A 5 reels fast lego braiding machine, with pro-building instructions and whole package parts + instructions for sale.

Context

Before make my first braiding machine (which was in fact plus a twisting machine), I have worked a lot of this type of architecture of machine. I have tried to make a double pallets with 3 reel, 4 pallets with 12 reel, of a giant version with 6 pallets and 16 reels. But I was always confronted to the fact that the reel didn’t pass well on the each pallet and causes many blocking. After a year of work, concentrated on a simple horizontal braiding machine, I manage to make this work with in addition a very fast motion !

Functioning

The basic functioning is very simple. There are 2 rotating main pallets which has in fact 3 pallets on each. This pallet can handle 3 reels at the same time plus one fixed on the center. By rotating the pallet in different way (clockwise and counterclockwise), there is a moment where a reel on the pallet on left is face of the right pallet, then it has to be moved to this pallet. For that, It uses a moving axle lever connected to the rotation of the main pallet using cam and connecting rod which pushes the reel on every face to face on the two pallets.

There are 2 fixed reels on the center of pallet which make the base of the braiding string. The braiding principle is made by passing alternatively each reel on left or right  in order to braid together.

Tips

It is the most interesting parts, the tips I used to make my braiding machine works, and works fast ! The first important thing is to synchronized the two main pallets in order that they meet face to face exactly. Of course I can not use gear or bevel gear because of delay between tooth and gap in the transmission. That is why I used a chain with a particular path in order to stretch correctly the pallet to be face to face each 1/3 of rotation.

The second tips using a chain is for the drive-train between the main pallet and the oscillating pass-rod lever. I used a chain first for building convenience, but also for set up finely the rotation gap between the pallet and oscillator. With a 40-tooth, I can set up finely each 1/40 of rotation.

To control the tension of each string on reel, I use rubber band connected the the pulley of each reel in order to a little tension to always have the string tighten which is very important to have correct tight fabric result.

The last tips I used is the most important regarding the working of the machine. It is a simple plan composed of gray panel and beam, which support and lead the reel and the red angular liftarm. This plan and red liftarm are very important because without them, the reel can be blocked during the passing on pallet, and with the speed the other reels are ejected of the machine. I have made many prototypes of braiding machine but never with this plan and border, that is why it could not work. Now it works and thanks to that the moving reels are not blocked and the machine can go very fast.

The Result

The 5 reels, are braided together and meet the output hole on the machine, then roll on some rollers and be wound of the drum. This drum is connected to the machine and it is mounted of removal axle in order to set up and obtain final fabric. Also a 12 tooth bevel gear can be slid to have the drum free and make rotate using the crank to set up the tightness. All the machine is powered by a M-Motor.

You can see the result here, the black string is fixed and other moving. The result is quite good with good tight fabric result. Maximum Speed of braiding is 0.60cm/s (using the winchtool) or 35cm/min which is very fast.

Photos And Video

Purchasing the creations or the instructions

You can purchase either the whole creation on the website mochub, or just the building instructions. Regarding the building instructions, you can download one version as a photo sequence for free or buying a other one which looks more Professional with rendering step by step instructions with bill of material at each step.

Want to buy this creation ? The Lego Braiding Machine has been indexed to mochub and are for sale at $169.95 without battery box, and $179.95 with. The whole package included the parts, and the Pro rendering PDF building instructions.

I have made two instructions as usual. A free one based on picture and a pro one, with bill of material, step by step, callout and step group with pro looking. Both include the bill of material :

Want to know if you can build the Braiding Machine ? The Braiding Machine  has been indexed to rebrickable, check it !

Please note that on the rebrickable bill of material, there are few change in color to compare with the bill of material of the instructions :

• white parts is grey
• Liftarm 1x15L in green lime is set to white
• Tan pin joiner round is grey

This is for enabling a better color match with the most widespread parts. It is not a visible change in the construction, you can of course choose the color you want depending of the availability on the market and your own collection.

Pro-Instructions

You can buy the instructions with the following button for 10€. 

Set Up

The set up is not complicated, you have to pay attention to use the lime holder for having the pallet straight and then put the chain (easy) and then remove after this step. Of course the two pallet has to be on the same horizontal value.

And then after building the machine, run it slowly (in correct order as shown in the video) to set up the synchronization between the pallet and moving oscillator. For that, the passing axle must not move before the reel is closed to it and then move to pass the reel on other side. When the pallet is face to face, the moving axle have to pass the reel around 5 or 10mm after the center. For that, run slowly and if :

• the reel is not taken by the axle : move the chain about 1 tooth in one way
• the reel is not pass correctly or block or other pallet : move the chain about 1 tooth in other way

Repeat until it works smooth and the reel do not block (this is not very complicated, just some time needed).

Free Photo Sequence Instructions

The photo sequence have been taken in correct order, don’t forget to check the correct positioning of pallet using the lime holder and set up after the synchronization between the moving oscillator and pallet.

You can also download as ZIP archive of picture :Braiding Machine Free instructions ZIP (6mo)