Automated towpreg systems provides direct access to wet winding

Century Design Inc. (CDI, San Diego, Calif., U.S.) presents its OnDemand towpreg system, a solution for wet winding that is designed to eliminate high costs and supply chain instability.

CDI’s OnDemand towpreg system delivers a comprehensive solution by granting manufacturers direct access to “affordable” high-quality towpreg materials. With full control over material type and properties, this system enables users to bypass traditional suppliers for more consistent material procurement.

The OnDemand towpreg line features a fully automated process, only requiring a single, entry-level operator. Its compact setup, housed within a 10' × 4' footprint, can integrate seamlessly into the customer’s production environmentt, making it ideal for point-of-use application. The automated system also produces finished towpreg materials tailored to users’ specifications for immediate usability for composite part fabrication.

According to the company, one of the standout benefits of this towpreg line is its versatility — it is compatible with a wide range of industry-standard fibers and resins. Manufacturers can select from an array of customer-formulated or off-the-shelf resin systems to meet specific application needs.

“With the OnDemand material lines for parts makers, we’ve addressed the industry’s need for differentiation and cost efficiency,” says CDI’s lead engineer. “Our technology provides manufacturers with high-quality, customizable products while significantly lowering overall production costs.”

Bringing material production in-house can offer substantial benefits for wet winders. By eliminating the need for external suppliers, manufacturers have the ability to gain full control over production schedules, which further enhances efficiency and reduces lead times. This capability also facilitate rapid optimization of material properties and configuration to best suit downstream processing needs.

The modular design of CDI’s towpreg system is engineered to support not only R&D and small-scale production, but also scaling for high-volume production.