Analysis of a process approach for production of triaxial braids with locally customized filler yarn count

In order to enhance lightweight potential and fabrication efficiency of structural parts from carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, the approach of locally tailored component properties has proven effective. For braided hollow profiles, however, technical possibilities to achieve process integrated adaption of a components’ mechanical properties are limited. Therefore, a novel braiding process approach for cycle-time-neutral adjustment of a triaxial braids filler yarn count is examined and its advantages for component design are illustrated. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the approaches applicability with regard to process stability and disturbance of product quality. Two consecutive test series are carried out to identify the most influential process variables and to link the variation of these variables with multiple criteria of process quality. A clear dependency between quality and braid angle, braid yarn tension as well as the number of filler yarns the approach is applied on is derived. On that basis a set of process variables for faultless application of the concept is pointed out.