A two-dimensional fabric (20) used to produce a three-dimensional composite part has a binding system (21) with binding warp threads (23) and/or binding weft threads (24) and a reinforcing system (22) with reinforcing weft threads (25) and/or reinforcing warp threads (26). At least some of the inserted reinforcing threads (25) are shortened reinforcing weft threads (25a) and/or shortened reinforcing warp threads (26a). Their thread length (L) is less than that of the binding weft threads (24) or the binding warp threads (23). The shortened reinforcing thread's (25a), (26a) free ends are located in a respective thread end position (30) or (31). The respective thread length (L) and the respective thread end positions (30), (31) of a shortened reinforcing thread (25a), (26a) in the two-dimensional fabric (20) are predetermined based on the three-dimensional shape of the composite part to be produced to reduce cutting waste when producing preforms and cutting effort.

A weft threads saving device for shuttle-less weaving machines includes a comb (2), a temple (3), a guiding plane (6), a fixed blade (4), a movable blade (5) of a shear (17), a fabric winding cylinder (8) and a suction system (7) connected both to the guiding plane (6) and to the fixed blade (4) of the shear (17).

A weft threads saving device for shuttle-less weaving machines includes a comb (2), a temple (3), a guiding plane (6), a fixed blade (4), a movable blade (5) of a shear (17), a fabric winding cylinder (8) and a suction system (7) connected both to the guiding plane (6) and to the fixed blade (4) of the shear (17).

A device for cutting off weft yarn (27) during successive weaving cycles, comprising a cutting element (1) and a rotatable detaining element (2c), (13) which is forced to a detaining position by a spring force in order to detain the yarn and can rotate, under the influence of a tensile force exerted by a rapier on the detained yarn, counter to the spring force to a non-detaining position in which the yarn can be moved further towards the cutting element (1) in order to be cut. Such a device is efficient and can be made to be more reliable and more compact than existing devices. The invention also relates to a weaving loom provided with such a device.

A device for cutting off weft yarn (27) during successive weaving cycles, comprising a cutting element (1) and a rotatable detaining element (2c), (13) which is forced to a detaining position by a spring force in order to detain the yarn and can rotate, under the influence of a tensile force exerted by a rapier on the detained yarn, counter to the spring force to a non-detaining position in which the yarn can be moved further towards the cutting element (1) in order to be cut. Such a device is efficient and can be made to be more reliable and more compact than existing devices. The invention also relates to a weaving loom provided with such a device.

Apparatus and method for holding and feeding weft threads (1, 2) to the gripper (6) of a weaving machine with drives (25, 29), with which clamps (11, 12) for the weft threads (1, 2) are moved on motion paths (35, 36) into respectively a feed position (16, 19), a transfer position (17, 20) and a ready position (18, 21). The motion path (35, 36) of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself. In that regard, the motion beginning of at least one of the clamps (11, 12) out of its ready position (18, 21) into its feed position (16, 19) takes place in a time segment that extends from the beginning of the beat-up motion of the weaving reed (9) until the beat-up of the previously inserted weft thread (1, 2) against the beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine.

Apparatus and method for holding and feeding weft threads (1, 2) to the gripper (6) of a weaving machine with drives (25, 29), with which clamps (11, 12) for the weft threads (1, 2) are moved on motion paths (35, 36) into respectively a feed position (16, 19), a transfer position (17, 20) and a ready position (18, 21). The motion path (35, 36) of each clamp comprises a shape that is closed in itself. In that regard, the motion beginning of at least one of the clamps (11, 12) out of its ready position (18, 21) into its feed position (16, 19) takes place in a time segment that extends from the beginning of the beat-up motion of the weaving reed (9) until the beat-up of the previously inserted weft thread (1, 2) against the beat-up line (10) of the weaving machine.

A two-dimensional fabric (20) used to produce a three-dimensional composite part has a binding system (21) with binding warp threads (23) and/or binding weft threads (24) and a reinforcing system (22) with reinforcing weft threads (25) and/or reinforcing warp threads (26). At least some of the inserted reinforcing threads (25) are shortened reinforcing weft threads (25a) and/or shortened reinforcing warp threads (26a). Their thread length (L) is less than that of the binding weft threads (24) or the binding warp threads (23). The shortened reinforcing thread's (25a), (26a) free ends are located in a respective thread end position (30) or (31). The respective thread length (L) and the respective thread end positions (30), (31) of a shortened reinforcing thread (25a), (26a) in the two-dimensional fabric (20) are predetermined based on the three-dimensional shape of the composite part to be produced to reduce cutting waste when producing preforms and cutting effort.

A two-dimensional fabric (20) used to produce a three-dimensional composite part has a binding system (21) with binding warp threads (23) and/or binding weft threads (24) and a reinforcing system (22) with reinforcing weft threads (25) and/or reinforcing warp threads (26). At least some of the inserted reinforcing threads (25) are shortened reinforcing weft threads (25a) and/or shortened reinforcing warp threads (26a). Their thread length (L) is less than that of the binding weft threads (24) or the binding warp threads (23). The shortened reinforcing thread's (25a), (26a) free ends are located in a respective thread end position (30) or (31). The respective thread length (L) and the respective thread end positions (30), (31) of a shortened reinforcing thread (25a), (26a) in the two-dimensional fabric (20) are predetermined based on the three-dimensional shape of the composite part to be produced to reduce cutting waste when producing preforms and cutting effort.

A novel woven fabric is provided wherein preferably two unidirectional mutually offset and at least partly overlapping layers of tape-like warps interlace with tape-like wefts, at least some being fibrous tapes, that are incorporated individually in either non-overlapping manner or in a mutually offset and overlapping manner relative to other weft tapes. Such a woven fabric is without see-through gaps at the areas/sites encircled by intersecting tape-like warps and wefts, and also delamination resistant. It is particularly suitable for composite material, ballistic mitigation, and similar applications.