Braiding process
Textile braids are narrow fabrics obtained by the oblique interlacing of several threads made of cotton, polyester, polyamide, viscose… (unlike ribbon, which is made by weaving parallel threads).
Guided by the spindles of the weaving loom, the threads always follow the same movement: at an angle and in a zig-zag, from one edge to the other, passing sometimes over, sometimes under.
The arrangement of the spindles on the braiding machine will determine the type of braided product obtained (cord, flat braid, mat…). We use between 3 and 120 spindles in our fabric, depending on the final objective.
The textile braiding requires the use of real know-how, in several stages :
1) Quilling
In order to be used by our materials, the single or multi-ended yarn is transferred to a defined number of bobbins.
2) Mounting
The bobbins are mounted on the spindles by the lacer, whose tools are the scissors and the threader. The latter passes the thread through the eyelets of the spindles.
3) Braiding
The actual production of the textile braid is carried out on the braiding machine. Depending on the complexity of the product, this stage takes varying amounts of time.
4) Folding
Depending on its destination, the textile braid is packaged on different carriers. Here it undergoes a final check.
Other steps are involved depending on the expected objective :
Assembly and twisting
To facilitate his work or to give an effect to the braiding: the braider adds a twist to the thread or joins together several threads, identical or not.
Finishing
After being cut to the desired length, the textile braid is fitted with a cellulose, plastic or metal end cap This stage is carried out by the company Atiplast, also a member of the Gauthier Group.