TY - EJOU AU - Wang, Guiying AU - Wang, Xigui AU - Zhao, Hong AU - Huang, Yinggang AU - Ju, Jinyong AU - Erdun, E. E TI - A Low-Cost 3-Axis Computer Controlled Filament-Winding Pattern Design Method for Composite Elbows T2 - Intelligent Automation \& Soft Computing PY - 2021 VL - 30 IS - 2 SN - 2326-005X AB - 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. KW - Composite elbow; 3-axis filament winding machine; winding pattern; computer controlled DO - 10.32604/iasc.2021.019274