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3D Weaving

and3D Woven Structures

Dr Xiaogang Chen

School of MaterialsThe University of Manchester

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Applications?

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Applications

The main current applications of 3Dwoven fabrics are in composites madefrom textile preforms and in protectiveclothing.

Enterprising companies will findinnovations for other markets.

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Weaving Technology

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Beat-upShedding

Take-up

Let-off

WeftInsertion

The 5 Loom Motions

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Loom Motions and FunctionsMotion Function

Shedding Separate the warp sheet into upper and lower layers, known as a shed, in time for anew pick to be inserted into it to form fabric. The shed formation decides the fabricstructure .

Weft

insertion

Introduce a full length of new pick of the right choice into the shed. There are

different methods for weft insertion.

Beat-up Push the newly inserted pick into the fell (the meeting point of the fabric and thewarp sheet) to form fabric. The movement of the reed carries this out .

Take-up Draw away from fell the fabric formed at such a rate that the fabric will have thepredetermined weft density. This is also to give space for the following pick to bewoven into the fabric .

Let-off Supply the correct amount of warp length from the weaver’s beam into the weavingregion. A constant warp tension level must be kept in order for the weaving processto continue .

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What is 3D Weaving• Definition 1

– Making of fabrics with substantial thickness bylayering

• Definition 2 – Shedding and weft insertion horizontally and

vertically• Our view

Both are true, but different types

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How 3D Fabrics Are Made

• Purpose-made 3D looms – Multi-layer warp ends, shedding inhorizontal direction

– Multi-layer warp ends, shedding in bothhorizontal and vertical directions

• Conventional looms – Solid, Hollow 3D – Flexible and economical

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3D Potentials of Looms• Shedding is very powerful

– Dobby: controls tens of different warp endsthrough the use of heald frames

– Jacquard: controls thousands of warp ends

individually• No limit on weft repeat• Freedom in warp supply

– Multi-beam – Creel

• Allows reasonable thickness of fabrics

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Dobby

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Jacquard

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WarpSupply

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Types of 3D Structures

• 3D Solid – Multilayer – Orthogonal

– Angle interlock• 3D Hollow

– Flat Surface – Uneven surface

• 3D Shell – By weave combination – By differential take-up

– By moulding• 3D Nodal

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Solid

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Hollow

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Shell

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Nodal

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TexEng Software Ltd enables you to

design 3D woven fabrics and programtheir weaving machines for their

production.For more details, please send email to:

info@texeng.co.uk