Application of Taguchi method in the optimisation of filament winding of thermoplastic composites

Purpose: Purpose of this paper was to find the optimum parameters to produce Twintex tubes by filament winding. Design/methodology/approach: Taguchi approach was used for this design. The experiments were done with varying fibers temperature, winding speed, number of layers and roving. Thermoplastic composite rings were manufactured in the thermoplastic filament winding process at selected conditions. The glass and polypropylene fibers (Twintex) were used to produce tubes. The influence of the main process parameters on tensile strength and also shear strength was assessed. Findings: As it is presented in this work, the machining parameters, number of layers and roving affect on shear and tensile strength. Fibres temperature is very significant parameter both in tensile strength and shear test. Research limitations/implications: The main objective of the present study was to apply the Taguchi method to establish the optimal set of control parameters for the tubes by filament winding. The Taguchi method is employed to determine the optimal combination of design parameters, including: fibers temperature, winding speed, number of layers and number of roving. Originality/value: This paper presents new results of optimisation using Taguchi method filament winding process parameters producing new tubes from the thermoplastic (Twintex) material.