SBIR-STTR Award

Braidtech's proprietary automated, continuous process for fabricating 3-D braided composite preforms will be the basis for the design of a 3-D Braiding machine capable of fabricating net shape preforms of interest to the turbine engine aeropropulsion designer. The design that evolves will be an extension of basic concepts evaluated by Braidtech for the design of automated looms for fabricating shapes for the aircraft, marine, and land transportation industries. The project will review shapes of interest, and select a set of criteria that reflects those vaious shapes, and the mechanical requirements to be satisfied by the reinforcing preform. Three dimensional reinforcement is essential; accurate and reproducible fiber placement have equal importance. A continuous, minimum labor, automated, inexpensive process is desired; magnaweave is seen to have the potential to satisfy both the technical and the economic requirements of the program

A mechanized circular 3D braiding machine, based on Magnaweave/ Braidtech technology, will be constructed to specifications that will permit the fabrication of braided preforms for the complex shapes of interest to designers of gas turbine engine. A thirty ring, 360 elements/ring braider will be fabricated, with associated elements, spoke and ring motion sequencing, ... Support structure. Close cooperation with William International staff will provide dimensions and requirements for (1) spin discs to be tested in ongoing programs at WI; WI will densify, machine and test the discs, as well as those subsequent preforms to be fabricated for turbine rotor composite shapes. Fabrication of six simple spin discs is planned, and one or more rotor preforms. The braider will have the capability for decoupled motion of the outer blade rings, to produce canted blades. Interaction between the fabricators and the testers will promote early improvement in braid geometry design to satisfy performance requirements of the composite shapes. An active task will be a subordinate study to determine the practical potential of this technology for the gas turbine industry. The industry will learn of braiding possibilities, and the program will make an estimate of scope of the market. Braiitech commits phase iii financial investment upon the successful conclusion of this Phase II effort.