CNC Filament Winding is one of the very important processes in composites technology. This precise engineering concept involves the laying of impregnated fibres on to a mandrel or liner in a programmed geometrical pattern so as to achieve the desired parameters of a component.
The major components of filament winding are :
- FIBRE
- RESIN
- TOOLING
- PROCESS EQUIPMENT
- WINDING SOFTWARE
CNC Filament Winding Machines are designed and manufactured in various configurations based on application.
Axes configurations is shown below:
1. For manufacturing pipes or other cylindrical parts, Nnormally a 2 axes winder would suffice.
2. For Tanks, Vessels etc., where you need to wind on the end domes as well, you need a 4 axes machine
For more complicated Non-Axi - Symmetric jobs a 6 or 7 axes winder would be required.
FIBRE :
Various types of fibres are used depending on application:
1. Glass fibre is the most widely used fibre.
2. Carbon fibre which is a more expensive is a choice for high end application where the strength to weight ratio is high.
3. Aramid fibre
4. Boron on fibre
5. Basalt fibre
6. Natural fibres like jute.
RESINS :
Some of the resin systems used are:
1. Polyester
2. Vinyl ester
3. Isopthalic
4. Epoxy
5. Bisphenol
TOOLING:
1. Tooling comprises of mandrels or moulds on which the fibres are laid and subsequently extracted.
2. Moulds or tooling can be of steel or fibre glass, inflatable rubber, plastic liners, sand mandrels, wooden mandrels etc.
PROCESS EQUIPMENT:
Processing comprises of :
1. Mould or mandrel preparation.
2. Resin mixing and filling in bath.
3. Filament Winding along with program generation.
4. Curing.
5. Extraction of required.
6. Post processing where required.
7. Testing.
WINDING SOFTWARE: 
CNC Technics is tied up with CRESCENT TECHNOLOGIES, UK for using CADFIL Software on their filament winders. CADFIL Software is a sophisticated filament winding software which comes in different modules for various applications. Support for this software is supplied by both CRESCENT as well as CNC Technics and is fully compatible with SIEMENS control systems.
