Open Access

ARTICLE

A Low-Cost 3-Axis Computer Controlled Filament-Winding Pattern Design Method for Composite Elbows

by Guiying Wang¹, Xigui Wang^1,*, Hong Zhao², Yinggang Huang¹, Jinyong Ju¹, E. E Erdun³

1 College of Engineering & Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
2 Engineering Research Center of Flax processing technology Ministry of Education, P.R.C, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161006, China
3 Kennedy College of Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01852, USA

* Corresponding Author: Xigui Wang. Email:

Intelligent Automation & Soft Computing 2021, 30(2), 651-662. https://doi.org/10.32604/iasc.2021.019274

Received 08 April 2021; Accepted 12 May 2021; Issue published 11 August 2021

Abstract

The aeronautics and aerospace industries often require special-shaped parts made from lightweight materials with a constant resistance, such as filament winding composite elbows and tees. Filament winding patterns can be realized using numerically controlled filament winding machines. Herein, a 3-axis computer controlled filament winding machine is proposed to solve existing problems with winding of composite elbows such as inconsistent quality, low productivity, and high costs. In this study, a geodesic winding equation for the torus and non-geodesic winding equation for the cylindrical sections of the elbow are provided and the winding angle α’ is optimized. Furthermore, the correspondence relationship between the cylindrical and torus section motion is derived. The winding pattern is optimized and tested using the proposed 3-axis filament-winding machine. The results show that the optimal winding pattern design can be easily calculated with a programmable multi-axis controller using a simple control program, and a consistent winding pattern can be achieved. This paper provides a low-cost manufacturing method for the filament winding of composite elbows with cylindrical ends of unequal lengths.

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