Spotlight Papers: Implementing dome reinforcements on composite pressure vessels with Fiber Patch Placement 

Cevotec has introduced a new Spotlight Paper Series focused on reinforcing composite pressure vessels. The series is based on a joint project with Roth Composite Machinery GmbH and CIKONI composites innovation, who contributed as industry partners to the development and validation of the approach. The papers dive deep into showing how Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) reinforcements can be integrated with conventional filament winding to address structural inefficiencies, particularly in the dome regions of Type 4 vessels. 

Rethinking vessel design: The integration of dome reinforcements 

Filament winding has long been the standard manufacturing process for composite pressure vessels. While effective for cylindrical sections, its limitations become apparent in the domes, where fiber orientations are more complex and difficult to optimize. These areas often require excess material or result in uneven load distribution. 

The use of FPP technology allows for precise reinforcements tailored to specific stress profiles. By applying discrete carbon fiber patches directly onto the liner before filament winding, manufacturers can reinforce high-load areas in a controlled manner, reducing overall material use while increasing the storage volume. 

Series overview: Engineering and production insights 

The Spotlight Paper Series is intended as a technical resource for engineering and production teams. Topics include: 

• How small savings have a big financial impact 

This Spotlight Paper discusses how dome reinforcements can reduce carbon fiber consumption by up to 15%. This reduction lowers production costs while the optimized laminate improves the performance and value of the tank, resulting in very favorable financial results.  

• Why FPP technology is ideal for reinforcements of composite tanks  

A deep dive into the technology that enables industrial adoption of dome reinforcements: The FPP technology. The paper discusses the different manufacturing options for dome reinforcements and explains why Fiber Patch Placement enables superior reinforcements results in industrial production settings. 

• ARTIST STUDIO: Where design of dome reinforcements starts 

This paper takes you on a digital engineering journey on how to design FPP dome reinforcements, integrate them into your overall vessel design, and create a production-ready machine data set – all supported by Cevotec’s CAD-CAM software ARTIST STUDIO.  

• How to integrate dome reinforcements into industrial production  

The series concludes with exclusive insights on industrial implementation. Proposed workflow adjustments can be easily implemented by existing workforce and allow for high flexibility in the physical set-up. This Spotlight Paper illustrates the integration of a SAMBA Pro PV system into an existing shopfloor setup, outlining the practical requirements and considerations for implementation. 

Access the Full Papers 
You can sign up for the full series here: 

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