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Mandrel Lagging behind in 4-Axis winding

Hello!

 

I'm working on a 6 Inch mandrel with spherical domes and the mandrel speed is slower when fiber is passing the cylindrical region and suddenly speeds up at ends. Is this normal? this causes the fiber not to position near the previous fiber and sometimes pushes the previous placed fiber with it. I haven't seen mandrel speed change during 4-axis winding videos.

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X-Winder for sale

Selling Kickstarter 2 axis version. Haven't used it for about 5 years but when I packed it away it was working. From and ad on a local marketplace:

 

-Winder Kickstarter version 2m aluminium profile for sale. These are used to custom wrap carbon fiber profile for wings, boom spars, bike tubes etc in carbon fibre, fibreglass, basalt and aramid. I used this successfuly for a couple of months but then stored in for 5 years and no longer have a need for it. These retail for about $4500 AUD.

 

Condition: has some epoxy resin over the extrusions which don't affect the performance. The t nuts are rusty but could be easily replaced buying the supplies from the X Winder store or elsewhere. Some dirt on the USB cables. Haven't started it up in a couple of years but it worked back then.

 

Will ship within Australia at buyers cost or internationally without the 2m rails. 

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problems with the x-winder software

so I found a couple of problems with the software of the x-winder. 

the version I'm using is: designer: 417 executor: 416

the part I'm using is 280mm long and 90mm in diameter with helical ends(not included with length).

the filament used is 2mm in width and 0.2mm in thickness.

 

1. when doing a hoop layer the x-winder will not stop when it reaches its endpoint and will continue to move along the Z-axis. when I looked into this I noticed that the rotational angle was really high so I did some math.

this is the code that the designer creates. 

[Layer 1: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
D0 LA=1_of_3 PA=1 RPM=30,00 CS=1,00 WA=HOOP WM=4AX HOOP TI=0 LD=90 FW=0,079 HL= [Display Layer Properties]
G1 F1,00 Z493,00 R10,00 B5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A1276200,00 [MOVE LEFT END]
G1 F1,00 Z213,00 R10,00 B-5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A2552400,00 [MOVE BACK RIGHT END]
M0 [PAUSE AFTER HOOP WINDING]
G1 F20,066 Z213,00 Y65 E25,400 B5,00 R10 S0
[END Layer 1: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
[END LAYER #1 ----------------------------------------------]

rotations calculated by designer: 1276200/360 = 3545 rotations.

rotations calculated by me: 280mm/2mm = 140 rotations needed to fully envelop the cylinder.

3545/140 = 25.32 times as many as needed to fully envelop the cylinder.

 

2. when trying to circumvent problem 1 by manually changing the rotational values and running the g-code directly from the executor. I noticed that the movements were completely mirrored. even when I directly used unmodified g-code that came from the designer.

when I was looking into this I saw on the executor that the speed was showing negative while the position was moving in the positive direction and vice versa. I then checked if the movements were correct and they were, just mirrored. 

I find this problem rater strange because everything just works but is mirrored.

I activated the executor by pressing manual in the designer software if that helps.

  

3. when modifying the g-code for problem 2 I also found that the g-code the designer makes is inconsistent between layers. this is not a problem as far as I know but still strange.

[Layer 1: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
D0 LA=1_of_3 PA=1 RPM=30,00 CS=1,00 WA=HOOP WM=4AX HOOP TI=0 LD=90 FW=0,079 HL= [Display Layer Properties]
G1 F1,00 Z493,00 R10,00 B5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A1276200,00 [MOVE LEFT END]
G1 F1,00 Z213,00 R10,00 B-5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A2552400,00 [MOVE BACK RIGHT END]
M0 [PAUSE AFTER HOOP WINDING]
G1 F20,066 Z213,00 Y65 E25,400 B5,00 R10 S0
[END Layer 1: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
[END LAYER #1 ----------------------------------------------]


[Layer 2: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
D0 LA=2_of_3 PA=1 RPM=30,00 CS=1,00 WA=HOOP WM=4AX HOOP TI=0 LD=90 FW=0,079 HL= [Display Layer Properties]
M0 [PAUSE BEFORE HOOP WINDING]
G1 F20,066 Z213,00 Y65,00 R20 B0 [Move Carriage to Beginning of Hoop Start]
M0 [PAUSE BEFORE HOOP WINDING]
G1 F1,00 Z493,00 R10,00 B5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A3828600,00 [MOVE LEFT END]
G1 F1,00 Z213,00 R10,00 B-5,00 S30,00 C1276200,00 A5104800,00 [MOVE BACK RIGHT END]
M0 [PAUSE AFTER HOOP WINDING]
G1 F20,066 Z213,00 Y65 E25,400 B5,00 R10 S0
[END Layer 2: HOOP LAYER ----------------------------------------------]
[END LAYER #2 ----------------------------------------------]

as you can see there are multiple differences between layer 1 and 2.

 

does anyone have a solution to these problems? (except problem 3) thanks in advance.

 

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Hey Everyone,

 

I recently purchased the 4 Axis X-Winder and have been attempting to run dry trails to ensure that the X-winder functions properly. I have gone through the set-up wizard and ensured everything is set-up correctly. Now the issue I am running into stems from when I open the X-Winder Executer software. The rotary, linear motors will connect without issue but the carriage and mandrel motor will "blink" and display this error. 

 

DETACHED: PhidgetStepper Phidget Bipolar Stepper Controller

 

Sometimes it's just the carriage motor and sometimes it's both. Whenever this error occurs I am unable to rotate said motors. Now I did the recommended thing and purchased a powered USB hub for the X-Winder however this has not solved the issue. Any advice would be great. Thank you in advance.

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Nose Cone Winding

Hi all,

 

For anybody intersted, here is a novel approach we took for making a nose cone using the 4X-23 in the 3-axis mode of winding. The G-code edits are simple linear feedrate and delivery head changes used to alter the filament deposition rate about the mandrel as it rotated at a constant RPM. 

The result was a one-to-one filament delivery across the entire length of the tool. We are excited to try it out with more exotic profiles, like Von Karmen and cubic ones!

 

Provided below is a segment of the code used, with the alterations highlighted in green (disregard some of the comments in the code). 

 

8674195863?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

Hope this helps! 

 

Cheers,

Nick

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Fiber glass rovings tows

Hi all,

I cant´t find in Brazil to sell a fiberglass tow the unwinds externaly, I could onli find fiberglass rovings that unwind internaly as the image below.  It also doesn´t have the internal tube.

Is there any solution for me to use this king of rovings.

products_ar_070_detail.jpg

THANKS!!!

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Loses synch every time it starts on 2'nd layer

We (Composite Design AB Sweden) have a new 4 axis XWinder setup inlcuding upgrade to the 16" diameter mandrel and Pema 34 motors.

All fine, BUT every time we run the equipment from first layer into second and directly on the first pass to the left, 3 quarters down the pass, the DH linear moves the head forward. CRASH.

Turner has received all the videos, G files and description of the issue so analayze is ongoing but I thought maybe someone recognizes the issue and solved it?

I have tried all three speeds and also running it "dry" without any filament, but no, it is behvaing the same.

HOOP mode works fine and switches nicely from layer to layer.

Suggestions?

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Fiber Glass Rovings

Hi all,

 

I can´t find the kind of tow you suggest in Brazil.  I can only find this kind of fiberglass rovings.  Is it a solution on a new way I can use it with the X-Winder.

Thanks!!!

 products_dr_030.jpg

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Custom G-Code

I've got a custom program that I use to generate my carriage motion, cross feed, and eye rotatation. I'd like to input this machine motion using absolute coordinates. Something like the following:

X1.0 Y1.0 Z0.5

X2.0 Y1.5 Z1.0

etc.

 

Is this possible with the xwinder executor?

 

 

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Winding Machine Optimisation_Composite Braiding Ltd.pdf

We have a 2 axis X-Winder helping in winding 1 mandrel at a time.

Could we add another motor to the current setup and winding 2 mandrels simultaneously? We can add another control box if required.

I have drawn schematics of our current and desired setup and the image of our current setup to help understand my query,

Look forward to any advice. 

 

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Old Software?

Hi Everybody,My teammates and I are trying to get our 4X-23 X-Winder up and running for an upcoming rocket competition. We are running the 4.22 version of the Designer and Executor software and seem to be having some issues:First, during operation of the machine the DH stepper motors become extremely hot to the touch. Secondly, when we use the set-up wizard, we are able to move each axis independently, and then also simultaneously, at very low speeds. However, as soon as we attempt to run a program where the motors are moving more rapidly, they all seize up and make very loud clicking sounds. The executor software display shows everything as moving, but the stepper motors all are stuck.I've read that these issues could be related to the new software update (v 4.22)?? Has this problem happened to anybody else? If so do you have any recommendations for set-up parameters, i.e. max current settings or other software/control panel settings that could be at fault? Otherwise, is it still possible to obtain the 4.16 software in the hope that it may run better?Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!Thanks,Nicholas
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Old Software?

Hi Everybody,My teammates and I are trying to get our 4X-23 X-Winder up and running for an upcoming rocket competition. We are running the 4.22 version of the Designer and Executor software and seem to be having some issues:First, during operation of the machine the DH stepper motors become extremely hot to the touch. Secondly, when we use the set-up wizard, we are able to move each axis independently, and then also simultaneously, at very low speeds. However, as soon as we attempt to run a program where the motors are moving more rapidly, they all seize up and make very loud clicking sounds. The executor software display shows everything as moving, but the stepper motors all are stuck.I've read that these issues could be related to the new software update (v 4.22)?? Has this problem happened to anybody else? If so do you have any recommendations for set-up parameters, i.e. max current settings or other software/control panel settings that could be at fault? Otherwise, is it still possible to obtain the 4.16 software in the hope that it may run better?Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!Thanks,Nicholas
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DH crashing into mandrel

Hi everyone,

We have been experiencing a problem with the X-Winder 4X-34 (Designer V4.22) while winding hemispherical ended mandrels. The problem we have come across is that the delivery head will crash into the hemispherical end when moving in. The DH crashes about a third to a half of the way past the mandrel equator. This all occurs with the mandrel dimensions set as stated in the videos. We have made sure that our initial offsets were correct and these were not the issue. The only way we have been able to get a wind without the DH crashing is by extending the mandrel equators to reduce the hemisphere's radii( I.e. the designer software thinks the hemisphere is flatter than it actually is). We do have a video of this occurring.

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G-Code help

Hello there, I am trying to create a nosecone for a rocket and I am trying to produce both the nosecone and cylindrical shoulder simultaneously, but I am not sure how to do that. I was wondering if I could use the X-Winder program to create the g-code for the cylindrical part and then produce the g-code for the conical part separately, then combine the two g-codes into one program so I can create both parts as one continuous piece. Just getting into winding so any help would be appreciated. Thanks. 

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