A giver rapier head (1) comprises a presentation space (9) between a successive guide nose (11), for leading off warp threads (23) on one side (7), and a selection nose (8), for leading off warp threads (23) on the other side, so that a weft thread (2) can be directly presented in this presentation space (9) and can engage from there in an insertion space (15) between the selection nose (8) and the first-mentioned side (7). A giver rapier (1) has a limit guide arc (10) which is arranged at the front side of the giver rapier (1) and a selection nose (8) which is arranged on the top side, with its top (26) facing the guide arc (10). A rapier weaving machine (20) comprises such a giver rapier head (1). In a method for inserting a weft thread (2), the giver rapier head (1) is moved towards this weft thread (2) while the reed (19) beats up an inserted weft thread (2).

This rapier is for drawing-in a weft yarn into a shed of a weaving loom (2), along a drawing-in path. The rapier includes a rapier head (206) mounted at one end of the rapier, which extends along a main longitudinal is driven, along the drawing-in path, by a drive. Also included is a clamp (320) for catching a weft yarn, with the clamp being mounted in the rapier head, operable between an open and closed configuration. The rapier includes an electric motor, (208) mounted on the body for actuating the clamp and a mechanism (260-328) for transforming an output movement of the motor, which is a rotation around an axis (A208) parallel to the main longitudinal axis, into an opening or a closing movement of the clamp.

This disclosure relates to a rapier weaving machine, which includes an insert rapier head for inserting a weft yarn into a fabric, a receiver rapier head for receiving and holding the weft yarn and subsequently pulling the weft yarn out of the fabric in a movement direction, an opening element for opening the receiver rapier head in order to release the weft yarn, and a guiding device, positioned on the side of the receiver rapier head opposite the opening element, and comprising a guiding block for adjusting the movement direction of the receiver rapier head, and a rotatable guiding wheel for restraining the receiver rapier head when opening.

This disclosure further relates to a method for converting an existing rapier weaving machine into a rapier weaving machine according to this disclosure.

A wearable, nanoconductor technology for smart electronic applications. A novel nano-scale geometry is achieved for nanoconductor circuits on the order of the size of a single thread or smaller, which are easily integrated with clothing and provide smart applications for wearable electronics. The nano-scale fibers provide improved material characteristics and the fixed geometry and orientation of the nanoconductor structures allow easier interface of nanoconductor electronics integrated with the clothing or with electronics external to the weave of the clothing. Novel electronic circuits based on the size and fixed geometries of the nanoconductor fibers which allow configurable functions that can be employed for different uses through logic circuit configuration or serial programming during wear are disclosed.

A shuttleless weaving loom with a weft insertion device. A transfer device and retaining disc are connected to the weft insertion device such that the retaining disc holds the weft fiber in a fixed orientation as it traverses through the shed of the loom. A plurality of sensors which are part of a microcircuit are mounted on the retaining disc for measurement of the weft fiber's position. A signaling circuit is mounted on the shuttleless loom and an electrical connector is connected to the signaling circuit to allow for external monitoring or display of the weft fiber's position. The measurements from the plurality of sensors are communicated through the electrical connector to an external device such that the position and orientation of the weft fiber can be monitored or displayed as the weft insertion device travels through the shuttleless loom.

A weaving apparatus comprising a shuttleless loom with a weft insertion device. A transfer device and retaining disc are connected to the weft insertion device such that the retaining disc holds the weft fiber in a fixed orientation as it traverses through the shed of the loom. A plurality of sensors which are part of a microcircuit are mounted on the retaining disc for measurement of the weft fiber's position. A signaling circuit is mounted on the shuttleless loom and an electrical connector is connected to the signaling circuit to allow for external monitoring or display of the weft fiber's position. The measurements from the plurality of sensors are communicated through the electrical connector to an external device such that the position and orientation of the weft fiber can be monitored or displayed as the weft insertion device travels through the shuttleless loom.

A wearable, nanoconductor technology for smart electronic applications. A novel nano-scale geometry is achieved for nanoconductor circuits on the order of the size of a single thread or smaller, which are easily integrated with clothing and provide smart applications for wearable electronics. The nano-scale fibers provide improved material characteristics and the fixed geometry and orientation of the nanoconductor structures allow easier interface of nanoconductor electronics integrated with the clothing or with electronics external to the weave of the clothing. Novel electronic circuits based on the size and fixed geometries of the nanoconductor fibers which allow configurable functions that can be employed for different uses through logic circuit configuration or serial programming during wear are disclosed.

A two-dimensional fabric (20) used to produce a three-dimensional composite part has a binding system (21) with binding warp threads (23) and/or binding weft threads (24) and a reinforcing system (22) with reinforcing weft threads (25) and/or reinforcing warp threads (26). At least some of the inserted reinforcing threads (25) are shortened reinforcing weft threads (25a) and/or shortened reinforcing warp threads (26a). Their thread length (L) is less than that of the binding weft threads (24) or the binding warp threads (23). The shortened reinforcing thread's (25a), (26a) free ends are located in a respective thread end position (30) or (31). The respective thread length (L) and the respective thread end positions (30), (31) of a shortened reinforcing thread (25a), (26a) in the two-dimensional fabric (20) are predetermined based on the three-dimensional shape of the composite part to be produced to reduce cutting waste when producing preforms and cutting effort.

A two-dimensional fabric (20) used to produce a three-dimensional composite part has a binding system (21) with binding warp threads (23) and/or binding weft threads (24) and a reinforcing system (22) with reinforcing weft threads (25) and/or reinforcing warp threads (26). At least some of the inserted reinforcing threads (25) are shortened reinforcing weft threads (25a) and/or shortened reinforcing warp threads (26a). Their thread length (L) is less than that of the binding weft threads (24) or the binding warp threads (23). The shortened reinforcing thread's (25a), (26a) free ends are located in a respective thread end position (30) or (31). The respective thread length (L) and the respective thread end positions (30), (31) of a shortened reinforcing thread (25a), (26a) in the two-dimensional fabric (20) are predetermined based on the three-dimensional shape of the composite part to be produced to reduce cutting waste when producing preforms and cutting effort.

A rapier weaving machine and a method for converting an existing rapier weaving machine into a rapier weaving machine, which includes an insert rapier head for inserting a weft yarn into a fabric, a receiver rapier head for receiving and holding the weft yarn and subsequently pulling the weft yarn out of the fabric in a movement direction, an opening element for opening the receiver rapier head in order to release the weft yarn, and a guiding device, positioned on the side of the receiver rapier head opposite the opening element, and comprising a guiding block for adjusting the movement direction of the receiver rapier head, and a rotatable guiding wheel for restraining the receiver rapier head when opening.