THE COMPUTERIZED WEAVING OF PREFORMS FOR COMPOSITES .1. THE FLATTENING OF 3-DIMENSIONAL PREFORMS

This is the initial paper of a series which examines the computerised weaving on conventional looms of fabric structures which already have most of the geometrical properties of the desired fabric preform; the design can be easily transformed into an actual preform by use of a si mple opening up or unfolding procedure. A further aim of the work is t o transfer to a computer the complete process of generating the necess ary weaving instructions once the ultimate product geometry has been c hosen, In this way, the costly manual process of conversion is avoided . Part I describes the methodology of flattening and examines how it i s used to develop the software program needed to allow the flattened d esign to be woven on a conventional loom. A substantial range of usefu l preforms can be woven on the basis of the approach outlined in this first paper.