About Entec Composite Machines
Four engineers from Hercules Powder Company founded Entec Composite Machines, Inc. in 1962. Specializing in filament winding equipment for the aerospace business and eventually branching into commercial markets Entec is the worlds leading manufacturer of composite machinery. In November 1999 Zoltek Companies Inc., a carbon fiber manufacturer headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, purchased Entec. With a goal of vertical integration, Zoltek saw the potential to supply carbon fiber materials along with machine solutions for their customer’s needs.
Entec’s core business for nearly 20 years was the aerospace industry. Using its experience in building quality precision equipment Entec began branching out into the commercial industry. In recent history Entec has made a very successful transition to multi-spindle commercial applications and designs. Entec has now delivered more multi-spindle machines than any other filament-winding manufacturer.
Equipment built by Entec can be found in nearly 40 countries around the world, including more than 700 filament winding machines, 130 pultrusion machines, several complete high-pressure pipe manufacturing facilities, and various other auxiliary equipment (tape laying machines, fiber placement machines, gantry systems, curing ovens, resin baths, creels, extractors, cut-off saws, tensioning equipment, etc.)
In the early 1960’s and 70’s, winding machines were cumbersome, mechanical pieces of equipment requiring changes to gears in order to alter a wind angle. With the advent of computers, Entec envisioned how the versatility of winders could be greatly expanded and then built the world’s first computer-controlled filament winding machine. These computer controlled winders have now increased in sophistication so that up to 11 axes of motion can now be controlled, along with fiber tension, resin mixing, spindle speed, etc.
Entec has developed the reputation for producing the most durable winding machines on the market. Entec has a long history of upgrading mechanical winders to computer control systems, as well as replacing inferior control systems with Entec quality controls and software. The retrofit business gives the customer the option of economically refurbishing a machine rather than purchasing a new piece of equipment.
Another major accomplishment in Entec’s evolution was the development of the world’s most-used pattern generation software. It is this software that directs the machine how to lay down the fiber. The advancement of the FiberGrafiX software continues. Now the pattern generation software can be used on any filament-winding machine, no matter who the manufacturer is. This option gives our customer’s greater flexibility and more control over their product design. The development of this software has saved companies millions of dollars in design, employee training, and testing time.
Entec encompasses a 78,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Salt Lake City. To maintain the highest quality control standards, Entec performs all of its own machining and electrical wiring, including the manufacture of some computer boards.
Entec’s staff is made up of some of the industry’s most experienced mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and computer programmers (for a detailed list of key personnel visit our Organization page).
As a service to its customers, Entec sponsors an annual Filament Winding and Pultrusion Workshop where customers come from all over the world to receive training with industry experts.
Although located in Utah, Entec’s name is known throughout the world for composite machinery. About 70% of the world’s filament wound golf shafts and over 80% of the world’s composite pressure vessels are wound on Entec filament winding machines. Facilities like Lincoln Composites, Luxfer Gas Cylinders, Structural Composite Industries, Aerojet, Draeger Limited, Pressure Technology and others located in South America, China and Russia all use Entec machines and software when winding composite pressure vessels.
Entec has designed and developed their own line of equipment to manufacture API certified high-pressure line pipe and down hole tubing for the oil and gas industry. This package includes complete technology on manufacturing both the pipes and the fittings. Additionally, Entec teaches these customers testing and installation procedures to assure their ability for success. Installations in China, Russia and the United States have made Entec one of the foremost authorities on this composite product.
Besides having built the world’s first computer controlled filament winder and the world’s most used pattern generation software, Entec has also built the world’s largest five axes computer controlled filament winding machine.
This machine is used to produce large wind turbine blades for power generation. The machine can wind a part 180’ in length and more than 25’ in diameter with a part weight in excess of 300,000 lbs. This multi-million dollar machine installed in Italy is one of the most unique designs of any winder in the world. Having the ability to lay down over 200 rovings of material and cantilevering a part weight of 300,000 lbs. had never been tried before and has not been accomplished since.
In contrast, some of the world's smallest machines have been manufactured by Entec for use in universities, research facilities and companies to test sample parts before going into full-scale production.
Entec has developed the Composite Technology Development Center. This facility is located at the Salt Lake City site. It was created to aid in the research and development of new processes in pultrusion and filament winding. It allows Entec’s customers another option and showcases the company’s abilities.
Entec has set the standard for high quality composite machines which offer the best value to its customers. By being the supplier of choice for such manufacturing giants as NASA, Alliantech Systems, Boeing, Thiokol, Aerojet, Ameron, SCI, Luxfer, Daewoo, McDonnell Douglas, Fiat Avio, Nissan Aerospace and Toray speaks of Entec’s abilities and strong reputation worldwide throughout the composite industry.
Whether your need is additional capacity, starting up a new facility or assistance in developing a new product, the experience of Entec can help you see your project to a successful conclusion. When quality and experience matter most, look to Entec - building solutions for your needs.