Our previously proposed path simulation method of carrier on a multi-braider was used to determine the initial arrangement of carriers to make a braid with a branch-merge structure and fabricate a prototype braid. However, the prototype had a small braiding angle, and the structure of the branch-merge switching part was not well-formed. To address this, we investigated the relationship between the yarn feed amount from the carrier moving on the multi-braider and the carrier's yarn length compensating mechanism. We proposed an improved compensating mechanism to prepare a braid with a larger braiding angle. The resulting braid was found to have a well-formed branch-merge structure.

Filaments used in textile products have many design parameters such as length, diameter, tip shape, material properties, etc. In order to design and develop the products efficiently that satisfy the desired functions, it is important to estimate the mechanical properties of filaments with various design parameters and to quantify the effects of design parameters on the mechanical behavior. In this study, we focused on as one of the design parameters of textile products, and evaluated the effects of this parameter on the mechanical properties of filaments under the sliding behavior based on the numerical and experimental approach. The results had shown that the difference in the tip shape of filaments affects the load value applied to the contacting body. It was also shown that the difference in the tip shape affected the deformation behavior. The difference of the tip shape was caused by the strain energy density of filaments during sliding movement. We believed that the results obtained in this study would be useful for the design and development of textile products efficiently.