Know how

Strenght Assessment and optimization of carbon tubes

In the manufacture of the tubes there is very important factor to prepare the model for calculation, which is used as a comparison with a real product, which is measured and tested. Our goal is stiffer and more functional tube.

The second step leads to analyze and modify the layers of the tube, made from fibers, so this leads to improve the critical properties of the tubes. The aim of the modifications is not necessarily to reduce the weight of the tube itself, but rather to find out the possibilities and find the optimal composition of the individual layers and layers of materials in order to achieve savings in materials, improve the strength and rigidity and reduce the price of the final product.

Therefore, in order to ensure the desired quality characteristics of the product, our products are stressed to a variety of the tests: Bend, Stiffness, External pressure withstand, Twisting

Filament winding

Is a technique of laying down impregnated fibers in various directions and axis on a thorn. Fibers are wound in horizontal and vertical ways in different angles by the CNC machine. When the thorn is completely covered by fibres, then it is placed into an oven to polymerise the resin. Once the resin has been polymerised, the product is removed from the thorn by a hydraulically powered puller mechanism, that leaves the hollow final product.

The orientation of fibers, different angles of wound fibers, the amount of layers, the characteristics of fibers and the combination of materials allow us to:

• determine the strength and rigidity of parts
• create the composite with the features of your demands
• make the product, which is able to withstand several stress tests (bend, stiffness, internal/external pressure and twisting)
• solidify areas, which will be predicted to strain (milling, drilling, etc.

Lay up

This process uses fabrics which have the resin impregnated into them, generally known as pre-pregs, which are used in the amount, that is defined by calculations. Pre-pregs are laid up either around the mandrel or into the mould (in case of more dimensionally structural parts than tubes).

Our company uses mainly pre-pregs with unidirectional oriented fibers called – UD with the low weight. Our UD pre-pregs weigh from a 20 grams to 110 grams. The module of the pressure tolerancy is between 230 – 790 GPa (gigapascal).

Parts made by Lay up technology are (same like “filament winding parts”) polymerized in the oven under the pressure (vacuum bagging, moulding…). Tubes are spiral wrapped by the heat-shrink tape, that gives them characteristic ribbed appearance and compactness – raw product.

Combined process

This process connect together two different technological processes, leading to products with interesting strength properties. Products are manufactured in two stages, when at the first CNC machine winds layers of carbon fiber, and then in a second step the fibers are placed with layers of UD layers (Uni-directional)

Those products are for these, who look for different technical solutions for the given purpose.

Compression molding

Compression molding is a forming process in which a carbon/glass material is placed directly into a heated aluminium mold, then is softened by the heat, and forced to conform to the shape of the mold as the mold closes. The heat and pressure are maintained until the molding material has fully cured.

Compression molding is a high-pressure method suitable for high-strength carbon parts.

This method of molding is greatly used in the manufacturing automotive parts such as hoods, fenders, scoops, spoilers, as well as smaller more intricate parts.