Numerical Modelling of 3D Braiding Machine with Variable Paths of the Carriers

This paper presents latest development of a modelling algorithms and simulation results, related to 3D braiding machines with individually driven switches and horn gears. The early developed 3D braiding machines and the current software from the braiding producer covers only rectangular sets of horn gears. Based on complete emulation of the braiding process with the carrier motion, a generalized method for the simulation of any configuration of horn gears with different sizes was developed and reported earlier by the author. In this work, an extension of the algorithms with individually controlled switches is presented. These switches allow production of profiles for textiles reinforced composites with complex cross section, changing during the production. The machine emulation can be coupled with FEM based braiding process simulation and the complete product can be virtually produced and analyzed.