A method produces a fiber composite preform for a fiber composite component. The fiber composite preform has a plurality of layers of a fiber roving. The method includes: providing a support core for arranging the fiber roving s on a braiding device, the support core having a support core longitudinal axis, producing a first braided fabric layer from fiber rovings on the support core in a first braiding direction parallel to the support core longitudinal axis of the support core by the braiding device, and producing a second braided fabric layer from fiber rovings on the first braided fabric layer by the braiding device. The second braided fabric layer is produced in a second braiding direction parallel to the support core longitudinal axis, the second braiding direction being opposite the first braiding direction.

A method produces a fiber composite preform for a fiber composite component. The fiber composite preform has a plurality of layers of a fiber roving. The method includes: providing a support core for arranging the fiber roving s on a braiding device, the support core having a support core longitudinal axis, producing a first braided fabric layer from fiber rovings on the support core in a first braiding direction parallel to the support core longitudinal axis of the support core by the braiding device, and producing a second braided fabric layer from fiber rovings on the first braided fabric layer by the braiding device. The second braided fabric layer is produced in a second braiding direction parallel to the support core longitudinal axis, the second braiding direction being opposite the first braiding direction.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise one or more stator coils arranged in a three-dimensional configuration, and a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The stator coils of the apparatus may be configured to generate an electromagnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise one or more stator coils arranged in a three-dimensional configuration, and a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The stator coils of the apparatus may be configured to generate an electromagnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material.

A device for guiding a barbed suture into a braider preferably includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and having a first distal opening at the distal end of the elongated body, whereby the said first channel has a first cross-sectional area, and a second channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and having a second distal opening at the distal end of the elongated body, whereby the second channel has a second cross-sectional area that is different than the first cross-sectional area of the first channel. The device has an elongated slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body that interconnects the first and second channels. A barbed suture is loaded into the elongated body. The barbed suture includes an elongated core having a proximal end, a distal end, a barbed section including barbs extending outwardly from the elongated core, an end effector secured to the proximal end of the elongated core, and an interconnecting segment of the elongated core that is distal to the end effector and proximal to the barbed section. The barbed section of the barbed suture is disposed within the first channel, the end effector of the barbed suture is disposed within the second channel, and the interconnecting segment of said barbed suture extends through the elongated slot.

A device for guiding a barbed suture into a braider preferably includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and having a first distal opening at the distal end of the elongated body, whereby the said first channel has a first cross-sectional area, and a second channel extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body and having a second distal opening at the distal end of the elongated body, whereby the second channel has a second cross-sectional area that is different than the first cross-sectional area of the first channel. The device has an elongated slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body that interconnects the first and second channels. A barbed suture is loaded into the elongated body. The barbed suture includes an elongated core having a proximal end, a distal end, a barbed section including barbs extending outwardly from the elongated core, an end effector secured to the proximal end of the elongated core, and an interconnecting segment of the elongated core that is distal to the end effector and proximal to the barbed section. The barbed section of the barbed suture is disposed within the first channel, the end effector of the barbed suture is disposed within the second channel, and the interconnecting segment of said barbed suture extends through the elongated slot.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise one or more stator coils arranged in a three-dimensional configuration, and a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The stator coils of the apparatus may be configured to generate an electromagnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material.

The method includes procuring an annular core 3 of main axis Z3. The core is closed on itself by a core join 6 which occupies, in azimuth about said main axis Z3, a first angular sector S6. Then, a braiding is performed by helically winding, about the core 3, a braid wire 4 that is held closed by a braid join 8, of sleeve 9 type, which occupies a second angular sector S8. A method during which a registration element 16, with respect to which the position of the first angular sector S6 is known, is sought and detected on the core 3, and the azimuthal orientation of the core 3 is adapted during the braiding, with reference to said registration element 16, so that the second angular sector S8 occupied by the braid join 8 does not overlap the first angular sector S6 occupied by the core join 6.

In a method for producing a braid that extends in a longitudinal direction, multiple individual strands are interwoven with one another. For this purpose, first and second spools are moved relative to one another, the individual strands being wound onto the spools. The first spools having first individual strands are guided on a path that circulates about the longitudinal axis with the result that the first individual strands are arranged in a helical manner at least in sections about the longitudinal axis. The second spools having second individual strands are arranged with respect to the direction of rotation at fixed angular positions with the result that the second individual strands are incorporated into the braid in a manner in which they extend parallel to the longitudinal direction.

A sealing material composition which comprises sheet-like members containing expanded graphite, and which hardly causes the sheet-like members to be broken is provided.

A sealing material composition 1 comprises: a stacked body 5; and a long surrounding body 6 which surrounds the stacked body. The stacked body has a plurality of sheet-like members 10 each of which is formed into a tape-like shape by expanded graphite. In the stacked body, the plurality of sheet-like members are stacked in a direction which intersects with the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, and, in the plurality of sheet-like members, sheet-like members which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction are disposed to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, in a relatively movable manner. The surrounding body allows the adjacent sheet-like members to be relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the surrounding body, while maintaining the stacked state of the adjacent sheet-like members.