Weaving mechanisms for spiral woven fabrics

This paper introduces a weaving method for fabricating spiral woven fabrics that are capable of forming cylindrical preforms for advanced composites a pplications. The spinal woven fabrics were fabricated by modifying the basi c weaving processes including shedding, picking, beat-up, let-off,and take- up mechanisms. Furthermore, the geometrical analysis of the fabric is also discussed. Using conical rollers to form the spiral shape and allow the fib ers to be aligned in circumferential and radial directions. A creel was use d to perform the let-off motion in which each warp can be controlled separa tely using a set of tensioners. A press roller, set on the cloth between th e fell and take-up roller, was used to flatten out the slanted cloth and th en form a clear fell for picking. The picking motion of the FFHH cycle was employed to reduce the difference in weft density between the inner and out er sides of the spiral fabrics.