Method to evaluate winding trajectories in robotized filament winding

Robotized filament winding technology involves the deposition of a tape according to a planned robot trajectory and its polymerisation in a furnace for thermoset resin matrix. In this way it is possible to wind asymmetric or complex parts. The winding trajectory is a critical aspect of the robotized filament winding process, since the mechanical performances and the winding time of the manufac- tured composite part change according to winding trajectory geometry. This work presents an original method to optimize and to compare alternative winding trajectories for robotized filament winding. The proposed method uses a set of geometric parameters that characterize the winding process and, in the same time, that are easy to measure. Therefore, the implemented method is quick and user friendly. The designed method has been implemented and tested on two different trajectories that have been planned to wind a same composite part.