EasyWinder™

Stand-Alone Control System For Filament Winding

EasyWinder™ is a full-featured, stand-alone control system for filament winding machines. First introduced in 1994, it includes a simplified industrial control panel which provides a user-friendly interface to the entire winding process. Based on the popular Delta Tau PMAC motion control board, EasyWinder™ supports up to six axes of machine motion (with an option for up to eight axes). The PMAC board contains a powerful Digital Signal Processor (DSP) which gives the system high tracking accuracy for higher speed winding of precision parts and the smoothest performance for long life and durability of the machine. EasyWinder™ includes a memory buffer of approximately 35K, which will accomodate up to 100 winding patterns. The total number of patterns in memory depends on the size of the pattern and the number of machine axes in the pattern. Complex pattern structures containing subroutines, (if-then-else, while, etc.) are possible. Patterns may also be generated on a remote station using pattern development software such as FiberGrafiX™(FGX). Patterns are then transferred serially to an EasyWinder™ winding machine using EasyMonitor™, a software module that also serves as a control system monitor. It is possible to locate the EasyMonitor™ server at the winding machine and embed the PMAC board in the PC. This increases the cost of the system as it generally involves an industrial PC and an enclosure for it. However, it brings the convenience of EasyMonitor™’s pattern transferring, status monitoring, message logging, tension control, etc. capabilities to the machine.

Other features of EasyWinder™ include:

Machine Control Language (MCL) Compatible - EasyWinder™ is compatible with FiberGrafiX™ and WiMaX™ patterns, although not all commands and features are supported.

Automation – EasyWinder™ can control tensioners, resin baths and other external processes. Entec CAT tensioning systems are currently supported. EasyMonitor assists in the generation of Programmable Logic Control (PLC) routines for control of these external devices. Up to 16 asynchronous PLC routines are possible. These can monitor analog and digital inputs, set output values, send messages, monitor motion parameters and much more. PLC routines are supported by EasyMonitor, but can also be implemented manually by the capable user.

Feedback - Incremental and absolute feedback from axes servos are both supported. Incremental feedback is standard. Absolute feedback is possible for an additional charge.

Automatic Pattern Generation - On-machine parametric programming of simple shaped parts such as pipe and closed end vessels can be done. Both helical and hoop winding patterns may be generated directly on the machine. Parameters are entered via keypad.

Complete E-Stop Recovery and Autostart – EasyWinder™ can easily and smoothly recover from power failures or emergency stops, resuming the winding project from the moment of interruption.