Method and Apparatus for Making Fiber Composite Article

A winding assembly comprising:

• a table movable in a transverse direction to a vertical axis;
• a first rod to direct a plurality of glass fibers to at least one stationary rod in a cement bath;
• a pair of pinch rods to engage the plurality of glass fibers and to remove excess cement, wherein the plurality of glass fibers turn in a direction opposite that caused by the first rod;
• and
• a payout eye having a position controlled by the table to vertically apply the plurality of fibers.

A winding apparatus comprising:

• a sleeve to surround a wound article and moveable along a vertical axis, wherein the sleeve is configured to apply a compacting force to the wound article;
• a ring coupled to the sleeve;
• and
• a vibrator mounted on the ring to vibrate the sleeve.

A method for refining a wound article, the method comprising:

• moving a sleeve along the wound article, wherein the sleeve surrounds the wound article;
• applying a compacting force to the wound article with the sleeve;
• and
• vibrating the sleeve to oscillate the wound article.

A system for making a composite article, the system comprising:

• a mandrel having a vertical orientation to support the composite article, wherein a sock is located between the mandrel and the composite article;
• a winding assembly to apply a plurality of glass fibers bathed in cement comprising the composite article, wherein the winding assembly includes a plurality of rods to turn the plurality of glass fibers in a desired direction and a payout eye moveable in a direction transverse to the vertical orientation to apply the plurality of glass fibers in a pattern on the composite article;
• a refining assembly comprising a sleeve surrounding the composite article to smooth surface of the composite article;
• and
• a taping fixture to apply tape to an exterior of the composite article.