Filter length and filter angle

To generate an accurate geodesic path the mandrel must have a relatively large number of patches or elements. Fibre positions are calculated each time the path crosses the boundary of an element. The number of data points on the fibre path is much greater than the number of points required to accurately control the machine. Filter length and angle are used to remove (filter out) surplus data points. Subsequent data points on the fibre path are selected such that the distance between the points on the mandrel surface is not less than the filter length and the angle between the path direction vectors for successive data points is not greater than the filter angle. The default values are suitable for most purposes. The filter values cannot be zero and the filter length is not permitted to be greater than 20⁰.

Using very small filter values can lead to many very small motions on the winding machine. In many cases this leads to 'rough' operation of the machine and can lead to an increase in winding time.