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Filament winding is a specialized technique used in composite manufacturing, involving the precise and automated winding of continuous fibers onto a rotating mandrel or mold. This method allows for the creation of strong and seamless structures, optimizing the alignment and orientation of the fibers to meet specific design requirements. Filament winding is employed in producing cylindrical or conical composite parts, such as pipes, pressure vessels, and aerospace components, enabling engineers to tailor the strength, stiffness, and performance characteristics of the final product.

Processes in composites manufacturing encompass a diverse array of techniques employed to fabricate composite materials. These processes include methods like hand layup, where layers of resin and reinforcement materials are manually placed, and vacuum infusion, where a vacuum draws resin into a preform. Other techniques like compression molding, filament winding, and automated methods such as 3D printing are utilized to create intricate and specialized composite structures. Each process offers unique advantages in terms of precision, scalability, and efficiency, catering to diverse industry needs. As technology advances, newer methods are emerging, promising faster production cycles, reduced waste, and increased customization, driving the evolution of composite manufacturing towards more sophisticated and versatile methodologies.

The wind energy market has long been considered the world’s largest market, by volume, for glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites — and increasingly, carbon fiber composites — as larger turbines and longer wind blades are developed, requiring higher performance, lighter weight materials. The outer skins of wind and tidal turbine blades generally comprise infused, GFRP laminates sandwiching foam core. Inside the blade, rib-like shear webs bonded to spar caps reinforce the structure. Spar caps are often made from GFRP or, as blade lengths lengthen, pultruded carbon fiber for additional strength.

Launch of the “Propellers and Rotors” Joint Partner Project looks to the potential of composite materials and technologies for future product concepts.

The first of GE Vernova’s next-gen 13-MW+ wind turbine has begun producing power at sea following 3 years of testing, supporting both U.K. and U.S. wind farm projects.

Wind energy has always been a highly lucrative business for composites fabricators — even 15 years ago. This popular evergreen article from CW gives a new perspective on just how far this end market and its composite wind blades have come.

CompoTech features its CDuro Epona mountain bike fitted with custom suspension forks, manufactured using its AFL winding and integrated loop technologies. 

Modularly designed system enables easy integration into existing production environments, support Epsilon’s ambitious development projects.

Carbon fiber tidal turbine generator, featuring a horizontal-axis rotor with three composite blades, drives Japan’s transition to tidal energy.

Steptics industrializes production of CFRP prostheses, enabling hundreds of parts/day and 50% lower cost.

Exclusivity agreement applies to using Luran SC in leading edge protection (LEP) for wind turbine applications.

Several companies are making headway to ease the challenging, dangerous and manual job of wind turbine blade upkeep.

Scotland’s renewable energy trade body joins several other members to guide and support technology advancement for recyclability and future wind blade development.