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 The
braiding process
is one of the
most practical
and effective
manufacturing
methods available
to the composite
industry today. To
place the economy
of braiding
in perspective,
it is estimated
that 40% of
conventional
filament winding
would be more
cost effective
by braiding.
The
design and fabrication
of braided structures
is the main focus
of efforts at Fiber
Innovations. A
unique feature
of the braiding
process is its
ability to combine
continuous fibers
in an oriented
pattern over a
mandrel of nearly
any shape or size. The
braiding process
creates an interlaced
structure of continuous
fibers, providing
stability to the
preform and desirable
strength to weight
properties in
the final part.
Fabrication
of tubular and
three dimensional
shapes is inherently
efficient via
braiding. Each
pass through the
braiding machine
produces a layer
of fiber reinforcement,
which conforms
to the shape of
the mandrel. Formation
of the braid
under tension
produces compaction
of plies and eliminates
the potential
for wrinkling
and pinching
during insertion
of the preform
into the resin
transfer mold
(RTM).
Preform
braiding has proven
to be a viable
manufacturing
process providing
consistent quality
and reproducibility
for advanced composite
structures.
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