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TANIQ reinforcement technology

Unique reinforcement solution for each shape

The requirements for making the best reinforced rubber product are designing the optimal shape, optimizing the reinforcement and choosing the best materials. Especially for more complex shapes it is hardly known how to optimize the shape and reinforcement structure. Therefore TANIQ has developed a new reinforcement technology which makes it possible to calculate the optimal shape and its unique corresponding fibre path for even the most complex shapes. Furthermore, the technology is not limited to specific materials which makes it possible to apply it with any type of rubber and fiber materials.

Optimal reinforced rubber product: Fibers for strength, rubber for sealing

Optimal fibre path for straight
hose has a constant angle
Fibre reinforced rubber products combine a rubber and a reinforcing material, so high strength to flexibility ratios can be achieved. The reinforcing material provides the strength and stiffness. The rubber, with low strength and stiffness, provides air-fluid tightness. By calculating the optimal product shape and by placing the fibres on their ideal paths, the fibres are purely loaded on tensile stress and use 100% of their strength. Under these conditions the fibre structure takes up all the forces. Hence the rubber does not have to take up sheer stresses and is solely used for sealing. This way, both materials are used most efficiently. Furthermore, it also means that the reinforcement structure is in equilibrium and therefore the product will not expand, shorten or lengthen under pressure. Knowing the force equilibrium of the reinforcement structure, it is also possible to deliberately adjust the product shape and fibre angles to obtain predictable and controlled shape expansion.

• Fibers use 100% of their strength to take up all forces
• No shear stresses on the rubber, rubber solely used for sealing
• Equilibrium of reinforcement structure, no shape expansion
• Deliberately changing equilibrium, predictable and controlled shape expansion

Challenges for reinforcement of complex shapes

Optimal fibre path for complex
shape has varying angles
It is common knowledge that the most efficient way to reinforce a straight cylinder, like a rubber hose, is to use the optimal reinforcement angle of approximately 54.7°. However for a more complex shape like a bellow, the optimal reinforcement angle is not constant and continuously changes with the changing diameter along the length of the product,. This means that a complex shape does not have one optimal reinforcement angle, but continuously changing angles which form an optimal fibre path.

• Optimal reinforced straight cylinder: reinforcement angle is 54.7°
• Optimal reinforced complex shape: optimal shape + corresponding ideal fibre path
• Ideal fibre path for complex shape: reinforcement angles changes according to
  change in shape

Small deviation from optimal fibre
path leads to loss of strength
The theory behind the optimal fibre angle for cylindrical shapes is well known in the industry today. However, how to apply the same principals for the reinforcement of complex shapes is more difficult and hardly known. Furthermore, even if the principals were known, with most production processes it is not possible to place the fibre on the ideal path because of the continuously changing angles. With these processes the difficulty to influence the fibre orientation means that the fibre path deviates many angular degrees from the ideal path. Only 5° deviation from the ideal path already leads to 50 % loss of strength of your product. Another problem is that this leads to undesirable shape deformation when the product is pressurized.

• Optimal fibre path can not be reached by means of knitting or wrapping fabric plies
• 5° deviation from the ideal fibre path already leads to 50 % loss of strength
• Deviation from optimal shape or ideal fibre path leads to shape deformations when
  pressurized

TANIQ technology enables optimal reinforcement for complex shapes

Accurate automated fibre
placement
These are exactly the reasons why TANIQ has developed this new reinforcement technology which makes it possible to optimize the reinforcement of complex shaped rubber products. Special software has been developed to calculate the optimal geometry of the product in combination with the optimal path of each individual fibre of the reinforcement. A mathematical model of the design allows the manufacturer to predict the behaviour of the product using special simulation and FEA programs. To control the exact positioning of the fibres in the final product they are placed using an automated CNC production process. The automated production processes increases the efficiency and guarantees a constant quality.

• Design software to determine optimal shape and reinforcement structure
• Prediction and controlled expansion behaviour
• Constant quality with accurate CNC fibre placement

With TANIQ’s technology the materials are used most efficiently which leads to a reduction of material and labour costs and an increased product performance in terms of flexibility, pressure resistance, weight and control over geometry.

• Less material and labour cost
• Higher flexibility
• Higher pressure resistance