The geometry of a braid influences its mechanical properties directly. On the other hand, the path of the carriers dictates the geometry of the braid. In traditional braiding machines, the carriers move along a fixed path, via horngears, which cannot be changed during the braiding process. This limitation does not allow braiding with variable geometry parameters along its axis, such as variable thickness and variable cross-sections. This paper presents a braiding machine design allowing a completely independent carrier movement. This process is analogous to 3D printing where layer-by-layer deposition produces a final part. In our case, controlling the position of each intertwining yarn will create a 3D braid. Each carrier can move without affecting the position of its neighbors allowing an easier and total control on the position and morphology of each intertwining yarn. A novel horngear design is proposed. The horngears are independently driven. They occupy the bedplate area in a hexagonal compact arrangement. The carrier path can be divided into multiple pre-defined unitary displacements. Driven by the horngears, the carrier follows these successive unitary displacements. A prototype of the braiding machine has been developed and tested with three independent carriers. As a first step, a flat braid with three yarns is produced. In the second step, a braid with a variable cross section is produced: a flat braid turning into yarn twisting. This proof of concept opens-up the possibility of 3D-printing textile composites with tailorable mechanical properties.

编织物的几何形状直接影响其机械性能。另一方面，载体的路径决定了编织物的几何形状。在传统的编织机中，载体通过角齿轮沿着固定的路径运动，在编织过程中不能改变。此限制不允许沿其轴使用可变的几何参数（例如可变的厚度和可变的横截面）进行编织。本文介绍了一种编织机设计，可实现完全独立的托架运动。此过程类似于3D打印，其中逐层沉积产生最终零件。在我们的案例中，控制每根缠结纱线的位置将创建3D编织物。每个支座都可以移动而不会影响相邻支座的位置，从而可以更轻松，全面地控制每根缠结纱线的位置和形态。提出了一种新颖的喇叭齿轮设计。喇叭齿轮是独立驱动的。它们以六边形紧凑的布置占据了床板区域。承载路径可分为多个预定义的整体位移。在喇叭齿轮的驱动下，托架跟随这些连续的整体位移。编织机的原型已开发并在三个独立的托架上进行了测试。第一步，生产带有三根纱线的扁平编织物。第二步，生产出横截面可变的编织物：扁平编织物变成纱线加捻。