Abstract: A system for constructing a composite structure includes a braiding machine, a winding tool and a forming machine. The composite structure is constructed of a wound tubular braiding. The wound tubular braiding is constructed of a biaxial or triaxial tubular braid of unidirectional tape.

Abstract: The strand guiding device is designed for a circular braiding machine having a braiding point (35) and a first spool (38) for a first strand (37) fed to said braiding point (35). The strand guiding device for strand guiding includes a guide part or guide device (42) for the first strand arranged between the first spool (38) and the braiding point (35), which is movable back and forth to cross the first strand (37) over at least one second strand (32) coming from a respective second spool (31) so that a length of a section of the first strand (37) between the first spool and the braiding point (35) continuously changes, and a device for compensating changes in the length of that section.

Abstract: The present speed control apparatus and method operates to progressively increase the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles of the braiding machine as the amount of strand material wound on the supply carriers is decreased and to thereby increase the efficiency of the braiding machine. The speed control includes an ultrasonic sensor supported adjacent the path of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles and being operable to detect the amount of strand material remaining on the strand supply carriers during each serpentine path of travel of the strand supply carriers past the sensor. Computers are provided for progressively increasing the speed of travel of the strand supply carrier shuttles in response to detected decreases in the amount of strand material on the strand supply carriers.