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Composite
Pressure Vessel
The project on
development of composite pressure vessels was launched in
March 2002 under the Advanced Composites Programme of TIFAC
in partnership with M/s. Kineco Pvt. Ltd., Panaji and with
technology support from IIT-Bombay. The project aimed at developing
filament wound pressure vessels for the following applications
:
- Under carriage FRP tanks (450 mm dia)
with 2.00 bar operating pressure to be fitted in railway
passenger coaches for water supply to the toilets.
- Two sizes of pressure vessels (500
mm & 600 mm dia) for water treatment application; operating
pressure : 3.50 bar.
All the above three vessels were designed
as per BS 4994. For fabricating composite pressure vessels
with dished/hemispherical ends, multiple axes filament winding
facility was found essential. As an integral part of the project,
TIFAC had decided to support development of a multiple axes
CNC filament winding facility. Development and fabrication
of first such facility in the country was taken up by CNC
Technics Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. Within a short period of 8
months, 4-axes (with one additional X-axis) CNC filament winding
system has been designed, developed & fabricated. The
system has the following unique features :
- The filament-winding machine is powered
& controlled by SIEMENS 840 D control system.
- Pressure vessels/pipes with diameter
ranging from 50 mm – 4.00 metres can be wound on the
system.
- Length of the job being wound can vary
from 1.00 metres – 9.50 metres.
- While the first spindle can wind diameters
ranging from 50 mm – 1500 mm at high rotational speed,
the second spindle can rotate diameters up to 4.00 metres
at relatively slower speeds. The second spindle can hold
component and mandrel weight up to 6.00 tonnes.
- The unique design of the cross axis
allows the winding pattern to be unaltered from 50 mm –
4.00 metres dia.
- The main filament winding carriage
feeding the impregnated glass fibre moves at a very high
speed of 60 metres per minute.
- The creel stand for fibreglass rovings
accommodates 24 spools and has adjustable mechanical tensioning
device at its spool. The tension can be accurately controlled
for each roving.
- The drum type resin bath with micrometric
adjusting doctor’s blade can control resin pick-up
accurately. Top wetting rollers assure proper wetting of
rovings and squeeze blades remove excess resin. A temperature
controller and a hot water pump controls the resin bath
temperature within ± 2°C enhancing the pot life
of epoxy resins.
- The CNC control system is enclosed
in a fully sealed panel, which has a piggyback air conditioner
and can work in any environment.
Development and fabrication of
such a highly advanced & sophisticated machine has been
the major milestone of the TIFAC project. This is a world-class
machine, which can also be used for making missile components
including rocket motor casings. This being an advanced technology,
is closely guarded and protected under MTCR by USA, France
and other countries.
The multiple axes filament winding system
developed by CNC Technics has been priced at around one third
the price prevailing in the international market, if at all
import is allowed. The Company has entered into a tie-up with
a US agency for exporting these multiple axes machines to
mainland USA.
The Advanced Composites Programme has
been instrumental in developing the indigenous capability
of such a sophisticated machine while actually targeting at
composite products & applications.
For further information, please contact
Director,
Technology Information,
Forecasting & Assessment Council,
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi-110 016, India.
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