Systems and methods are provided for braiding Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) tape. One method includes drawing multiple lanes of MMC tape, comprising a matrix of metal reinforced by fibers, from bobbins arranged around a mandrel. The method also includes braiding the multiple lanes to form a preform at the mandrel for an MMC part and consolidating the preform via application of heat and pressure.

A bobbin head assembly for a maypole type circular braiding machine contains a spindle unit, a braiding material spool with braiding material and a bobbin head. The bobbin head contains a compensation plate and a torsion spring extending helically around the extended axis of the spindle unit. The torsion spring has a nose bent radially inwards towards the center at each of the two ends of the torsion spring coils. A spring seat is attached on the compensation plate, for receiving the torsion spring with a spring abutment element for fixing the nose of one spring end in a circumferential direction of the torsion spring. A fixing collar adjustably fixes the nose of the other spring end in the opposite circumferential direction at different positions along the circumferential direction. The position of the fixing collar can be secured in the circumferential direction with respect to the bobbin head.

A bobbin head assembly for a maypole type circular braiding machine contains a spindle unit, a braiding material spool with braiding material and a bobbin head. The bobbin head contains a compensation plate and a torsion spring extending helically around the extended axis of the spindle unit. The torsion spring has a nose bent radially inwards towards the center at each of the two ends of the torsion spring coils. A spring seat is attached on the compensation plate, for receiving the torsion spring with a spring abutment element for fixing the nose of one spring end in a circumferential direction of the torsion spring. A fixing collar adjustably fixes the nose of the other spring end in the opposite circumferential direction at different positions along the circumferential direction. The position of the fixing collar can be secured in the circumferential direction with respect to the bobbin head.

The invention relates to a bobbin carrier for receiving a bobbin which is set up for unwinding a strand material, wherein the bobbin carrier is provided for use in a braiding, winding or spiraling machine and is set up to rotate relative to the machine during operation of the latter. The bobbin carrier has a tensile-force measuring device for measuring the tensile force of the strand material unwound from the bobbin and has a first data transfer device for transferring data. According to the invention, the first data transfer device is set up to transfer measured tensile force values to a second data transfer device arranged outside the bobbin carrier. As a result, too low or too high tensile forces in the strand material can be detected early at the individual bobbin carriers. The tensile force can be kept largely constant by the transfer of set point tensile force values from the second data transfer device to the first data transfer device and by a suitable control or regulation device at the bobbin carrier.

The invention relates to a bobbin carrier for receiving a bobbin which is set up for unwinding a strand material, wherein the bobbin carrier is provided for use in a braiding, winding or spiraling machine and is set up to rotate relative to the machine during operation of the latter. The bobbin carrier has a tensile-force measuring device for measuring the tensile force of the strand material unwound from the bobbin and has a first data transfer device for transferring data. According to the invention, the first data transfer device is set up to transfer measured tensile force values to a second data transfer device arranged outside the bobbin carrier. As a result, too low or too high tensile forces in the strand material can be detected early at the individual bobbin carriers. The tensile force can be kept largely constant by the transfer of set point tensile force values from the second data transfer device to the first data transfer device and by a suitable control or regulation device at the bobbin carrier.

The invention relates to a braiding bobbin for a braiding device. The braiding bobbin includes a cylindrical braiding spool, from which a previously wound, multilayer ribbon can be unwound, wherein a first layer of the ribbon consists of a pre-impregnated fiber film, and a second layer of the ribbon consists of a protective film. In addition, the braiding bobbin includes a bracket to which the braiding spool is frontally and rotatably fastened. Additionally provided for the braiding bobbin is a cylindrical additional spool for winding the protective film of the unwound ribbon and a deflection element. The deflection element is fastened to the bracket, wherein the deflection element is secured spaced apart in the radial direction R to the braiding spool and designed for deflecting the protective film from the braiding spool to the additional spool.

The invention relates to a braiding bobbin for a braiding device. The braiding bobbin includes a cylindrical braiding spool, from which a previously wound, multilayer ribbon can be unwound, wherein a first layer of the ribbon consists of a pre-impregnated fiber film, and a second layer of the ribbon consists of a protective film. In addition, the braiding bobbin includes a bracket to which the braiding spool is frontally and rotatably fastened. Additionally provided for the braiding bobbin is a cylindrical additional spool for winding the protective film of the unwound ribbon and a deflection element. The deflection element is fastened to the bracket, wherein the deflection element is secured spaced apart in the radial direction R to the braiding spool and designed for deflecting the protective film from the braiding spool to the additional spool.

The present invention relates to a braiding machine and a method for controlling a braiding machine of this kind. An exemplary embodiment of the braiding machine has a plurality of braided-material carriers, a drive and a control device. The plurality of braided-material carriers are arranged around a common braiding centre of the braiding machine and are each designed to carry a braided material that is to be braided in the common braiding centre. The drive is designed to drive the plurality of braided-material carriers such that they move around the common braiding centre. The control device is designed to control the drive such that a centrifugal force acting on at least one of the braided-material carriers remains nearly constant.

The present invention relates to a braiding machine and a method for controlling a braiding machine of this kind. An exemplary embodiment of the braiding machine has a plurality of braided-material carriers, a drive and a control device. The plurality of braided-material carriers are arranged around a common braiding centre of the braiding machine and are each designed to carry a braided material that is to be braided in the common braiding centre. The drive is designed to drive the plurality of braided-material carriers such that they move around the common braiding centre. The control device is designed to control the drive such that a centrifugal force acting on at least one of the braided-material carriers remains nearly constant.

A method of braiding a stent includes braiding a number of elongate filaments around a mandrel using tensioned braiding carriers without spooling the filaments to the tensioned braiding carriers to form a braided stent having atraumatic ends.