An automatic circumferential insertion apparatus and method for a complex rotary preform. The apparatus includes a double-hinge yarn carrier and a U-shaped bracket. Two ends of the double-hinge yarn carrier are respectively provided with a cylindrical hinge structure. One cylindrical hinge structure is in revolving pair connection with an outer clamping buckle at one end of the U-shaped bracket, and the other cylindrical hinge structure is in revolving pair connection with an inner clamping buckle at the other end of the U-shaped bracket. Two sides of the U-shaped bracket are provided with an electromagnet, respectively. The outer clamping buckle is provided with a pin, which is controlled by triggering, and is triggered simultaneously with the electromagnet at the side where the outer clamping buckle is arranged.

A penta-axial braiding assembly comprising: a braiding machine comprising: a circular machine bed with an interior curved surface, an exterior curved surface, and a front face; radial bobbins associated with the interior curved surface and configured to dispense a first number of yarns; and front face bobbins associated with the front face and configured to dispense a second number of yarns. A first guide assembly comprising a first braiding plate configured to form a first braiding point for the first number of yarns from the radial bobbins. A second guide assembly comprising a second braiding plate configured to form a second braiding point for the second number of yarns dispensed from the front face bobbins.

A penta-axial braiding assembly comprising: a braiding machine comprising: a circular machine bed with an interior curved surface, an exterior curved surface, and a front face; radial bobbins associated with the interior curved surface and configured to dispense a first number of yarns; and front face bobbins associated with the front face and configured to dispense a second number of yarns. A first guide assembly comprising a first braiding plate configured to form a first braiding point for the first number of yarns from the radial bobbins. A second guide assembly comprising a second braiding plate configured to form a second braiding point for the second number of yarns dispensed from the front face bobbins.

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.

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.

Disclosed is an efficient automatic intelligent braiding machine, which includes a yarn feeding device, a winding device positioned at one end of the yarn feeding device, a mold plate conveying device positioned below the winding device, a preforming device positioned above the winding device, and a thermoforming device positioned close to the mold plate conveying device; the mold plate conveying device is used for holding a mold plate placed thereon, and the mold plate is provided with a plurality of surrounding columns. The braiding machine is an integrated equipment including yarn feeding device, winding device, mold plate conveying device, preforming device, thermoforming device and discharging device, which may realize a whole process of feeding, winding, thermoforming and discharging, with a highly automated operation, high efficiency, and low labor cost. The equipment is able to produce knitted fabrics of different shapes and configurations through various winding trajectory.

Disclosed is an efficient automatic intelligent braiding machine, which includes a yarn feeding device, a winding device positioned at one end of the yarn feeding device, a mold plate conveying device positioned below the winding device, a preforming device positioned above the winding device, and a thermoforming device positioned close to the mold plate conveying device; the mold plate conveying device is used for holding a mold plate placed thereon, and the mold plate is provided with a plurality of surrounding columns. The braiding machine is an integrated equipment including yarn feeding device, winding device, mold plate conveying device, preforming device, thermoforming device and discharging device, which may realize a whole process of feeding, winding, thermoforming and discharging, with a highly automated operation, high efficiency, and low labor cost. The equipment is able to produce knitted fabrics of different shapes and configurations through various winding trajectory.

A method for producing a braided preform, includes the steps of: a) creating a braided sleeve from filler threads and braiding threads in a braiding process, for which purpose the filler threads and braiding threads are taken off thread accumulators, b) feeding a core to the braided sleeve, c) continuing the braiding process, wherein the core is advanced such that it is braided along its length, wherein, during step c), the take-off of at least one filler thread is blocked such that the at least one filler thread is pulled out of at least one section of the braided sleeve surrounding the core.