http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1157143472/x-winder-the-worlds-first-desktop-filament-winder
Looks like a good start on a inexpensive setup for tubing. I’d be interested on hearing comments from people with filament winding experience.
No experience with filament winding but as an AFP machine designer I think it’s a cool little machine. For the price I almost paid for the 8’ model but want to investigate some more. Making tubes by hand with mandrels and shrink tape is a PIA.
For me the design software that out puts g code is the most interesting part. The mechanical assembly is fairly simply. I think that the machine as is would need some modification anyway to enable it to do 0 degree passes.
They only show a 45 degree angle, but I presume you can do other angles as well. 0 degree however indeed would need modification.
I am also a bit curious on the fiber exit. As for now it is a quite large hoop. Again, OK for the middle part, but perhaps less ideal for the ends and other angles.
Most curious thing is the USD 500 which is to be paid extra when living outside the USA. (and shipping is charges seperately, so that cannot be the answer. Also you do not get the epoxy, so that subtracts from the equation as well). I asked them, as I am curious on the machine.
I’ve asked them a few questions. They say it can wind 89-20 degrees though the screen shot of the design software warns of anything under 35. It is strange the standard models are $400 more for internationals but for the early adopter special they are only $1 more for the international model.
I inquired about the high price for international. This is to cover extra packaging, and to account for shipping costs if something goes up-side-down.
After my inquiry they added the extra options. They do seem to care about their customers.
i like it… i wish i had the cash for that… i want the 8 footer! …
-david
If it could do a true wing (concave on top) i would buy the 8 footer.roller pressing carbon tow aginst tool…
That type of machine would be called an Automated Fiber Placement(AFP) or Automated Tape Layer (ATL) which can add or cut the fiber on the fly. It’s basically a massive Carbon Fiber 3D printer.
What would you use the wing for? Filament winding a wing is not the ideal way to make it. You have a lot more design and loading issues than a generic wind can do.