# The Optimal Design of the Press Roller to Improve the Winding Molding Quality of Heat Insulation

## TL;DR

This paper presents an optimized design for a press roller to improve the quality of heat insulation winding in solid rocket motors.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the elliptical concave press roller design that enhances pressure uniformity and reduces edge defects.

## Key findings

- The elliptical concave press roller significantly improves pressure uniformity on the mandrel with the smallest radius.
- The elliptical design increases pressure at the tape edges, reducing the risk of lifted edges.
- The finite element model confirmed the improved performance of the elliptical press roller over the cylindrical design.

## Abstract

In the heat insulation winding molding process of solid rocket motors, the pressure applied by the press roller directly affects the quality of the winding molding. Insufficient pressure can result in poor bonding quality and may cause defects. This paper aims to provide an optimal design of the press roller to improve the winding molding quality of the heat insulation. The effect of the cylindrical press roller on the pressure distribution was analyzed using the elastic foundation model and a finite element (FE) model, which was assessed by Hertz theory. Subsequently, the press roller was optimized to an elliptical concave design. The effect of the radius of the elliptical concave press roller on the pressure distribution was analyzed. A comparison of the effect of the elliptical concave press roller and the cylindrical press roller on the pressure distribution was conducted using the FE model. The results show pressure uniformity is significantly improved when the elliptical concave press roller is employed on the mandrel with the smallest radius. Additionally, the elliptical concave press roller increases the pressure at the edge of the tape, which reduces the risk of lifted edges and, thereby, improves the winding molding quality of the heat insulation.