Universal Weaving for Turbine Engine Composite Preforms

摘要

3-D weaving/braiding technology being pursued at ITAC has the potential to resultin techniques for manufacturing low cost, high volume, near net shape, multiaxially reinforced (through the thickness) fibrous preforms, utilizing a cartesian weaving/braiding plane, for high temperature composite applications. These techniques lend themselves to the manufacture of hybrid preforms; fiber assemblies that contain more than one shape or fiber architecture. With this tool, designers may optimize the fiber structure and shape of a preform along the length of composite parts to maximize performance. A low cost hand loom has been designed an built to demonstrate concepts empirical to this technology, laying the ground work for a fully automated 3-D cartesian weaving machine.