Improved thermoplastic tape winding using laser or direct-flame heating

Filament winding is one of the most challenging technologies to produce axisymmetrical or even nonsymmetrical structural thermoplastic composite shells with continuous fibre reinforcement. The aims of this contribution are: (1) to present results on laser-assisted high speed filament winding of pre-impregnated thermoplastic tapes and quasi-axial helical filament winding with direct flame, and (2) to compare different heating and pre-heating methods. The key issue in the application of thermoplastic tape winding is heating. Proper heating of pre-impregnated tapes during the on-line winding process can be achieved by a variety of methods: laser and infra-red radiation, hot gas and direct flame. It will be considered how the above heating methods affect the equipment and process costs, energy efficiency and response time.