A transport of carbon fiber bundles, in as fabricated carbon fiber tow form, with in-line manipulation of the fiber bundles (spreading or spreading and volumization with manipulators) during fiber bundle transport is described herein. A method including positively transporting and placing a fiber bundle via a moveable fiber bundle delivery mechanism interposed between a fiber bundle supply and a fiber bundle delivery location, manipulating at least one of a fiber volume and an areal weight of the fiber bundle via an air jet device coupled between the fiber bundle delivery location and the fiber bundle supply, and controlling delivery of the fiber bundle tension from the fiber supply through an electronic unwinder is also described.

A transport of carbon fiber bundles, in as fabricated carbon fiber tow form, with in-line manipulation of the fiber bundles (spreading or spreading and volumization with manipulators) during fiber bundle transport is described herein. A method including positively transporting and placing a fiber bundle via a moveable fiber bundle delivery mechanism interposed between a fiber bundle supply and a fiber bundle delivery location, manipulating at least one of a fiber volume and an areal weight of the fiber bundle via an air jet device coupled between the fiber bundle delivery location and the fiber bundle supply, and controlling delivery of the fiber bundle tension from the fiber supply through an electronic unwinder is also described.

A circular loom for weaving a weaving core along a weaving axis with at least one shuttle, which comprises a weft thread spool and is movable along a circular orbit path around the weaving core. The orbit path is formed of first track segments arranged one after the other along its circumference and at least one movably arranged or designed guide device is provided, which guides at least one warp thread provided from a warp thread spool on a warp spool device and on which at least a first track segment of the orbit path and at least a second track segment alternatively assignable to the orbit path are arranged and guided, where in the guided absence of the first and second track segment from the orbit path the guided warp thread, crossing the track plane, passes through the orbit path.

A circular loom for weaving a weaving core along a weaving axis with at least one shuttle, which comprises a weft thread spool and is movable along a circular orbit path around the weaving core. The orbit path is formed of first track segments arranged one after the other along its circumference and at least one movably arranged or designed guide device is provided, which guides at least one warp thread provided from a warp thread spool on a warp spool device and on which at least a first track segment of the orbit path and at least a second track segment alternatively assignable to the orbit path are arranged and guided, where in the guided absence of the first and second track segment from the orbit path the guided warp thread, crossing the track plane, passes through the orbit path.

A warp breakage/end sensing system and device are configured to detect an end of a warp yarn on a circular weaving machine. A mechanism causes a notification signal to be sent to the loom operator in the situation where a yarn breakage is detected. A drop wire loses its elevation and falls from its normal operative position. The drop causes a first element to rotate and come in contact (physical or non-physical) with a second element, thereby completing an electric circuit and sending a yarn breakage signal to the operator. Upon restoration of the yarn, the first element restores to its normal working position. In the case of a non-physical contact, the first sensing element enters the triggering region of the second sensing element thus causing a signal to be sent.

A warp breakage/end sensing system and device are configured to detect an end of a warp yarn on a circular weaving machine. A mechanism causes a notification signal to be sent to the loom operator in the situation where a yarn breakage is detected. A drop wire loses its elevation and falls from its normal operative position. The drop causes a first element to rotate and come in contact (physical or non-physical) with a second element, thereby completing an electric circuit and sending a yarn breakage signal to the operator. Upon restoration of the yarn, the first element restores to its normal working position. In the case of a non-physical contact, the first sensing element enters the triggering region of the second sensing element thus causing a signal to be sent.

A circular loom for weaving a weaving core with at least one shuttle, which has a weft thread spool and is movable along a circular orbit path around the weaving core. At least one guide device, designed to guide at least one warp thread provided from a warp thread spool on a warp spool device, is movably arranged or designed outside a track plane enclosed by the outer circumference of the circular orbit path, the guided warp thread, crossing the track plane, passing through a recess in the circular orbit path.

A circular loom for weaving a weaving core with at least one shuttle, which has a weft thread spool and is movable along a circular orbit path around the weaving core. At least one guide device, designed to guide at least one warp thread provided from a warp thread spool on a warp spool device, is movably arranged or designed outside a track plane enclosed by the outer circumference of the circular orbit path, the guided warp thread, crossing the track plane, passing through a recess in the circular orbit path.

The present invention relates to woven tubular nanotextiles, fabrication thereof using a weaving apparatus, and use thereof in vascular graft applications. The woven nanotextile conduit is 0.1 to 50 mm in diameter and includes a multitude of hierarchically arranged nanofibers. They are made from low strength bundled nanoyarns containing thousands of nanofibers with improved mechanical strength. The weaving apparatus interweaves the warp and weft yarns in longitudinal and transverse directions, resulting in a flexible and strong woven product. The physical and biological properties of the woven nanotextile were significantly enhanced when compared to non-woven nanofibrous form and conventional medical textiles. The nanotextile displayed superhydrophilic behavior in an otherwise hydrophobic material and when implanted as a vascular graft was robust, suturable, kink-proof and non-thrombogenic, with complete endothelialization of the graft luminal area.

The invention relates to a circular loom for weaving a weaving core with at least one shuttle, which has a weft thread spool and is movable along a circular orbit path around the weaving core. At least one guide device, designed to guide at least one warp thread provided from a warp thread spool on a warp spool device, is movably arranged or designed outside a track plane enclosed by the outer circumference of the circular orbit path, the guided warp thread, crossing the track plane, passing through a recess in the circular orbit path.