CDI launches M777 horizontal tape placement machine

The M777 offers precision tape placement on small to large diameter straight and tapered mandrels. The placement head controls both the tension of the tape as well as its accurate positioning on the mandrel to ensure consistent production of high quality tubular components. Demand for the machine has been driven by the need for an improved way of manufacturing tubular structures such as golf shafts, fishing rods, bike frames and struts. Ply drop-offs and varying resin content that can occur using the traditional methods of rolling or filament winding affect the weight and performance of the products being manufactured. With a pitch up to 152 mm, the M777 can process a variety of parts up to 300 mm diameter in a full range of materials. The machine also has the ability to wrap both prepreg and thin film tapes from the same tension head. This allows parts to be completed on one machine. The M777, equipped with precision servo drives and touchscreen control, features 4-axis of motion, a pivoting tape placement head with 180º of motion, dual tension control to facilitate precise regulation of small and large rolls, as well as varying tape widths and materials; and a tension cancelling feature to allow for wrapping of long and/or small diameter parts. CDI has a service agent in the UK - Red Composites www.redcomposites.com