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The basics of TANIQ's reinforcement technology for reinforced rubber products

Unique reinforcement solution for each rubber product

Important requirements for optimizing reinforced rubber products are optimizing the reinforcement structure, choosing the best materials and automation of the production process to guarantee a constant quality. TANIQ has developed a new reinforcement technology which makes it possible to calculate the optimal product shape and its unique corresponding reinforcement structure for even the most complex shaped products. By using automated (robotic) production solutions it becomes possible to obtain high accuracy and a constant product quality.

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

Optimal fibre path for straight
hose has a constant angle
Fiber 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 fibers on their ideal paths, the fibers are purely loaded on tensile stress and use 100% of their strength. Under these conditions the fiber 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 fiber 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

Varying fiber angles in reinforcement structures of complex shaped products

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.

• Optimal reinforced straight cylinder: reinforcement angle is approx. 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 fiber 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. Furthermore, with manual production processes it is not possible to place the fibers on the ideal path because of the continuously changing angles. For each product shape there is only one fiber path on which the fiber is purely loaded on tensile stress and uses 100% of its strength. Only 5° deviation from the ideal path already leads to 50 % loss of strength of your product. Another problem is that deviation from the optimal path leads to (undesirable) shape deformation when the product is pressurized.

• Optimal fiber path requires an automated fiber placement technology
• 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 for reinforced rubber products

Accurate automated fibre
placement
TANIQ has developed a new reinforcement technology which makes it possible to optimize reinforced rubber products. Special engineering software has been developed to calculate the optimal geometry of the product in combination with the optimal path of each individual fiber of the reinforcement structure. A mathematical model of the design allows to predict the behavior of the product using special simulation and FEA programs. To control the exact positioning of the rubber and fibers in the final product they are placed using an automated (robotic) production process. The automated production processes provides the required accuracy and guarantees a constant quality. TANIQ’s know-how and technology is stalled in three products and services which provide assistance during the entire product development process.