Systems and methods are provided for consolidating a preform of braided fiber. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a braided preform comprising fibers of unidirectional material that have been woven into a shape having a closed cross-section, disposing the braided preform within a mandrel, disposing an inflatable bladder within the closed cross-section of the braided preform, and iteratively applying pressure to the braided preform via the bladder to consolidate the braided preform against the mandrel.

Systems and methods are provided for consolidating a preform of braided fiber. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a braided preform comprising fibers of unidirectional material that have been woven into a shape having a closed cross-section, disposing the braided preform within a mandrel, disposing an inflatable bladder within the closed cross-section of the braided preform, and iteratively applying pressure to the braided preform via the bladder to consolidate the braided preform against the mandrel.

A braiding apparatus for forming braided tubing comprises a braiding wheel and a plurality of bobbins. The plurality of bobbins are configured to move circumferentially around the braiding wheel. Each bobbin includes a spool, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The spool is configured to hold a tow formed from a braiding material. The first pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a first distance from the spool. The first pulley assembly is configured to facilitate passing the tow over a pulley of the first pulley assembly. The second pulley assembly is coupled to the spool at a second distance that is less than the first distance. The second pulley assembly is configured to facilitate receiving the tow from the first pulley assembly and passing the tow over a pulley of the second pulley assembly and towards a section of the braiding apparatus at which a plurality of tows come together to form the braided tubing.

A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

A mechanism for radially inserting a yarn into a 3D braided preform, including a first bracket, an upper linear actuator, a support mechanism, an upper yarn insertion device, a yarn carrying device, an upper gear ring, a lower yarn insertion device, a lower linear actuator, a second bracket, a lower gear ring, a lower gear, a lower motor, a lower circular track, an upper circular track, a base, an upper gear, a pneumatic transmission and control device and an upper motor.

A mechanism for radially inserting a yarn into a 3D braided preform, including a first bracket, an upper linear actuator, a support mechanism, an upper yarn insertion device, a yarn carrying device, an upper gear ring, a lower yarn insertion device, a lower linear actuator, a second bracket, a lower gear ring, a lower gear, a lower motor, a lower circular track, an upper circular track, a base, an upper gear, a pneumatic transmission and control device and an upper motor.

A method of producing a component for an article of footwear or apparel or a sporting goods accessory. The method of producing a component includes forming at least a first layer by braiding a first braided tube. Braiding may be performed with an empty braiding center. The method further includes arranging the first layer on a form.

A method of producing a component for an article of footwear or apparel or a sporting goods accessory. The method of producing a component includes forming at least a first layer by braiding a first braided tube. Braiding may be performed with an empty braiding center. The method further includes arranging the first layer on a form.

A core-sheath rope can include an outer sheath provided in the form of a hollow braid and an inner sheath provided in the form of a hollow braid, wherein thread changes between threads of the inner sheath and threads of the outer sheath and/or enlacements between threads of the inner sheath and threads of the outer sheath are provided in certain places. The rope can be characterized in that bridge threads extending in the longitudinal direction of the rope are provided in the places of the thread changes and/or enlacements, with the threads of the outer sheath and the inner sheath, respectively, which change from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside, respectively, being guided around those bridge threads.