Multi-Stage Filament Winding

COMPLEX SHAPED FIBRE COMPOSITE COMPONENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PRODUCED USING THE FILAMENT WINDING PROCESS

The filament winding process reliably produces high-quality fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) components and is applied in the fabrication of high volume products. The range of possible geometries is limited to rotationally symmetric components. Component sizes currently being produced range from small round tube cross-sections to aircraft fuselages.

The aim is to apply the classic filament winding process to large individual pieces. This will enable the production of FRP components for the construction industry. The core material is environmentally friendly and reusable. Multi-stage winding cores allow the range of shapes to be extended to include double-curved and undercut geometries. These capabilities dramatically increase the potential applications for load-bearing FRP components in the building industry.

For the industrial production of complex shaped prototypes made of fibre-reinforced polymers, the multi-stage filament winding process will be investigated on a larger scale for the first time. To this end, an industrially applicable process will be developed which will make it possible to produce geometrically complex, load-bearing components for the construction industry in small quantities using multi-part winding core structures. The core material used will be recovered after the component has been produced.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Knippers
Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHER

Nikolas Früh (ITKE)

PARTNERS

HÄHL GmbH
Maus GmbH Modell- und Formenbau

FUNDING

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie, Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen „Otto von Guericke“ (AiF) Projekt GmbH