Abstract: A continuum robot includes a curvable first curvable portion, a curvable second curvable portion provided adjacent to the first curvable portion, a first wire connected to the first curvable portion, a second wire connected to the second curvable portion, and a control unit which controls curves of the first curvable portion and the second curvable portion by controlling driving of the first wire and the second wire. The control unit controls driving of the first wire and the second wire on the basis of a kinematic model in consideration of a curve of the second curvable portion accompanying driving the first wire and a curve of the first curvable portion accompanying driving of the second wire. Alternatively, the control unit controls driving of the first wire and the second wire so that a curve target value of the first curvable portion is achieved by the sum of curved amounts of the first curvable portion and the second curvable portion.

Abstract: An instrument driver comprises opposing rotatable gripping pads. Each of the gripping pads includes an outer circular rim and a center hub. The pads are configured for applying a gripping force to an elongated member. The instrument driver further comprises shafts affixed to the center hubs, and a driver assembly configured for rotating at least one of the shafts, thereby causing the pads to rotate in opposite directions to linearly translate the gripped member. Each of the pads further includes a framework for partially collapsing in response to the gripping force, such that portions of the rims flatten to contact each other. Each rim has a concave gripping surface in order to facilitate vertical centering of the member between the pads. Each of the pads further includes a pair of upper and lower sprockets for interlacing with each other to prevent the elongated member from slipping out between the pads.

Abstract: An exhaust connection coupler and a method for manufacturing a braid cover incorporated therein are provided. The method of manufacturing comprises the steps of providing a tubular sleeve formed of braided wire filaments and forming at least one end of the sleeve into shape using a forming die such that the at least one end of the cover includes a circumferential neck portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of a body portion of the cover. In the method, the sleeve may be pressed between male and female forming dies in order to create the cover's desired shape, which can include a shoulder extending radially outwardly from the cover's neck portion and meeting the cover's body portion at a corner.

Abstract: Provide is a braided wire manufacturing method and a braided wire manufacturing apparatus which can produce a braided wire accurately braided without distortion. In a braided wire manufacturing apparatus, a plurality of conductive wires fed from a wire feeding mechanism are braided into a braided wire from a convergence position after passing through a mesh hole die, and the braided wire after passing along a guide roller is wound up using a capstan unit. The guide roller has a guide width for horizontal direction restriction so that movement of the braided wire in the horizontal direction falls within a predetermined restriction width from an ideal center position. The guide roller is provided at a height of a braid pitch of the braided wire in the perpendicular direction from the convergence position as a second feature.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine includes a circular array of filament guiding members defining a plane; a mandrel defining an axis and adapted to carry one or more filaments extending from the mandrel to the circular array; a plurality of filaments extending from the mandrel in a radial array; a plurality of actuator mechanisms disposed operably about the disc; and a rotating mechanism adapted to rotate one or more filaments. The actuator mechanisms and rotating mechanism are configured to move each of the one or more filaments about the mandrel axis in a path comprising a series of arcs and radial movements. The braiding machine may alternately first and second annular members, a mandrel, first and second plurality of tubular wire guides, and a plurality of wires extending from the mandrel.

Abstract: A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: A braider for braiding wires to a tube comprising an iris assembly having stacked iris plates. Each of the iris plates includes a center aperture, a wire orifice disposed radially outward from the center aperture, and an arcuate channel. The iris plates are rotatable relative to each other to adjust a circumferential orientation of the wire orifices relative to each other. The arcuate channel(s) of each respective iris plate is coincident with the wire orifice(s) of the remaining iris(es). The braider comprises a feeder assembly configured for advancing the tube through the center apertures, and advancing the wires through the respective wire orifices. The braider further comprises a braiding assembly configured for braiding a plurality of filaments around the tube and the plurality of wires as they are fed through the iris assembly, thereby creating a braided tube assembly.

Abstract: A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine comprises a disc with a mandrel extending from the center in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of catch mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the edge of the disc. A plurality of filaments are temporarily affixed to the mandrel, each filament extending from the mandrel toward the edge of the disc and engaging the edge of the disc at a discrete point of engagement. The plurality of catch mechanisms are attached to actuators adapted to move the catch mechanisms in a generally radial direction relative to the edge of the disc to allow the catch mechanism to engage a subset of the filaments and move the engaged filaments beyond the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a tubular braid comprising a plurality of filaments. The braiding machine comprises a disc with a mandrel extending from the center in a perpendicular direction and a plurality of catch mechanisms arranged circumferentially around the edge of the disc. A plurality of filaments are temporarily affixed to the mandrel, each filament extending from the mandrel toward the edge of the disc and engaging the edge of the disc at a discrete point of engagement The plurality of catch mechanisms are attached to actuators adapted to move the catch mechanisms in a generally radial direction relative to the edge of the disc to allow the catch mechanism to engage a subset of the filaments and move the engaged filaments beyond the circumferential edge of the disc.

Abstract: A braiding apparatus and method of forming braided product. The braiding apparatus may have one or more former rings having an adjustable inner diameters. The former rings may have a plurality of elements at least radially movable so that the inner diameter may be adjusted. The former ring may also include means to actuate the elements to adjust the inner diameter. The braided product made by the braiding apparatus may be multi-layered without a winding between layers.

Abstract: A machine, for the construction of a braid (11), that includes a set of identical multiindented wheels (2), which are mounted on a fixed support (1) and driven in rotation to cause the circulation of spindles (6) carrying spools (7) of braiding threads (8). The multiindented wheels are disposed in parallel and equidistant lines (L—L). In the set of multiindented wheels: the multindented wheels (2) belonging to a line are spaced from one another, so that two consecutive multiindented wheels belonging to one and the same line cannot cooperate directly with one another; and a multiindented wheel (2) belonging to one line is disposed between two multiindented wheels belonging to an adjacent line and cooperates with the two multiindented wheels, In the spaces between the consecutive multiindented wheels of a line, there are provided passages (3) for the longitudinal elongate elements (9) of the braided tubular structure.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer composition which, when used for the inner tube and/or outer cover of a hose, can improve the hose flexibility at an ordinary temperature and low temperature, oil resistance, and cold resistance and can reduce the production costs since it does not require a vulcanization step and a hose having said properties using this elastomer composition for its inner tube and/or outer cover and a process and apparatus for the production thereof.

Abstract: To prevent a long molding from bending during drying and hardening in a drying furnace after braiding. A pair of rotatable joints 2 and 3 are used as a stretching jig for a long braiding mandrel, the joints are connected to the respective ends of the mandrel, and a loading means 16 is used to stretch the mandrel via the joints to apply tension to it.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of curved braids comprises a braiding machine provided with pull-out and take-up apparatuses. The pull-out apparatus includes a forming ring and a pair of driven frustoconical pull rolls having an adjustable nip. The members to be braided are formed into a curved flattened tube as they are drawn through the forming ring by and through the nip of the pull rolls. The curved braid as it exits the nip of the pull rolls is guided onto a take-up bobbin. A conventional tubular braiding machine may be used. Such curved braids are suitable for use in the manufacture of fibrous preforms for the manufacture of friction discs.

Abstract: A braided in-situ consolidated structure of fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin strands is formed by braiding the strands on a mandrel and then advancing the mandrel and the braided structure as it is formed continuously through a heating zone to heat the resin to a flowable condition then cooling the structure as it leaves the zone. Pressure may be applied or developed against the braided structure during its formation.

Abstract: A braiding nose for use in forming a braided cover for hydraulic hose includes a right frustum portion connected between a larger diameter cylindrical portion and a smaller diameter tip portion. A central aperture is formed in the braiding nose for the passage of a flexible tube and means are provided for attaching the braiding nose to a braiding machine. Strands of wire are directed over the outer surface of the right frustum portion and the tip portion, which portions function to absorb the braiding forces which would otherwise tend to deform or collapse the flexible tube as the strands are braided together.