The largest radial triaxial braider in the UK is currently being installed at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (www.amrc.co.uk) to support the development of complex lightweight pre-forms for automotive, aerospace and other weight-sensitive industries.

The equipment — supplied by Herzog GmbH — is part of a collection of ‘state of the art’ equipment purchased with funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to bolster the UK’s position as a world leader in advanced composites.

The giant 6m-diameter braiding system paves the way for the development of complex architectures and features with dry fibre technology, offering the ability to tailor orientations to suit structural requirements, as well as allowing both off-axis and axial fibres to be laid simultaneously at the deposition rates required for high-volume manufacture.

A wide range of materials can be used with the radial braider, including carbon, thermoplastic, glass, aramid and co-mingled tows.

The braider is also capable of processing ceramic fibre such as alumina and silicon carbide, which would otherwise be difficult to process on a conventional braiding machine.

It has widespread application for components used in aerospace and automotive, helping with the production of fuel pipes and wing spars and numerous car-body structural parts.

It will also be available to support Dowty Propeller’s multi-million-pound digital propulsion project to develop future turboprop solutions.