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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.

Reformulated adhesives, available in Europe, are free from BPA and CMR-classified substances. PCR plastic cartridges will also be introduced with some products.

Backed by AI software, Hans Weber’s large-format 3D printing capabilities resulted in the successful development of a Savonius wind turbine blade in under two hours.

Transition from offshore to onshore wind blade production will support the U.K.’s focus on building domestic supply chains, increasing demand.

Wind, marine and industrial market initiatives are progressing swiftly, providing further insight into the company’s future focus and financial outlook.

Second phase will add 384 megawatts to the Tyligulska wind project, bringing it to a capacity of 498 megawatts.

Custom-built, turnkey automated winding and filament placement equipment create new possibilities for manufacturers to cost-effectively produce high-strength structural carbon fiber components.

OEMs and E-drive developers can participate in the free Sept. 25 meeting providing a strategic overview of the collaborative research report and ready-to-engage partner network for implementation projects.

Additional production lines in a third facility within TPI’s Juarex campus will manufacture GE Vernova’s latest wind turbine blade type.

Research at Faserinstitut Bremen’s ECOMAT site, alongside industry partners, aims to enable sustainable, aerospace-focused composites — including thermoplastic welding and cryogenic material testing.

Twenty U.S. teams from 15 states were selected for Phase 1 of funded efforts to develop, mature and commercialize recycling technologies for FRPs and rare earth elements used in wind turbines.