A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

Provided are a reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl and its manufacturing method which comprises a process (s1)) in which a HDPE and a UV reinforcing agent are mixed and liquefied and processed into a film; a thread manufacture process (s2); an elongation-cooling process (s3); a weaving process (s4); an original tissue recovery process; a LDPE-UV mixing liquid coating process; and a cutting or linking process (s7). The reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl manufactured through the above described processes has an enhanced resistance with respect to durability and temperature and moisture, so the service life can be prolonged.

Provided are a reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl and its manufacturing method which comprises a process (s1)) in which a HDPE and a UV reinforcing agent are mixed and liquefied and processed into a film; a thread manufacture process (s2); an elongation-cooling process (s3); a weaving process (s4); an original tissue recovery process; a LDPE-UV mixing liquid coating process; and a cutting or linking process (s7). The reinforced fabric for substitution of vinyl manufactured through the above described processes has an enhanced resistance with respect to durability and temperature and moisture, so the service life can be prolonged.

A circular weaving machine has warp-tape guide elements arranged around a circular reed to supply a multiplicity of warp tapes. Weaving-shed forming devices group the fed warp tapes into two warp-tape groups and impart thereon mutually opposed alternating movements, with the result that a weaving shed is opened and closed between the two warp-tape groups. A weaving shuttle moves on an orbit in the opened weaving shed and, in the process, introduces a weft tape from a weft-tape bobbin carried thereby into the weaving shed, with the result that a fabric is formed. The fabric is drawn off through a weaving ring. The weaving shuttle keeps the bobbin axis of the weft-tape bobbin at an angular position which deviates by at most +/15, preferably at most +/10, from a normal to a surface which contains the geometric connecting lines between the warp-tape guide elements and the weaving ring.

A circular weaving machine has warp-tape guide elements arranged around a circular reed to supply a multiplicity of warp tapes. Weaving-shed forming devices group the fed warp tapes into two warp-tape groups and impart thereon mutually opposed alternating movements, with the result that a weaving shed is opened and closed between the two warp-tape groups. A weaving shuttle moves on an orbit in the opened weaving shed and, in the process, introduces a weft tape from a weft-tape bobbin carried thereby into the weaving shed, with the result that a fabric is formed. The fabric is drawn off through a weaving ring. The weaving shuttle keeps the bobbin axis of the weft-tape bobbin at an angular position which deviates by at most +/15, preferably at most +/10, from a normal to a surface which contains the geometric connecting lines between the warp-tape guide elements and the weaving ring.

A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an optional electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip when more delicate textile strips are used to fabricate the net shape preform is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an optional electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip when more delicate textile strips are used to fabricate the net shape preform is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

A portable device for weaving an item from a pliable member. The device includes a support frame defining a weaving area and having upper and lower surfaces, and a holder positionable on the support frame, adjacent the weaving area, and accessible from at least the upper surface of the support frame for releasably holding the pliable member across the weaving area. The holder includes first and second releasable holding members. The first and second holding members are spaced apart by the weaving area for holding the pliable member across the weaving area. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a pack of pliable material for weaving an item including at least two pliable members interconnected by a web.

A circular loom for continuously weaving fabric with a varying diameter includes a variable diameter weaving ring, independently actuated heddles, and at least one shuttle including a weft insertion arm attached to a linear rail system configured to adjust the position of weft insertion arm based on a diameter of weaving ring. An associated method includes varying the diameter of weaving ring, independently actuating heddles and adjusting the position of weft insertion arm along linear rail system to continuously produce hollow textile products having variable diameters.

A circular loom for continuously weaving fabric with a varying diameter includes a variable diameter weaving ring, independently actuated heddles, and at least one shuttle including a weft insertion arm attached to a linear rail system configured to adjust the position of weft insertion arm based on a diameter of weaving ring. An associated method includes varying the diameter of weaving ring, independently actuating heddles and adjusting the position of weft insertion arm along linear rail system to continuously produce hollow textile products having variable diameters.