A FABRIC AND A PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE FABRIC

摘要

A method and apparatus (10) are provided for making a fabric (100) from one or more reinforcing fibers. The apparatus (10) comprises a non-planar form about which the one or more reinforcing fibers are wrapped. The apparatus (10) further includes conveying apparatus (40), fiber dispensing apparatus (50), drive apparatus (60), and separating apparatus (70). The conveying apparatus (40) includes at least one conveyor element traveling along the form (30) and also about which the fibers are wrapped for moving the wrapped fibers along the form (30). The drive apparatus (60) is coupled to the conveying apparatus (40) for effecting movement of the at least one conveyor element. The fiber dispensing apparatus (50) supports one or more fiber sources (204) such that the one or more fiber sources (204) are movable with the dispensing apparatus (50) around the form (30) thereby allowing the fibers from the one or more fiber sources (204) to be wrapped about the form (30) and the at least one conveyor element as the dispensing apparatus (50) moves around the form (30). The separating apparatus (70) is positioned at a separating station (70) for separating the fabric (100) from the one or more conveyor elements. A fabric (100) formed by the method and apparatus (10) is also disclosed.