The invention provides a machine (4) and a method for laying cables helically on the outside surface of a unit pipe element (2) for transporting fluids, the machine comprising a rotary frame (14) for centering about an axis of symmetry (X-X) of the unit pipe element, the frame supporting a plurality of winding elements designed to receive cables, each being situated in a respective plane that is longitudinal relative to the unit pipe element and the planes being spaced apart from one another around the axis of symmetry of the unit pipe element, means for adjusting the angle of inclination of each winding element relative to the longitudinal plane in which it is situated, a linear travel stepper motor for moving the frame along the unit pipe element, and a rotary travel stepper motor for causing the frame to turn about that axis of symmetry of the unit pipe element.

A polymer-based embolization device comprises a helix constructed by a linear structure. The linear structure is either a fibrous structure or composed of an A structure (1) and a B structure (2), wherein the A structure (1) is a protrusion on the linear structure and the B structure (2) is a pillar-shaped structure positioned between two A structures (1) for connecting the two A structures (1). The embolization device adopts a linear structural design and is integrally manufactured using a polymer material via a four-axis rapid forming system or via a compression method, thereby addressing issues of generation of image artifacts during CT and magnetic resonance imaging. The combination of design, material, and technique of the invention provides the device with improved flexibility and embolus formation, and can satisfy different clinical requirements. When a biodegradable macromolecular material is selected for manufacturing, blood vessel obstruction caused by implant degrading can be avoided, allowing the blood vessel to return to a normal structural state.

A polymer-based embolization device comprises a helix constructed by a linear structure. The linear structure is either a fibrous structure or composed of an A structure (1) and a B structure (2), wherein the A structure (1) is a protrusion on the linear structure and the B structure (2) is a pillar-shaped structure positioned between two A structures (1) for connecting the two A structures (1). The embolization device adopts a linear structural design and is integrally manufactured using a polymer material via a four-axis rapid forming system or via a compression method, thereby addressing issues of generation of image artifacts during CT and magnetic resonance imaging. The combination of design, material, and technique of the invention provides the device with improved flexibility and embolus formation, and can satisfy different clinical requirements. When a biodegradable macromolecular material is selected for manufacturing, blood vessel obstruction caused by implant degrading can be avoided, allowing the blood vessel to return to a normal structural state.

The machine comprises: a working head carrying appropriate working tools to perform one or more working operations on a tube; a feeding unit for feeding the tube along its longitudinal axis towards the working head; a programmable control unit for controlling the feeding unit and the working head; and an optical sensor arranged to optically measure the forward displacement of the tube being worked along its longitudinal axis and/or the rotational displacement of the tube being worked about its longitudinal axis.

It is possible to achieve reduction in the occurrence of tension decrease at fiber bundles in a sheet. A method of manufacturing a tank includes several steps. A feed step is carried out of feeding a sheet including aligned fiber bundles while applying tension to the sheet in the longitudinal directions of the fiber bundles. The method further includes a detection step of detecting a decreased tension part subjected to tension decrease in the sheet being fed and a tension recovery step of compensating for the tension decrease at the decreased tension part by spraying an organic solvent if the decreased tension part is detected in the detection step. The method also includes a winding step of winding the sheet having been fed on a liner.

A method of manufacturing a connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: manufacturing a tube which runs parallel to a central axis C from fibre-reinforced polymer, said tube comprising a hub portion 206 and a flange-forming portion 208 located adjacent to the hub portion 206, wherein the hub portion 206 comprises continuous circumferentially oriented fibre-reinforcement 210; and the hub portion 206 and the flange-forming portion 208 comprise longitudinally oriented fibre-reinforcement 212 which runs continuously from the hub portion 206 into the flange-forming portion 208; and bending the flange-forming portion 208 away from the central axis C such that it extends from the hub portion 206 at an angle to the central axis C.

A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit comprises: providing a tubular mandrel which extends substantially parallel to a central axis C; winding continuous fibre reinforcement, impregnated with a thermosetting polymer, around the mandrel to form a tubular hub portion which extends substantially parallel to the central axis C; curing the hub portion; placing the hub portion into a mould featuring at least one cavity; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to fill the at least one cavity to form a flange portion around the hub portion.

A method of manufacturing a composite (e.g. fibre-reinforced polymer) connector for a fluid transfer conduit includes: manufacturing a continuous fibre pre-form net 150 that is shaped to comprise a hub-forming portion 156 and a flange-forming portion 158, the continuous fibre pre-form net comprising continuous fibre reinforcement 110 and a common support layer 151 to which the continuous fibre reinforcement 110 is secured by being stitched thereto; placing the continuous fibre pre-form net 150 into a mould, the mould being shaped such that the hub-forming portion 156 forms a tubular hub portion which extends along a central axis and the flange-forming portion 158 forms a flange portion which extends from the hub portion at an angle to the central axis; and introducing polymer into the mould so as to form a composite connector comprising the flange portion and the hub portion.

A helical winding unit includes a plurality of guides arrayed in a peripheral direction of a liner, and adapted to guide each of a plurality of fiber bundles supplied to the helical winding unit to the liner, and an opening member arranged downstream of the plurality of guides in a travelling direction of the fiber bundle, and including an inner peripheral surface for forming a hole, through which the plurality of fiber bundles are inserted from one side to the other side in the axial direction. A plurality of opening surfaces on which the plurality of fiber bundles travel while making contact are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening member, and a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction of each opening surface is linear.

A filament winding apparatus includes a working area in which an operator performs an operation to at least one bobbin and/or liner on a conveyance path, an operation area in which a winder is driven, a buffer area between the working area and the operation area in a conveyance direction on the conveyance path, and an outside area that is neither the working area, the operation area, nor the buffer area being provided; and first fixed fences provided at borders between (i) the operation area and the buffer area and (ii) the working area and at the borders between (I) the operation area and the buffer area and (II) the outside area; and a first door provided at a border between the working area and the buffer area, and wherein the buffer area includes an accumulator portion capable of accumulating the at least one bobbin and the liner.