How carbon arrows shafts are made ?

 

                                                   How carbon arrows shafts are made ?

 

                            Carbon Arrow shafts making process ?

 

As recently Many new customers asked me about the process of arrow shafts ,so i decide to write it again (based on the article i wrote in archerytalk in 2016 year)

 

Are You curious at “how carbon arrow shaft are manufactured” ? Perhabs you get some information from the arrow company,like Carbon Express or Easton that they revealed a little information on internet like youtube .But until now,i not find any very actual/detailed process of how the carbon shaft are made from carbon fiber. So i updated this article again, i have been working in the arrow shaft manufacturing factory more than 12 years from 2013 year. And since 2017 year, i started my own factory"consistent arrows"

 

Nowdays , the carbon fiber market is monopolized by Japan,USA,KOERA,GERMANY, Far as i know,most of American and Chinese arrow use Mitsubishi,Toray,Or American brand fiber ,,and Chinese carbon fiber (Include Taiwan carbon fiber ) . To some extents, the arrow quality is most decided by the material —-” Pre-preg fiber” (which is not dry it is sticky) . We Use Mitsubishi carbon fiber and Chinese domestic high quality fiber to different arrows.

 

Mitsubishi ,Toray carbon fiber shaft spine tolerance ,weight tolerance,straightness tolerance , and strength, durablity is better than some Chinese domestic fiber(especially in small diameter hunting arrows like .165"/.204" spine 200/250/300/350 shafts) ,but for .245” shafts, actually the chinese fiber arrows are almost same as Toray and Mitsubishi fiber arrows,,,at least in archery industry ,Yes, but Toray and Mitsubishi , their price is higher, especially with the economy flation after covid-19 ,, As i dnot have the chance use the USA or Koera fiber , So i dnot have a judgement.

 

To cut it shorter,,,Here are the major steps of manufacturing a carbon shaft :

 

1, Choosing the corresponding fiber material (we call it pre-preg fiber, they come to our factory as a roll, usually one roll is 100/150 ㎡) according to the goal arrow specfication(Like diameter of shaft, spine,weight,strength),Precisely Cutting the fiber to the small carbon fiber sheets or call “main flag” .Now we use the Auto cutting machine to get precise size small sheet.(it can improve the shafts straightness )

 

 

 

2,The technician worker will roll wrap/lay the small sheets in 0/ 90 degree on the mandrel (surely some other degree construction,like 45/90 degree,for special shafts) .

(The fiber sheets need be winded on the mandrels rolling machine and pressure machine. )

(the shafts diameter like .165”/,204”/,245”.etc is decided by the different mandrels diameter, and if you need long shafts like 36”/39”,then must use longer mandrel like 42” length,and mandrels must be very very straightnes like .0005”,otherwise the shafts straightness will not be good )

 

3, Once the rolling /wrap is completed , the mandrel (with fiber sticky sheet rolled) will be put into a machine that wraps a clear cellophane tape over the entire rolled mandrel with fiber wrapped. The cellophane tape is very heat resistant, and it also needs to be put on using just the right amount of pressure.

 

 

 

4,In the next step the mandrel will be put into an oven, usually 120℃ ,where the mandrel itself expands slightly. The cellophane wrap contracts or shrinks as needed and helps compact the carbon fiber into very solid and dry(the resin will be dried ).

 

 

 

5,After thermal treatment, We need separate cellophane tape from the mandrel carbon fiber,and clean the surface. With the high temperature, the sticky fiber tubes become solid and dry and much much more stronger and straight.

 

 

6,Then we get raw shaft now, then start grinding the carbon shaft by the centreless grinding machine to get smooth and clean shafts. Surely you need seasoned worker to adjust the machine and operate as small diameter difference affect the spine and weight. ….

 

 

7,After all the above steps,,The shafts almost finished,,,Now we need measure the spine,straightness,weight tolerance.And cut to the shafts length ,usually we use 35” shafts to be 32” length as stock shafts length.

 

 

8,Print the logo on the shaft,,Using silk screen print, Heat transfer. And if you need shafts surface treatment like matte finished or glossy finished, then after the logo printed, we can do them.

9，once we make one new series shafts, we will test the shafts strength ourself to check if they are stronger enough for bow shooting.

 

 

10, Then assemble the insert,nocks and fletch the vanes or feathers…After all finished,,The QC will check shafts again,and pack and send out to customers.

 

 

 

 

Surely there are many small process/steps in manufacturing i not list. Above all based on my own experience and knowledge,If you learn some different methods to make carbon arrow shaft,Please share with me. Thanks

 

Michael

Email:michael@consistentarrows.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carbonarrows

Whatsapp: +86-18700949476