抄録
A traditional textile technique, braiding, attracts a great deal of attention in the field of fiber-reinforced composites. To supply near-net-shape preforms for various designed composites, the flexibility of carriers' action in braiding machines must be improved. Since the publication of our previous study, we have improved our self-propelling carrier system. In this study, the carrier comprises a line-tracing robot, a wireless communication module controlled by a microcomputer, and batteries. Four prototype carriers are controlled for synchronization by the network coordinator via wireless communication. The improved system works well when testing its consecutive braiding action. Using the proposed system, we produced cord braids (using actual yarn) of adequate length in most trials. We therefore conclude that the concept of a self-propelling carrier is well demonstrated.
