3D Weaving Process for Composite Reinforcements: Critical Yarn Crossings

Abstract

Whatever the final use, usual or composite materials, 2D or 3D fabrics, high-density weaving processes cause yarn-to-yarn friction damage, leading to filament breakage and interlacing, resulting in defects in the final product and reducing production speed. The study aimed to highlight the specific weaving pattern configurations that are harmful to yarns by measuring directly on the weaving machine yarn tension and tracking movement, both focused on the shedding stage. A new paradigm for defining the weaving pattern based on yarn interactions is considered, with three parameters: the number of moving yarns, the number of potential yarn interactions, and the pattern organisation for the same number of moving yarns. From a spectral analysis of yarn tension evolution during the weaving cycle and the yarn speed study, it can be concluded weaving pattern criticality depends on a combination of both the number of moving yarns and the number of crossings between them. Principal Component Analysis highlights the correlation between parameters.