Provided is a configuration capable of improving the signal strength of a piezoelectric element using piezoelectric fibers. This braided piezoelectric element comprises a core comprising conductive fibers and a sheath comprising braided piezoelectric fibers so as to cover the core, the braided piezoelectric element further comprising a metal terminal connected and fixed to the core in either of the following states A or B. A) A state where a portion of the metal terminal grasps a fiber portion constituting the end of a braided piezoelectric element and the core and the metal terminal are electrically connected to each other and fixed within 1 mm from where the metal terminal grasps the fiber portion. B) A state where: a portion of the metal terminal has a fork or needle shape; the fork-shaped or needle-shaped portion is electrically connected to the core while in contact with the sheath; and the braided piezoelectric element is secured to the metal terminal by another portion of the metal terminal or a component fixed to the metal terminal within 10 mm from the point of the electrical connection.

Provided is a configuration capable of improving the signal strength of a piezoelectric element using piezoelectric fibers. This braided piezoelectric element comprises a core comprising conductive fibers and a sheath comprising braided piezoelectric fibers so as to cover the core, the braided piezoelectric element further comprising a metal terminal connected and fixed to the core in either of the following states A or B. A) A state where a portion of the metal terminal grasps a fiber portion constituting the end of a braided piezoelectric element and the core and the metal terminal are electrically connected to each other and fixed within 1 mm from where the metal terminal grasps the fiber portion. B) A state where: a portion of the metal terminal has a fork or needle shape; the fork-shaped or needle-shaped portion is electrically connected to the core while in contact with the sheath; and the braided piezoelectric element is secured to the metal terminal by another portion of the metal terminal or a component fixed to the metal terminal within 10 mm from the point of the electrical connection.

A large-scale additive manufacturing system for printing a structure includes an extrusion system and a knitting system. The extrusion system includes a nozzle configured to receive a supply of structural material and to selectively dispense the structural material in flowable form, and a first gantry configured to move the nozzle along toolpaths defined according to a structure to be printed such that structural material may be dispensed along the toolpaths to print a series of structural layers, wherein the series of structural layers bond together to form all or a portion of the structure. The knitting system includes a tow feeder configured to feed a supply of tow material to a location proximate a current course of loops extending above an upper surface of a current structural layer or extending above a base surface in regions where no structural layer has been printed, and a hooking device configured to engage the tow material and bring it through the current course of loops to form a subsequent course of loops interwoven with the current course of loops. A controller is configured to operate the knitting system to form additional subsequent courses of loops each interwoven with a current course of loops after each of the series of structural layers are printed, wherein the interwoven courses of loops create a reinforcement network of knitted loops embedded in the structure, and wherein the series of structural layers are tied together.

The object of the invention is a composite product that may include a knitted reinforcing structure, which has at least two skins, connected by links; the link density being between 1 link per 40 square stitches and one link per 10,000 square stitches. The invention also relates to the method for producing composite product obtained that may include between 55 and 85% by volume of polymeric material and between 15 and 45% by volume of reinforcing fibers.

The object of the invention is a composite product that may include a knitted reinforcing structure, which has at least two skins, connected by links; the link density being between 1 link per 40 square stitches and one link per 10,000 square stitches. The invention also relates to the method for producing composite product obtained that may include between 55 and 85% by volume of polymeric material and between 15 and 45% by volume of reinforcing fibers.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a water-repellent knitted fabric and a water-repellent knitted fabric. The method includes: dyeing a yarn; obtaining a knitted fabric by knitting the dyed yarn which is dyed in the dyeing of the yarn; dipping the knitted fabric in a water-repellent liquid to allow the water-repellent liquid to penetrate into a structure of the dyed yarn and to be coated on a surface of the dyed yarn; dehydrating the knitted fabric after the dipping of the knitted fabric and then incompletely drying the knitted fabric while moisture remains in the dyed yarn; adhering the water-repellent liquid applied to the knitted fabric by applying heat to the knitted fabric after the dehydrating of the knitted fabric; washing the knitted fabric using water after the adhering of the water-repellent liquid; and drying the knitted fabric after the washing of the knitted fabric.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a water-repellent knitted fabric and a water-repellent knitted fabric. The method includes: dyeing a yarn; obtaining a knitted fabric by knitting the dyed yarn which is dyed in the dyeing of the yarn; dipping the knitted fabric in a water-repellent liquid to allow the water-repellent liquid to penetrate into a structure of the dyed yarn and to be coated on a surface of the dyed yarn; dehydrating the knitted fabric after the dipping of the knitted fabric and then incompletely drying the knitted fabric while moisture remains in the dyed yarn; adhering the water-repellent liquid applied to the knitted fabric by applying heat to the knitted fabric after the dehydrating of the knitted fabric; washing the knitted fabric using water after the adhering of the water-repellent liquid; and drying the knitted fabric after the washing of the knitted fabric.

Provided is an air bag base cloth constituted by a composite material obtained by coating fabric made of synthetic fibers with a synthetic resin. The average value of the 100% modulus in the warp direction of the fabric texture included in the composite material and the 100% modulus in the weft direction of the fabric texture included in the composite material is 50 N/cm or less. The 100% elongation recovery rate is 95% or more. The 100% elongation load air permeability is 0.1 L/cm.sup.2.Math.min or less both before and after thermal treatment at 100 C.

Provided is an air bag base cloth constituted by a composite material obtained by coating fabric made of synthetic fibers with a synthetic resin. The average value of the 100% modulus in the warp direction of the fabric texture included in the composite material and the 100% modulus in the weft direction of the fabric texture included in the composite material is 50 N/cm or less. The 100% elongation recovery rate is 95% or more. The 100% elongation load air permeability is 0.1 L/cm.sup.2.Math.min or less both before and after thermal treatment at 100 C.

The present disclosure provides an article. The article may include a knitted component with a first zone, the first zone being at least partially formed with a first yarn and a second yarn. The first yarn may be a monofilament yarn. The second yarn may have a tenacity of at least 5 grams per denier (g/D). The first yarn and the second yarn may be adjacent at least at one location within the first zone.