Apparatus for production of a three-dimensional fabric

Abstract

An apparatus for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section. A lock yarn is inserted into each loop along a direction where the yarn inserting needles are arranged. The lock yarn is tightened by pulling back the yarn inserting needles while pressing members press the fiber layers from opposing sides of the fiber layers near the yarn inserting needles after the lock yarn is inserted into each loop. The fiber layers are removed from the frame after the inserting of the connection yarn is terminated.