Rotary braiding machine

摘要

In a rotary braiding machine, a sleeve having a rounded forward portion is mounted on a stationary guide cylinder located on the center axis of the machine. The sleeve is driven reciprocatingly in the axial direction by a push rod which is coupled throgh a gear reduction mechanism to the ring gear of the machine so that the reciprocation of the sleeve is in timed relation with the rotation of the machine. The yarn or wire strand is supplied from two sets of bobbins which are driven along circular paths in opposing directions. When the reciprocating sleeve is in its retracted or rearward position, crossed strands from the bobbins approach the forward edge of the stationary guide cylinder. As the crossed strands reach the stationary guide cylinder, the reciprocating sleeve moves to its forward position lifting the strands away from the forward edge of the stationary guide cylinder. The rate of reciprocation of the sleeve is preferably in time with the crossings. However, it may be necessary to reciprocate the sleeve at two or three times the rate at which the strands cross each other so that the strands are lifted from the forward edge of the guide cylinder once or twice between strand crossings. This effects a "walking-beam" action of the strands on the edge of a guide cylinder which assists the strands to travel at a constant rate in a circular path about the center axis of the machine as they cross each other uninhibited.