Braiding machine

Abstract

A braiding machine is provided comprising a support member, a series of drivers carried by the support member arranged in a circle around a braiding point, a mechanism to rotate adjacent of the drivers in opposite directions, a series of strand supply carrier spindles, and a plurality of cars for mounting of an associated spindle to be driven by the drivers for travel in serpentine intersecting paths in opposite directions around the braiding point. Each of the plurality of cars comprises a unitary central post, a mounting base, and a foot. The post extends from a bottom plane surface of the foot through the foot and the mounting base. The foot and the mounting base are spaced from one another and both provide support to the post.

1 . A method of forming support members for a braiding machine, comprising:
 forming a unitary steel support member from heat treated steel;   machining said unitary support member to a specification including a central post, a mounting base, and a foot;   said post extending from a bottom plane surface of said foot through said foot and said mounting base, wherein said foot and said mounting base are spaced from one another and both provide support to said post;   treating said unitary support member to a nitriding process, after said machining, to increase surface hardness wherein said surface hardness includes a Rockwell hardness of at least 60 C; and,   said nitriding process includes a ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) process at a processing temperature from about 525 degrees Celsius to about 650 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         2 . The method of forming support members according to  claim 1 , wherein said nitriding process is processed at a temperature range from about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of forming support members according to  claim 1 , wherein said nitriding process includes a low temperature heating process in the range of 1000 degrees F. which converts a surface compound from one to another while minimizing a volume change and maintaining said specification to the exterior of said unitary support member, and increasing said surface hardness of said support member to at least 65 C Rockwell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of forming support members according to  claim 3 , wherein said FNC process comprises a temperature from about 545 degrees Celsius to about 585 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         5 . The method of forming support members according to  claim 4 , wherein said FNC process is in a ferritic phase. 
     
     
         6 . A method of lubricating a braiding machine, comprising:
 providing a lubrication system for Introducing oil into each bearing housing having an associated spindle wherein said oil is introduced in between tapered roller bearings and is metered into each said spindle;   providing an open bearing system wherein said oil leaves through the bearing housing in the front and onto a track, and wherein said oil leaves through the bearing housing in the back and onto a back gear;   said oil travels axially through each said bearing housing;   distributing said oil through at least one manifold including a plurality of lubricant feeds, wherein each said lubricant feed provides a supply of said oil to each horn gear assembly via an associated said bearing housing; and,   said lubrication system comprises an open system including a collection tray at the bottom of the frame for collecting said oil.   
     
     
         7 . The method of lubricating a braiding machine according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 collecting said oil in said tray; and,   pumping said oil from said tray to a filter.   
     
     
         8 . The method of lubricating a braiding machine according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 filtering said oil; and,   recirculating said oil into said lubrication system.   
     
     
         9 . A method of reducing friction in a braiding machine, comprising:
 providing a lubrication system for Introducing oil into each bearing housing having an associated spindle wherein said oil is introduced in between tapered roller bearings and is metered into each said spindle;   providing an open bearing system wherein said oil leaves through the bearing housing in the front and onto a track, and wherein said oil leaves through the bearing housing in the back and onto a back gear;   distributing said oil through at least one manifold including a plurality of lubricant feeds, wherein each said feed provides a supply of said oil to each horn gear assembly via an associated said bearing housing;   said lubrication system comprises an open system including a collection tray at the bottom of the frame for collecting said oil;   forming a steel support member from heat treated steel;   
       machining said support member to a specification including a unitary central post, a mounting base, and a foot;
 said unitary central post extending from a bottom plane surface of said foot through said foot and said mounting base, wherein said foot and said mounting base are spaced from one another and both provide support to said unitary central post; 
 treating said support member to a nitriding process, after said machining, to increase surface hardness wherein said surface hardness includes a Rockwell hardness of at least 60 C. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of reducing friction in a braiding machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said nitriding process includes a ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) process at a processing temperature from about 525 degrees Celsius to about 650 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         11 . The method of reducing friction in a braiding machine according to  claim 10  wherein said FNC process comprises a temperature from about 545 degrees Celsius to about 585 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         12 . The method of reducing friction in a braiding machine according to  claim 11 , wherein said FNC process is in a ferritic phase. 
     
     
         13 . The method of forming support members according to  claim 1 , wherein said surface hardness is greater than 70 C Rockwell. 
     
     
         14 . The method of reducing friction in a braiding machine according to  claim 9 , wherein said surface hardness is greater than 70 C Rockwell.