Bobbin

These contain the material that is to be braided, this can vary widely and includes steel and copper wire, cotton yarn, and a wide range of different polymer threads

Capstan Haul-off Wheel

A large diameter wheel used with vertical braiders to pull product through the machine

Carrier

Individual holder for each bobbin that rotates around the track

Caterpillar Haul-off

Pulls the material through the machine on a horizontal braider using an upper and lower caterpillar track

Horizontal Braider

Horizontal configuration braiders are used for larger production sizes (see also Vertical)

Horn Gear

A train of gears on a PCD (pitch circle diameter) that drives the carrier around the track via a slotted plate on top of each gear

Lay angle

This is the angle at which the material (wire, yarn etc.) is applied to the mandrel. The narrower the lay angle, the wider the lay length

Lay length

This is the distance between pattern repeats.  The combination of lay angle, lay length and machine speed will determine the density of the braided material produced.

Maypole

This is the principle by which all braiding machines work, similar to the traditional maypole

Multideck

Multideck braiders are used for more complex materials, often where braided material is then braided again

Odd numbers

Braiders with an odd number of carriers produce "flat" braid, which is widely used for catalytic converters - click here

Picks per inch

The number of stitches forming the braid per inch

Supaload^© Carrier

B&F Carter's high reliability, high productivity bobbin carrier. Braiding machine speed and output capability are determined by the number of carriers, which can range from 16 to 96

Threads per inch

The number of stitches forming the braid per inch

Vertical  Braider

Vertical configuration braiders are used for smaller production sizes (see also Horizontal)

Winder

Precision winding equipment is essential for the accurate filling of carrier bobbins to ensure smooth, trouble free production