Development of spatially branched woven node structures on the conventional weaving loom

Abstract

The increasing need of consistent implementation of lightweight constructions in many technical fields makes the manufacture of near net-shaped node structure to be used in textile-reinforced composites a subject of great interest. The manufacture of the node structure is required to provide a strong node point whilst maintaining the circumference of each adjoining strut. Despite a variety of available methods to produce three-dimensional nodal fabric, the required geometry for the complex nodular connection element has not yet been fully achieved. Furthermore, the available methods have limitations. The developed woven concept in this work allows for maintaining the configuration of the node structure and dimensions of the tubes, especially at the node points. As a result, all tubes positioned at node points are fully open; this is accomplished without distorting the surrounding area once the flat woven node structure is removed from the loom and erected into three-dimensional configuration. In order to produce a three-dimensional structure on a conventional weaving machine, the structure must be flattened in an appropriate way. By using a mathematical algorithm, it is possible to graph the flattened structure precisely. The developed weaving concept and relating calculation are applied to create the weaving plan of the spatial nodal structures, which can be produced on a shuttle weaving loom. The developed concept in this paper will provide repeatable manufacturing of complex node structures by using the conventional weaving loom. The struts of node structures manufactured using this method can be woven at any angle and with spatial arrangements.

Keywords

spatial node structure shuttle weaving loom Jacquard technique frame structure

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Ambrose J. Design of building trusses. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1994.

A/S Akers Mek. Verksted. Joint for trusses. Patent US4343562 A, USA, 1982.

Hardigg JS. Truss panel. Patent US4757665 A, USA, 1988.

Slysh P. Structural strut and node for large space structures. Patent US4308699 A, USA, 1982.

Flegel HA. Fest gefügt, gut gefahren - was das Auto der Zukunft verbindet. Well joined, well driven - how cars will be joined in the future, Bd. 668. In: fügetechnik im automobilbau (DVM-Tag), DVM-Bericht, S., München: Hanser, 2001, pp.9–20.

Stig F. 3D-woven reinforcement in composites. PhD Thesis, KTH Stockholm, Sweden, 2012.

Islam A. 3D woven structures and an overview of manufacturing technologies. In: 4th world conference on 3D fabrics and their applications, Aachen, Germany, 10–11 September 2012.

Chen X, Taylor L and Tsai L. An overview on fabrication of three-dimensional woven textile preforms for composites. Text Res J. 2011; 81: 932–944.

Fazeli M. Technological development and weave design of 3D narrow weaves on a shuttle loom. Master’s Thesis, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2010.

10.

Bhattacharay

Koranne

. Novel method of weaving three dimensional shapes. Int J Clothing Sci Technol 2012; 24: 56–63.

11.

Bryn L and Bally Ribbon Mills. Personnel correspondence, HYBRIDMAT 4: advances in the manufacture of 3-D preform reinforcement for advanced structural composites in aerospace, the findings from a UK technology mission to North America, coordinating body – National Composites Network, supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, https://depts.washington.edu/amtas/publications/reports/NCN_HYBRIDMAT-3.pdf (April 2006, accessed 18 July 2016).

12.

Mohamed M. High speed three-dimensional weaving method and machine. Patent US6315007B1, USA, 2001.

13.

Fazeli M, Kern M, Hoffmann G, et al. Development of three-dimensional profiled woven fabrics on narrow fabric loom. Text Res J. 2016; 86: 1328–1340.

14.

-D woven reinforcements update. Composites World, http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/3-d-woven-reinforcements-update (accessed 15 July 2016).

15.

Fazeli M, Hübner M, Lehmenn T, et al. Development of seamless woven node element structures for application in integral constructions. Text Res J. 2016; 86: 1220–1227.

16.

Taylor L W. Design and Manufacture of 3D nodal structures for advanced textile composites. Dissertation, University of Manchester, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Manchester, 2007.

17.

Taylor LW and Chen X. 3D woven nodal hollow truss structures – the conventional approach to weaving three dimensional nodal structures. In: Proceedings of the techtextil symposium, Messe Frankfurt, 13 June 2005.

18.

Zheng T, Li S, Jing S, et al. Designing of 3D woven integrated T-joint tube. Text Res J. 2013; 83: 1143–1155.

19.

Lowe FJ. Articles comprising shaped woven fabrics. Patent US4668545A, USA, 1987.

20.

Abdessalem

Mokhtar

Durand

et al.

A new concept of three dimensional weaving of bifurcated vascular prostheses. Indian J Fibre Text Res 2006; 31: 573–576.

21.

Nunez JF and Schmitt JP. Shaped woven tubular soft-tissue prostheses and method of manufacturing the same. Patent US6840958 B2, USA, 2005.

22.

Rawal

. Metal-matrix composites for space application. Journal Mater 2001; 53: 14–17.