A braiding machine comprising a support structure, a track, an enclosure, a plurality of rotor metals, and a passageway having a first opening and a second opening, and a method of forming an upper using a braiding machine, the method comprising braiding over a forming last that passes from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine. The braiding machine is capable of forming intricate braided structures and may include different sized rings and non-linear passageways through which a forming last passes. Multiple forming lasts may be attached together by connection mechanisms and passed through the braiding machine.

A braiding machine comprising a support structure, a track, an enclosure, a plurality of rotor metals, and a passageway having a first opening and a second opening, and a method of forming an upper using a braiding machine, the method comprising braiding over a forming last that passes from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine. The braiding machine is capable of forming intricate braided structures and may include different sized rings and non-linear passageways through which a forming last passes. Multiple forming lasts may be attached together by connection mechanisms and passed through the braiding machine.

An apparatus for manipulating a material is provided. The apparatus may comprise a magnetic device arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. The apparatus may comprise a surface on which at least one carrier is configured to move. The magnetic device may be configured to provide a magnetic field for driving the carrier on the surface to manipulate a material. The apparatus may comprise a controller configured to control the magnetic device to modulate the magnetic field. The controller may be further configured to detect a position and/or motion of the carrier.

A method of forming a braided coating over a product (2, 2A), in particular a flexible product such as a cable, a rope, a pipe, etc., is provided, in which the product (2, 2A), while leaving a coating zone (17) of a braiding machine (100), is submitted to a continuous rotation about its longitudinal axis. A braiding machine (100) for carrying out the method and a coated product obtained with the method are also provided.

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 assembly for an armouring machine may include a support disk, the support disk defining a central opening for receiving a pipe and a plurality of perimeter openings for receiving a plurality of strips, and the support disk being rotatable about a longitudinal axis passing through the central opening. The assembly may further include a guide plate surrounding the longitudinal axis and including a plurality of guide structures, the guide structures being positioned for receiving the strips as they move downstream from the support disk. The assembly may further include an actuation device that is mechanically coupled to the guide plate, where actuation of the actuation device causes rotation of the guide plate with respect to the support disk.

An assembly for an armouring machine may include a support disk, the support disk defining a central opening for receiving a pipe and a plurality of perimeter openings for receiving a plurality of strips, and the support disk being rotatable about a longitudinal axis passing through the central opening. The assembly may further include a guide plate surrounding the longitudinal axis and including a plurality of guide structures, the guide structures being positioned for receiving the strips as they move downstream from the support disk. The assembly may further include an actuation device that is mechanically coupled to the guide plate, where actuation of the actuation device causes rotation of the guide plate with respect to the support disk.

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 braiding machine comprising a support structure, a track, an enclosure, a plurality of rotor metals, and a passageway having a first opening and a second opening, and a method of forming an upper using a braiding machine, the method comprising braiding over a forming last that passes from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine. The braiding machine is capable of forming intricate braided structures and may include different sized rings and non-linear passageways through which a forming last passes. Multiple forming lasts may be attached together by connection mechanisms and passed through the braiding machine.

A braiding machine comprising a support structure, a track, an enclosure, a plurality of rotor metals, and a passageway having a first opening and a second opening, and a method of forming an upper using a braiding machine, the method comprising braiding over a forming last that passes from a first side of a braiding point to a second side of the braiding point of the braiding machine. The braiding machine is capable of forming intricate braided structures and may include different sized rings and non-linear passageways through which a forming last passes. Multiple forming lasts may be attached together by connection mechanisms and passed through the braiding machine.