Jacquard UNIVAL 100 parameters study for high-density weaving optimization

Abstract

3D structures for composites, and especially 3D woven preforms use, is growing because of high-performance fibres improvements, field diversification and applications complexity. Critical industries like the air-space industry need a perfect control of processes and products’ final properties. Among other 3D weaving techniques, multilayer weaving is interesting for the diversity and complexity of possible 3D structures. A new Jacquard shedding technology called UNIVAL 100 which can be used with multilayer weaving, has appeared few years ago and uses actuators instead of the traditional Jacquard hooks. It is synonym of great improvements, as such a technology should enable controlling perfectly the way yarns are moving during shedding. The aim of this paper is first to describe their operating mode. It is our basis for a design of experiments development, the purpose of which is to experimentally determine the effects of UNIVAL parameters on process quality, in the case of high-density multilayer woven fabrics (which we will further call HDMW fabrics).