Calculations of Braiding Parameters

Abstract

Abstract : The New England Butt 144 carrier braiding machine is designed to braid (knit) fibrous material into cylindrical, but not necessarily symmetric, shapes over a mandrel form. The braiding machine is capable of applying 144 continuous strands of material simultaneously onto a mandrel as well as 72 longitudinal strands to give lateral strength to the component. As the 144 strands of fiber are being applied to the mandrel, each fiber is coated with a specific amount of resin from a resin applicator. The resin applicator is an added piece of hardware to the braiding machine and was fabricated by U.S. Composites Corporation. Coating of the fibers with wet resin occurs just prior to the fibers being applied to the mandrel. During the braiding operation, the braiding machine remains stationary while a mandrel form is traversed horizontally in and out of the center of the braider's braid ring to apply layers of composite material to the mandrel's surface. This report addresses some of the braiding parameters such as braider speed, mandrel traverse rate, fiber flow rates, and resin flow rates onto a mandrel during the braiding process.