Design of a Machine to Test & Improving a Geometry-based Braid Modeling System

This presentation explores the process of a project taken on to critique and improve several accepted circular braid models. In particular, the project was designed to facilitate testing of the simple braid-point model put forward by Isaac \textit{et. al. }in 2016, as well as the testing of altered versions of the model, likely including a version with a Taylor's Expansion elasticity factor. To this end, an adjustable braiding machine was designed using an inexpensive, single-mode maypole braider. The possibility of creating similar research machines within a low-dollar budget (rather than buying a fully adjustable braider) could prove extremely useful for allowing widespread testing and research in circular braiding.