Many times customers have questions for us about braiding in general and our wire and textile carriers in particular. The HOSE BRAIDING TECHNOLOGY FORUM is a discussion of concerns related both to braiding and the use of SDC Carriers in the braiding process. We hope this discussion will contribute to a continuing dialog with our customers and lead to improvements to the braiding process. If you have questions you can you can fill out our form under Req. Info or send them via e-mail and we will reply to your specific situation by e-mail.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF BRAIDING
BOBBIN WINDING
Winding quality is very important for both the quality of the braid and
the operation of the carriers. At the same time the appropriate winding
quality for a particular product varies because of a number of factors.
Some of these factors are listed below.
In addition, these factors vary in their relative importance from one product to the next. All these factors must be weighed in accordance with what you are trying to make. Although SDC does not manufacture either wire or textile winders our partners at O.M.A. Srl of Milan, Italy manufacture both types of winders with the best combination of technology, performance and value in the industry.
THE SDC BOBBIN
The quality and consistancy of the bobbin are the very foundation of
the quality and consistancy of the winding and, in turn, the braid. 
The SDC Bobbin is constructed from medium carbon steel using a unique process to create a bobbin of very high strength and rigidity. Competative bobbins of aluminum have a modulus of elasticity of less than 15,000 ksi, while the SDC Bobbin has a modulus of elasticity of 30,000 ksi. Competative bobbins of iron have a modulus between 15,000 and 25,000 ksi and are not always uniform. Because of the consistant properties of steel, the SDC Bobbin can be manufactured to extremely close tolerance. Further, the flanges at both ends are machined in the same setup so the teeth the bore and other critical features of the SDC bobbin are perfectly aligned.
CARRIER TENSION
Uniformity and consistancy of tension over time from full bobbin to empty bobbin will produce a better quality braid. The Color Coded spring cartidge and clutch springs used in the SDC carrier for tension control allow for repeatable results quickly and easily without having to constantly measure carrier output.
The Spring Cartridge is color coded so the compensator springs can be identified quickly and easily. The cartridge design makes it easy to install the springs and allows for an initial compression of up to 80%. The cartridges are easy to identify, store and handle.
The clutch springs are also color coded for ease of identification. The clutch springs are installed with a quarter turn retainer and can be changed on the braiding machine without disturbing the braid. This feature has proven useful to customers who need to make fine adjustments in tensions to regulate the finished diameter of the hose.
WIRE FORMING
In most cases it is desirable to form the wire before it is braided. By forming the wire the tendency for the hose to expand at the cut end when it is cut is minimized. This gives the hose a better appearance and makes it easier to handle.
WIRE FORMING WITH THE LET-OFF EYELET
Wire forming with a radius (.094 in.) eyelet is very popular, especially for brass coated high strength steel wire. This design is less costly, however, there is a down side when you consider the heat and friction produced when the wire scrubs against the carbide eyelet under pressure.
At tensions of approximately 15 pounds or less the heat and friction is tolerable, however, when tensions exceed 15 pounds consideration should be given to using a large radius (.188 in.) eyelet in combination with a forming pin or a swivel let-off in combination with a carbide forming pin.
WIRE FORMING WITH THE CARBIDE FORMING PIN AND LET-OFF EYELET
The forming pin is located on the top head just before the compensator. In this position the wire in contact with the forming pin is moving in one direction (toward the braiding point). This means that there is no back and forth scrubbing of the wire during forming as would be encountered with forming the wire at the let-off eyelet (after the compensator). If forming is not required the carbide forming pin is simply by-passed. Using the carbide forming pin with the let-off eyelet allows for the radius of the eyelet to be large (.188 in.) to minimize heat and friction. Again this system is ideal for brass coated high strength steel wire with tensions of less than approximately 20 pounds.
WIRE FORMING WITH THE CARBIDE FORMING PIN AND THE SWIVEL LET-OFF
Again, the carbide forming pin is located on the top head just before
the compensator. In this position the wire in contact with the carbide
forming pin is moving in one direction (toward the braiding point). This
means that there is no back and forth scrubbing of the wire during forming
as would be encountered when forming the wire with the let-off eyelet
(after the compensator). If forming is not required the carbide forming
pin is simply by-passed.
Using the carbide forming pin with the swivel let-off eliminates heat and friction at the let- off. This system is ideal for all types of stainless steel wire because the wire rolls on a pulley supported on a ball bearing. This not only eliminates friction and heat, but also eliminates damage to the wire and the debris associated with the damage. The debris from stainless steel wire creates a house cleaning problem and introduces abrasive dust to the moving parts of the carrier and the braiding machine.