The workflow

Below you will find a brief outline of CADWIND’s workflow.

1. Modelling the mandrel

As a basis for its calculations CADWIND needs a model of the mandrel on which the fibres are to be wound. The vast majority of geometries typically used in filament winding technology can be created quickly and easily directly with CADWIND’s integrated Mandrel Model Generator. The models can also be imported from CAD systems or other external sources.

2. iWind: Winding simulation and pattern calculation

Based on the mandrel model CADWIND can simulate the winding of the filaments onto the mandrel. It calculates a list of possible winding patterns according to parameters such as the fibre orientation (the winding angle). Both geodesic and non-geodesic winding patterns are possible. Friction modelling, that is the consideration of the friction between fibre and mandrel, allows to deviate from the geodesic path without slipping and thus considerably extends the range of design and production possibilities.

3. Postprocessor

CADWIND’s Postprocessor calculates the part program which contains the movements that the filament winding machine or the filament winding robot must perform in order to produce the part. All you have to do is to enter the machine's or the robot's characteristic parameters (configuration, dimensions, maximum velocities and accelerations, etc.). The part program can be loaded directly into the machine’s CNC (Computer Numerical Control). Its format can be easily adapted to any machine control system with the help of a simple template file (in most cases it will be some sort of G-code).

4. Machine Simulator and Machine Motion Analyser

CADWIND’s Machine Simulator displays the movements of the machine in an animated 3D simulation. With the Machine Motion Analyser various aspects of the machine movement can be graphically displayed in diagrams, e.g. the position, velocity and acceleration of individual or several machine axes. This allows to control and analyse the machine movement on the computer so that test runs with the machine can be reduced to a minimum.

5. Design Pack

With the Design Pack extension, the entire laminate structure, which is formed by the individual layers of the calculated winding patterns can be exported to a FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software allowing not only the prediction of the laminate’s properties but of the entire component (e.g. its strength). If the properties should not meet the requirements, the winding parameters and/or the mandrel model can be optimized directly in CADWIND.