Non-crimp Tubular Preforming with Automation System and High Productivity

A new filament winding method developed in this study named MFW (multiple-supply FW) method. It performed a high productivity. In the MFW method, a large number of bobbins are used. Carbon fibers are arranged equiangularly above a mandrel, and they are wound and stacked on the mandrel simultaneously. Furthermore, CFRP pipes with non-crimp structure were made by MFW, and the torsional tests were performed in order to investigate mechanical properties comparing with braided CFRP pipes. These results made clear that the non-crimp structure by MFW was capable to improve torsional properties. The MFW machine produce non-crimp tubular preform with carbon fiber automatically. It is expected to produce non-crimp preforms for automotive parts which required high productivity.