Fiberglass Reducer Production Equipment

1. Turning/Winding Machine

This is the most commonly used and efficient equipment for producing fixed-length, rotating variable-diameter products (such as pipe reducers).

Device Principle: It integrates turning and winding functions in a single machine. A contouring arm (or CNC axis) drives the resin and glass fiber guide wheels in a reciprocating motion along a rotating variable-diameter mandrel.

Operation:

A prefabricated variable-diameter mandrel is mounted on the machine's main shaft.

The main shaft rotates the mandrel.

The contouring arm precisely controls the distance between the guide wire and the mandrel surface according to the mandrel's diameter, achieving wraparound and spiral winding.

By adjusting the fiber angle and winding pattern, the strength and stiffness requirements of the product at different diameters are met.

Advantages: High degree of automation, stable product quality, uniform fiber tension, and highly customizable strength. Applicable Products: Various sizes of reducer pipes/fittings, rocket engine covers, conical towers, etc.

2. Centrifugal Casting Machine

Mainly used to produce reducer pipes with extremely smooth inner surfaces.

How it works: A mixture of resin and chopped glass fiber is sprayed into a rotating reducer mold. Under the action of centrifugal force, the material is tightly pressed against the mold wall, and air bubbles are eliminated, resulting in a dense, smooth inner surface.

Advantages: Mirror-smooth inner surface with excellent hydraulic performance; product density and strong leak resistance.

Disadvantages: Large equipment investment and mold costs, generally more suitable for large-scale production.

Applicable Products: Reducer drainage pipes and ventilation pipes requiring high inner wall smoothness.

3. Continuous Winding Machine (Special Design)

This is the most advanced technology for producing infinitely long reducer pipes. The equipment is very complex and expensive.

How it works: By dynamically adjusting the radial position of multiple winding units on the winding ring, the winding diameter is changed in real time on the continuously advancing pipe billet, achieving continuous pipe diameter change. Advantages: Reduced-diameter pipes can be produced continuously, just like regular-diameter pipes, with extremely high efficiency.

Disadvantages: The technical threshold is extremely high, and the equipment is extremely expensive, making it available only to a few top-tier companies.

Applicable Products: Large-diameter reducer pipes for ultra-long-distance transportation.

Auxiliary Production Equipment and Manual Processes

For small-batch, large-size, or highly unusually shaped reducer products, the following semi-mechanized or manual processes are still indispensable:

4. Manual/Jet Vacuum Infusion System

This is a very flexible method suitable for large, non-standard reducer products.

Required Equipment:

Vacuum pump: Core equipment, generates negative pressure.

Resin infusion tube and vacuum bagging: Sealing system.

Infusion mesh and release cloth: Auxiliary materials.

Process:

Lay glass fiber reinforcement material on the reducer mold.

Completely seal it with vacuum bagging.

Start the vacuum pump, drawing in the resin under negative pressure and completely saturating the fibers.

Advantages: Relatively low mold cost, smooth finish on both sides, high fiber content, and environmentally friendly. Applicable Products: Large variable diameter covers (such as fan covers), ship hulls, and special-shaped variable diameter parts.

5. Traditional Hand Lay-up Tools

The most basic and flexible method, suitable for prototypes, small batches, or large products.

Required Equipment: Very simple, primarily consisting of a roller, brush, and resin mixing container.

Process: Workers manually lay fiber cloth on the variable diameter mold and apply resin with a roller, layer by layer.

Advantages: Virtually unrestricted by product shape and size, with minimal initial investment.

Disadvantages: Highly dependent on worker skill for quality, low efficiency, high labor intensity, harmful resin volatilization, and poor product quality consistency.

Regardless of the process, the variable diameter mold is one of the most critical pieces of equipment.

Fiberglass molds: Most commonly used, moderately cost-effective, and suitable for small to medium batches and large products. High precision is required.

Metal molds (steel/aluminum): Used for centrifugal casting, compression molding, or high-performance winding, they offer high precision and long life, but are expensive. Wooden mold/gypsum mold: usually used as a transitional master mold for making fiberglass molds, used for single-piece or sample production.