Geometrical modeling of tubular braided structures using generalized rose curve

This paper reports a geometrical modeling technique for tubular braided structures based on the generalized rose curve as the mathematical model. By analysis of the braiding process, the modeling method for the tubular braided structures is derived based on the intersection of braiding surface and helical surface. As application of this method, braided structures of diamond braid, regular braid and Hercules braid with strands and tapes are simulated using SolidWorks®, and the modeling effect is validated by two different real braided ropes with different braiding elements. This modeling method is not confined by the profiles of mandrels, and could be employed to simulate the braided structures for overbraiding bodies with varying cross-sections. As an application, braided models overbraiding a rotary hyperboloid and a bottle-like structure with strand and tape elements, respectively, are constructed.