal end and capable of rotating the member to continuously apply the sheet over an opposite end of the member.

Abstract: A process of constructing a large diameter tank is provided. The process includes the step of providing a tank wall mandrel that has at least one drive wheel and at least one curved panel. Glass fibers are applied from a vertical winder to the curved panel in order to form a segment of a tank wall shell. Additional glass fibers are also applied to the curved panel at a location above the segment of the tank wall shell in order to form a unitary tank shell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wound dressing. The wound dressing includes a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer stacked on and bound to the first fiber layer. The first fiber layer consists of a plurality of a first fiber that are made of an alginate wherein the first fibers are respectively bound with one another, and are substantially extended in parallel along a first direction. The second fiber layer consists of a plurality of a second fiber that are made of an alginate, wherein the second fibers are respectively bound with one another, and extend in parallel along a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction. The second layer is stacked on the first layer with the second fibers being bound with the first fibers. The first fibers and the second fibers respectively have a length such that the wound dressing has a breaking strength for at least 1.5 kg.

Abstract: A device for winding a filament around a structure disposed concentrically around a distal end of a balloon catheter includes a rotatable holder for retaining a distal end of the balloon catheter, a translatable winding carriage for helically winding the tensioned filament around the balloon catheter distal end, a heater for applying a predetermined amount of heat to a section of the balloon catheter having the filament wound therearound, and a controller for controlling at least the rate of rotation of the holder, the tensioning force applied to the filaments the amount of heat applied by the heater, and the rate of travel of the translatable winding carriage along the longitudinal dimension of the balloon catheter. By use of the device, the balloon is heat set and a predetermined checkering pattern of surface indentations are provided in the structure exterior surface in a single pass.

Abstract: An automated tape head assembly for a multiple axis tape laying machine includes a tape supply reel and a tape compaction roller. Tape from the supply reel passes through the space between the two independent structures of the supply reel and compaction roller defining a tape path that substantially maintains a zero Gaussian curvature of the tape. The tape path is a curved path referred to as a compliance loop that results from a substantially or partially unrestrained curved path between the supply reel and the compaction roller. This structure allows the compaction roller to shift laterally and vertically with respect to the supply reel while the supply reel is in a fixed position with respect to the tape head assembly generally. This structure also allows the compaction roller to roll, steer, and follow the fiber tape's natural path, all with significant independence from the supply reel.

Abstract: A flexible duct including: a first, inner layer that includes multiple helical windings of a strip of thin flexible material; a second layer overlying and adhered to the first, inner layer and including multiple helical windings of a tube containing insulating material; and a helically wound reinforcing element.

Abstract: A fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, that includes a system for displacing a fiber application head, fiber storage means, and fiber conveying means for conveying fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means include flexible tubes connecting the storage means to the application head, each flexible tube being fitted with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular transverse cross-section, said flexible blade being placed substantially parallel to the plane of transport of the fiber received in the inner passage of the flexible tube.