Tech Spotlight: Big Braider Installed at MSU

An innovative large-scale braider and traverse system designed and built by Gallagher Custom Machines & Automation was recently installed at the Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC) at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Weighing in at over 50,000 pounds, with an outer diameter of 27 feet, the 144-carrier braider and related components filled three semi-trailer trucks for shipment from Gallagher’s Massachusetts facility to JVIC. It is the largest braiding system built by Gallagher in the company’s 25-year history.

“Everything about this project was big,” said Jim Gallagher, company founder and president. “It was a challenge, but it worked out very well. The project gave us the opportunity to utilize our machine building experience and to expand our capabilities. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the team at JVIC on this project.”

After a 6-month design and development phase, which included building a full-scale prototype section of the braider to test and validate the design, 15 engineers and machinists at Gallagher fabricated every machined component of the large braiding system, as well as the electrical and control systems.

The braiding system was installed in the new composite braider facility at JVIC. Funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the braider’s first application will be to develop a new prepreg braiding method for fabricating composite parts for aerospace applications.

JVIC is a unique university-private sector research, development, and commercialization model that focuses on product development, research, and educational opportunities. The facility focuses on collaboration with affiliates on new technologies and accelerating them to viable markets.