Abstract: A method of manufacturing a preform including a core and a sole includes contour weaving the preform on a lap roller having a groove or an outgrowth allowing shape weaving of the core and the sole of the preform. At least one portion of the core and at least one portion of the sole include weft yarns which cross each other on common warp yarns.

Abstract: A method of braiding reinforcing fibers on a mandrel (8) with a machine having a ring (9) carrying at least two series of reels of fibers, by moving the mandrel at a predetermined forward speed while moving the two series of reels along the ring (9) so that they cross while rotating in opposite directions and at a predetermined speed of rotation about an axis (AX) of the ring. The braid is formed on the mandrel (8) in the vicinity of a region of convergence (R) of the fibers that together define a conical shape (C). The method comprises: a step of reconfiguring the machine in which the angle (a2) at the apex of the cone (C) defined by the fibers takes on a new value (a2); and a step of restarting braiding in which the movement of the reels along the ring (9) and the forward movement of the mandrel (8) are re-established with a new speed of rotation and a new speed of advance.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making surgical braids, the apparatuses and methods having active and passive tracks. Additionally, various embodiments of surgical braids having changing patterns of traces, alternating colors, alternating cores, and tubular and flat sections, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A continuous braid structure has one or more first braid sections, each having a respective single flat braid or a respective single tubular braid. A plurality of second braid sections each have at least two flat braids with a gap between them. The second braid sections alternate with the one or more first braid sections. The adjacent first and second braid sections are continuous with each other. A length of material extends through the respective gap of at least one of the one or more second braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: A braider comprises a plurality of horngears. The horngears can be arranged for forming at least two closed paths for braiding. Each horngear has a driving gear and a hornplate. Each horngear can be selectably operated in a first mode, to rotate with the driving gear, and in a second mode, in which the driving gear rotates, but the hornplate does not. Bobbin carriers are positioned on some of the horngears. A track is configurable in: a first flat braiding mode with the carriers arranged on the horngears, so that there is one or more separate closed path for forming a first flat braid configuration; and a second flat braiding mode for forming a second flat braid configuration different from the first flat braid configuration,. A switch is provided for changing a configuration of the track between the first and second flat braiding modes.

Abstract: A braider has a track for guiding 4N bobbin carriers and 4N horngears, where N is an integer greater than one. The horngears each have four horns for forming at least two paths. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a tubular braiding mode with the track and horngears configured to provide two paths intersecting each other, to form a tubular braid section. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a flat braiding mode, with the track and horngears configured so that there are N separate closed paths that do not intersect each other, to form a flat braid section. The braider is switched between the tubular and flat braiding modes while N of the horngears are free of contact with the bobbin carriers, to form a continuous braid having at least one tubular braid section and at least one flat braid section.

Abstract: A braider has a track for guiding 4N bobbin carriers and 4N horngears, where N is an integer greater than one. The horngears each have four horns for forming at least two paths. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a tubular braiding mode with the track and horngears configured to provide two paths intersecting each other, to form a tubular braid section. The bobbin carriers are positioned on the horngears in a flat braiding mode, with the track and horngears configured so that there are N separate closed paths that do not intersect each other, to form a flat braid section. The braider is switched between the tubular and flat braiding modes while N of the horngears are free of contact with the bobbin carriers, to form a continuous braid having at least one tubular braid section and at least one flat braid section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a complex, three-dimensional structure (12), such as a truss, from composite fiber/resin includes pulling a plurality of continuous fibers (50) from a feed source (62) along a processing path (58) about a longitudinal axis (14). At least some of the fibers are wound around the longitudinal axis in opposite directions (70,72) by rotational elements to form helical and reverse helical components (30, 34) that intersect at nodes (26,28). Select nodes are engaged by engagement members (84) and are maintained radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis by a support frame (80) to create sequential discrete segments (22) in the helical and reverse helical components. The select nodes can be engaged and maintained from outside the helical and reverse helical components. Resin can be applied to the fibers by resin applicator (90) and cured.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a braided birfurcated stent involves the use of two or more braiding machines. In this process, a first discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a first leg, and a second discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a second leg. Either the same braiding machine may be used or two different braiding machines may be used. The process also involves braiding the first plurality of filaments and the second plurality of filaments together to form the body using yet another braiding machine. Either the legs or body may be braided first.

Abstract: A braiding apparatus for braiding the perforated braids with constant interval of perforations comprises a first braid section to braid one strand with a plurality of yarns, sequential braid section to braid with two strands and secondary sequential braid section to braid a final strand with the previous process of the strands. This braiding apparatus comprises a carrier guide plate (10) having a pair of core yarn holes (12), a plurality of coupling boles (13), two tracks of carrier contours (14), a base plate (40) having a plurality of carriers (20), feed gears (30), feed discs (31), feed gear shafts (32), actuators (42), carrier contour changers (50) including a main block (60), intermediate cross block (70) and inner split block (80) for performing repeated crossing and separating operations. So, the various braids with constant interval of perforations are possibly produced by differ the number of core yarns and carriers.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a braided birfurcated stent involves the use of two or more braiding machines. In this process, a first discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a first leg, and a second discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a second leg. Either the same braiding machine may be used or two different braiding machines may be used. The process also involves braiding the first plurality of filaments and the second plurality of filaments together to form the body using yet another braiding machine. Either the legs or body may be braided first.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braider comprising a guiding plate, of which a plurality of the paths are intersected with one another; and a corresponding conveying gear. With combination of the guiding plate and the conveying gear, it is possible to produce polygonal braids, such as rectangular braids or triangle braids, and to provide various colors on the braids as different braided yarns are braided on the corresponding surfaces respectively. Furthermore, with the rectangular braids or triangle braids, the banding force is enhanced as the frictione is increased when they are united. Therefore, the braids are not easy to loosen if they are used as banding braids for footwear or clothes.

Abstract: In a braiding machine having a braiding assembly which comprises a plurality of yarn carriers moving about a bed to interlace the yarns to form a braided fabric, a take-up including take-off rolls engaging and drawing off the just braided fabric, and a drive for driving the braiding assembly about the bed and the take-off rolls of the take-up. The drive comprises a drive train connecting the braiding assembly and the take-up with a power source. The drive train includes a first mechanical variator, having a control knob, interposed between the braiding assembly and the power source for driving the yarn carriers about the bed, and a second variator, having control knob, connected with the power source for driving the take-off rolls of the take-up. The variators are operative to adjust the rate of rotation of the yarn carriers about the bed and the rate of rotation of the take-off rolls of the take-up to achieve a desired product at maximum machine efficiency.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing a three dimensional structure employing the principle of braid composition to compose a three dimensional X confounding section (a 3X confounding structure, a 4X confounding structure, a 6X-3X confounding structure) and a manufacturing apparatus for a three dimensional structure which is applicable to the method. A method for manufacturing a three dimensional structure with a linear structure 1 pulled out individually from a plurality of bobbin carriers 2, comprising the steps of: supporting said plurality of bobbin carriers transferably and loadably; and moving the bobbin carrier so that linear structures from at least three directions are joined to converge at intervals in a composing direction and diverge in at least three directions.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced article comprises a tubular body and a plurality of fiber braids for reinforcing the tubular body. The fiber braids have a first section parallel to the axis of the tubular body, and a second section forming an angle with the axis of the tubular body. The second sections of the fiber braids form a network capable of enhancing the resistance of the article to flexure and torsion.

Abstract: A helical braider for constructing a triaxially braided tubular member in which the angle formed by primary fiber relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member can be controlled independently of the corresponding angles formed by the remaining fibers. The helical braider includes a winder that applies a primary fiber at a selected winding rate and a braider that applies two helical fibers at a selected spin rate. The winder can include a winder motor and a winding station rotatable around the mandrel, while the braider can include a braider motor and a braiding station independently rotatable around the mandrel.

Abstract: A machine for three-dimensional braiding of fibers is provided in which carrier members travel on a curved, segmented and movable braiding surface. The carrier members are capable of independent, self-propelled motion along the braiding surface. Carrier member position on the braiding surface is controlled and monitored by computer. Also disclosed is a yarn take-up device capable of maintaining tension in the braiding fiber.

Abstract: A braided structure forming device suitable for forming a braided structure of a complicated structure capable of serving as the core of FRP and FRTP, in which a speed of pulling up or down a braided structure is varied in process with time to vary the structural density thereof.

Abstract: A braiding apparatus and method for moving bobbin carriers along tracks connecting a plurality of braiding regions to braid cords or strands in a specific braiding region, in another braiding region or in all the braiding regions. The braid may be used as core structure for fiber-reinforced plastics.

Abstract: A braider having a braider bed. The bed has first and second closed tracks defining an intersecting serpentine path. The tracks define an average path which is non-circular. A plurality of yarn package carriers travel along said tracks. Yarns fed from the packages form a braid at a location substantially central of the bed.

Abstract: Braided line is manufactured by drawing off filaments (3) from a carousel of bobbins (1) which are caused to follow interweaving paths about a common axis. The line can be tapered by cutting selected filaments at intervals and continuing the braiding with a progressively reduced manner. Each cut off filament (14) leading from the braid point (8) is kept co-axially aligned by the air flow into a suction tube (6) within the carousel while the remaining filaments (3) are braided around it. The selection and cutting of the filaments can be automated, under computer control.