Braiding, winding or spiralizing machine and method for operating it

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a braiding, winding or spiralizing machine and a method for its operation.

[0002] Braiding machines, especially rotary braiding machines, can be used to produce hollow tubular braids from a strand material to be processed.

[0003] A strand material is understood to be an elongated, strand-like material, preferably available in almost any length. A strand of the strand material can consist of one or more individual strand material fibers. A strand material fiber can be, in particular but not exclusively, a wire, which may contain iron but is preferably made of non-ferrous metals, or a textile fiber, a carbon fiber, or another strand-like carbon material. A strand material fiber can thus be, in particular, a metal wire, a yarn, or a plastic fiber. The number of strand material fibers contained in a strand material is also referred to as the ply. A strand made up of 10 individual wires, for example, has a ply of 10.

[0004] One application for such hollow tubular braids is medical braids for vascular implants, such as stents or vascular prostheses.

[0005] Braiding machines can also be used to braid a strand-like material with a stranded material, for example, to braid a cable with a wire mesh. The strand-like material preferably has a cross-section essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which is essentially round.

[0006] The present invention relates to this second application of braiding machines for braiding a strand-like material.

[0007] Areas of application for braided strand-like materials produced in this way include, for example, electrical cables provided with shielding against electromagnetic fields, cables or hoses provided with protective sheaths against mechanical stress, or molded bodies braided with carbon fibers or other strand-like carbon materials, which may be removed again after the carbon material has hardened, for the production of low-mass components, particularly in lightweight construction.

[0008] During operation of a braiding machine, several strands of the strand material to be braided are wound in opposite directions at a specific angle around the strand material to be braided, crossing over in a specific pattern and thus interwoven with each other as the strand material continues to move. In this way, the desired braid is formed on the surface of the strand material. The braided strand material is preferably guided onto a disc with a circumferential groove in its end face, the so-called take-off disc, from which it is pulled out of the braiding machine.

[0009] This angle, the so-called braiding angle, is defined as the angle between a half-line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material and running counter to the direction of movement of the strand-like material, passing through the point where the strand material hits the strand-like material, and the strand material running onto the strand-like material. The braiding angle can, for example, have a value of 50 degrees.

[0010] Winding machines are similar in function to braiding machines, with the difference that the strands of the strand material to be processed are not woven together, but rather lie loosely on top of each other or on the strand material to be wrapped. Winding machines can apply one or more winding layers to the strand material to be wrapped.

[0011] Winding machines are used, for example, to produce cords or ropes, shielding for hoses or cables, or reinforcements for pressure hoses.

[0012] Spiralizing machines are largely similar in function to winding machines, with the strand material being processed preferably being plastically deformable and thus forming a self-supporting spiral when wound around the strand-like material to be wrapped. Spiralizing machines are used, for example, to sheath cables with copper wires or soft steel wires in the form of a coil.

[0013] All of the machines considered have in common that, during their operation, at least one strand of material is repeatedly guided around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, while the strand-like material is simultaneously moved essentially in the same direction along its longitudinal axis. In this way, the at least one strand of material takes on the shape of a spiral that wraps around the strand-like material.

[0014] The invention is described below using the example of a braiding machine for wire as the strand material to be braided and a cable as the strand material to be braided, i.e., for producing a cable surrounded by a wire braid. However, this is not a limitation; the invention can be used for a braiding, winding, or spiraling machine for braiding any strand material with any strand material.

[0015] Braiding machines of the type described are known from the prior art. For example, DE 21 62 170 A1 discloses a high-speed braiding machine for braiding strand-like material using a thread-like strand material in the form of wires or strips made of organic or inorganic material, using coil carriers that rotate counter to each other in two parallel planes.

[0016] JP S62 66922 A relates to a braiding machine and a braiding method, wherein the braiding angle of a reinforcing material braided around a strand-like material—for example, a fiber material or a metal wire braided around a rubber hose to increase its compressive strength—can be precisely regulated. The braiding angle should be kept constant so that the stability of the braided strand-like material, for example, the rubber hose, is not impaired.

[0017] When operating a braiding machine, the problem arises that the stranded material to be braided is not completely homogeneous in its quality due to defects or unavoidable tolerances during its production. In particular, the diameter of the stranded material, viewed along its length, is subject to fluctuations. "Diameter" always refers to a cross-section of the stranded material essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

[0018] One problem that can arise from a varying diameter of the strand-like material is an equally varying degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the strand material.

[0019] The degree of coverage (also referred to as "coverage coefficient") is defined as the ratio of the total surface area of ​​all strands facing radially outward relative to the strand material that cover the strand material in a specific section of the strand material to the surface area of ​​the strand material in that section. It is assumed that, if a strand material consists of several strand fibers, the individual strand fibers are laid side by side on the strand material without any spacing between them, so that the strand material, in its braided state, forms a "band" of a specific width on the surface of the strand material. The width of this band corresponds to the number of strand fibers in the strand material, i.e., the ply, multiplied by the diameter of the individual strand fibers.Furthermore, it is assumed that all strand fibers in a strand have the same diameter, in particular that they are even identical.

[0020] The degree of overlap defined in this way indicates how many strands of strand material in the finished product, i.e. the braided strand-like material, lie on top of each other on average at a certain point on its surface.

[0021] If necessary, only a certain portion of the braided strands can be considered for the coverage ratio. For example, in a braiding machine, the same number of spools, from which the strand-like material is unwound, generally rotate in opposite directions. For the coverage ratio, only the spools rotating in one of the two directions can then be considered, i.e., only half the total number of spools used and thus only half the total number of braided strands.

[0022] A coverage ratio of 1 means that, on average, the turns of the individual strands lie side by side on the surface of the braided strand material without gaps. A coverage ratio of 0.85, on the other hand, means that, on average, there are gaps between the turns of the individual strands in the braided strand material, the width of which corresponds to 0.15 times the width of a strand. A coverage ratio of 1.15, in turn, means that, on average, the turns of the individual strands overlap by 0.15 times their width in the braided strand material.

[0023] For a product to be manufactured, a certain degree of coverage is generally specified, which depends on the required mechanical, electrical, or other physical properties or on the required appearance of the desired product, such as its shielding properties or compressive strength. If the actual degree of coverage of the product is lower than the specified value, this may result in the required product properties and thus the required product quality not being achieved. If, on the other hand, the actual degree of coverage of the product is higher than the specified value, this can also lead to quality problems, but in particular to more strand-like material being used during production than necessary, thus increasing the manufacturing costs of the product.

[0024] However, state-of-the-art braiding machines do not allow for changes in the diameter of the stranded material during braiding. In particular, deviations in the degree of coverage of the braided stranded material compared to a specified degree of coverage must be accepted with state-of-the-art braiding machines.

[0025] The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine and a corresponding braiding, winding or spiraling machine in which changes in the diameter of the strand-like material can be taken into account.

[0026] This object is achieved by a method for operating a braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 1 or by a braiding, winding or spiraling machine according to claim 6. Advantageous developments of the invention are contained in the subclaims.

[0027] In the method according to the invention for operating a braiding, winding, or spiraling machine for braiding, winding, or spiraling a strand-like material, in particular a cable, with at least one strand of material made of at least one strand of material, in particular of at least one wire, the at least one strand of material is fastened to the strand-like material in a rotationally fixed manner at at least one point. The at least one strand of material is then repeatedly guided around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, and the strand-like material is simultaneously moved essentially in the same direction along its longitudinal axis. In this way, the at least one strand of material takes on the shape of a spiral leading around the strand-like material.

[0028] According to the invention, a diameter of a cross-section of the strand-like material is measured substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Depending on the measured diameter, a feed rate of the strand-like material and / or a rotational speed at which the at least one strand moves around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material are then controlled or regulated. The feed rate of the strand-like material is the speed at which the strand-like material is moved essentially in the same direction along its longitudinal axis.

[0029] The feed rate of the strand-like material and the rotational speed of at least one strand of strand material have proven to be the most suitable operating parameters of the braiding machine, by means of whose control or regulation changes in the diameter of the strand-like material can be suitably taken into account.

[0030] For example, if the diameter of the strand-like material increases, a greater length of strand must also be provided for a single rotation of the strand. This means that the reels from which the strand is unwound must also rotate faster. This can lead to problems if the unwinding speed of the strand from the reels becomes too high, potentially resulting in the strand breaking. In this case, the invention allows the feed rate of the strand-like material and / or the rotational speed of at least one strand to be reduced to such an extent that the risk of strand breakage is avoided.

[0031] According to the invention, a relative feed rate of the strand-like material is controlled or regulated as a function of the measured diameter of the cross-section of the strand-like material such that the degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one strand of strand material substantially corresponds to a predetermined value. This allows specified quality requirements for the product to be manufactured to be met, while at the same time, no more strand material is consumed than necessary.

[0032] The relative feed rate of the strand-like material is defined as the distance the strand-like material moves during one complete rotation of the at least one strand of strand material around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material. This distance is also referred to as the pitch or lay length.

[0033] The degree of coverage of the strand-like material by at least one strand of strand material has already been defined above.

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, the two drive speeds of the braiding machine are not controlled or regulated independently of each other, but only relative to each other, thereby achieving a specific relative feed rate of the strand-like material. This can be achieved, for example, by controlling or regulating both drive speeds to specific, predetermined values, the ratio of which results in the desired relative speed. The predetermined values ​​of the two drive speeds are preferably selected such that neither of the two drive speeds exceeds the respective permissible maximum speed.However, the desired relative speed can also be achieved by maintaining the current value of one of the two drive speeds and changing the value of the other drive speed until the ratio of the two drive speeds results in the desired relative speed.

[0035] This embodiment of the invention is based on the observation that the degree of coverage can be expressed precisely by the above-mentioned relative speed and the diameter of the strand-like material (as well as several constant factors).

[0036] This relationship is derived mathematically below. h is the relative feed rate of the strand-like material, D is the diameter of the strand-like material, k is the degree of coverage, f is the number of strand fibers in a strand (the ply), d is the diameter of a strand fiber, X is the number of strands to be considered for the degree of coverage, b is the width of the "band" formed by a strand, and S is the length of a section of a strand that forms one turn on the surface of the strand-like material.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 1 a "development" of the surface of the strand-like material 7 is considered on a section which has a length corresponding to the distance by which the strand-like material moves around the strand-like material 9 during one revolution of the strand, ie a rectangular development of the surface of the strand-like material (in Fig. 1heavily outlined) with height h, width π · D and thus area h · π D.

[0038] During operation of the braiding machine, a rectangular surface of a section of the "band" formed by a strand of material 9, with a width S and a height b and thus an area b S, is wound onto this rectangular unwinding of the strand-like material. The rectangular surface of the strand of material 9 does not lie exactly on the rectangular unwinding of the strand-like material, but rather the two rectangular surfaces overlap. However, these overlaps compensate for each other, so that the ratio defining the degree of overlap corresponds exactly to the ratio of the areas of the two rectangular surfaces.

[0039] The width S of the rectangular surface of the strand 9 forms the diagonal of the rectangular development of the strand-like material 7, ie according to the Pythagorean theorem: S = h 2 + πD 2 .

[0040] In Fig. 1 the width b of the band formed by the strand 9 is chosen to be just large enough so that the bands of successive revolutions connect to each other without gaps, ie the degree of overlap is given by Fig. 1 to k = 1.

[0041] As mentioned above, the width b of the band formed by the strand corresponds to the number of strand fibers in the strand multiplied by the diameter of the individual strand fibers (cf. Fig. 1 ), so b = f · d.

[0042] The degree of coverage is then the ratio of the two rectangular areas mentioned, multiplied by the number X of strands to be considered, ie k = X ⋅ b ⋅ S h ⋅ πD = X ⋅ f ⋅ d ⋅ h 2 + πD 2 h ⋅ πD .

[0043] If we solve this equation for h, we get: h = πD kπD fXd 2 − 1 or, by further transformation: h = 1 k fXd 2 − 1 πD 2 .

[0044] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the relationship just mentioned is used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material. The measured diameter D, the specified degree of overlap k, and the constants f, X, and d are known, from which the relative feed rate h of the strand-like material can be calculated and used as a target value for the control or regulation of the braiding machine. In this way, it is ensured—apart from errors in the measurement of the diameter D and the control or regulation of the relative feed rate h—that the finished product has the specified degree of overlap k.

[0045] From the second expression for h given above, it can also be seen that h decreases strictly monotonically with increasing D, ie when D increases, h decreases, and when D decreases, h increases.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the braiding angle defined above is additionally measured and used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material. The control or regulation of the relative feed rate of the strand-like material can be carried out in such a way that a target value for the braiding angle is determined and, by changing the relative feed rate while simultaneously measuring the braiding angle, the braiding angle is also changed until it reaches its target value.

[0047] In the following, α denotes the braiding angle. As can be seen Fig. 1 evident, the following applies: tan α = π D h and thus with the first expression for h given above: α = tan − 1 kπD fXd 2 − 1 .

[0048] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the relationship just mentioned is used to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material. The measured diameter D, the specified degree of overlap k, and the constants f, X, and d are known, from which the braiding angle α can be calculated and used as a target value for the control or regulation of the braiding machine. In this way, it is ensured—apart from errors in the measurement of the diameter D and the control or regulation of the relative feed rate h using the braiding angle α—that the finished product has the given degree of overlap k.

[0049] The invention further relates to a braiding, winding or spiraling machine which is designed to be operated according to a method according to the invention for braiding, winding or spiraling a strand-like material, in particular a cable, with at least one strand of material made of at least one strand of material, in particular of at least one wire, and which is designed to repeatedly guide the at least one strand of material around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material and to simultaneously move the strand-like material essentially in the direction of its longitudinal axis always in the same direction.

[0050] The braiding, winding or spiralizing machine according to the invention has a measuring device for a diameter of a cross section of the strand-like material substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and a control or regulating device for controlling or regulating a relative feed speed of the strand-like material, defined as a distance by which the strand-like material moves during one complete rotation of the at least one strand of strand material around the longitudinal axis of the strand-like material, as a function of this measured diameter such that the degree of coverage of the strand-like material by the at least one strand of strand material substantially corresponds to a predetermined value.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the braiding, winding or spiralizing machine according to the invention is designed to be operated according to a method according to the invention using the braiding angle to control or regulate the relative feed rate of the strand-like material, and for this purpose further comprises a measuring device for the braiding angle.

[0052] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures.

[0053] They show: Fig.1 : a sketch of a rectangular "unfolding" of the surface of the strand-like material; Fig. 2 : a schematic structure of a braiding machine of the type in question.

[0054] Fig. 1 has already been explained above.

[0055] Fig. 2shows the functional principle of a braiding machine 1 according to the invention using a schematic drawing.

[0056] The braiding machine 1 has a number, for example 8, 12 or 16, of upper braiding spools 2, on each of which an upper thread 9 (the so-called weft thread) is wound. The upper thread 9 can in particular be a textile thread, a wire, or a bundle of several such textile threads or wires. The upper braiding spools 2 are mounted on spool supports (not shown), which rotate separately from one another on gear wheels on a gear ring (both not shown) mounted on a lower spool table 4 and all rotate in the same direction, for example counterclockwise (indicated by the upper rotating arrow 17).

[0057] In addition, the braiding machine 1 has a number, for example also 8, 12, or 16, of lower braiding spools 3, on each of which a lower thread 10 (the so-called warp thread) is wound. The number of lower braiding spools 3 is preferably the same as the number of upper braiding spools 2. The lower thread 10 is preferably the same thread as the upper thread 9. The lower braiding spools 3 are mounted on a common lower spool table 4, which rotates in a direction opposite to the upper braiding spools 2, for example, clockwise (indicated by the lower circulating arrow 18).

[0058] The axis around which the upper braiding spools 2 and the lower braiding spools 3 rotate together, but in opposite directions, coincides with the so-called braiding axis 5. A cable 6—still unshielded here—is inserted into the braiding machine 1 from below along the braiding axis 5 and exits the braiding machine 1 again at the upper end.

[0059] The upper threads 9 running from the upper braiding spools 2 and the lower threads 10 running from the lower braiding spools 3 converge at the braiding point 8 on the braiding axis 5 and braid the unshielded cable 6 there, which is then drawn off at the upper end of the braiding machine 1 by a (not shown) draw-off disk as a shielded cable 7.

[0060] In order for the upper threads 9 and the lower threads 10 to cross over at the braiding point 8 and thereby be braided, the lower threads 10, which rotate with the lower braiding spools 3 in the opposite direction to the upper threads 9 with the upper braiding spools 2 around the braiding axis 5, are alternately guided over one or more adjacent upper braiding spools 2 and under one or more adjacent upper braiding spools 2, for example over or under two adjacent upper braiding spools 2. Each lower thread 10 dips into vertical slots in an upper inner housing 19 during its up and down movement.

[0061] The lower thread 10 runs over a roller at one end of a braiding lever 11 and, before passing an "oncoming" upper bobbin 2, is alternately lifted or depressed by the braiding lever 11, thus guiding it over or under the upper braiding bobbin 2. For this purpose, each lower thread 10 is assigned its own braiding lever 11, which is rotatable about a pivot bearing 12 attached to a bracket 13 connected to the lower bobbin table 4.

[0062] Each braiding lever 11 is controlled via a rod 14, the upper end of which is rotatably connected to the braiding lever 11 and the lower end of which runs in a fixed, circumferential curved path of a cam control 15. The wave shape of the curved path of the cam control 15 results in an up-and-down sliding movement of the rod 14 and thus in the desired up-and-down pivoting movement of the braiding lever 11, which is synchronized with the movement of the upper braiding spools 2. Alternatively, the braiding lever 11 can also be guided directly in the curved path of the cam control 15.

[0063] At any point along the braiding axis 5, where the cable 6 is not yet braided and thus not yet shielded, a diameter measuring device 16 is arranged, which measures the diameter of a cross-section of the cable 6 essentially perpendicular to the braiding axis 5. The diameter measurement is preferably carried out continuously, but can also be carried out periodically at a specific frequency.

[0064] The diameter is measured using a suitable measuring device, preferably mechanical, such as two spring-mounted rollers that are pressed against the cable 6 from the outside on two opposite sides. The distance between the two rollers and thus the diameter of the cable 6 can be determined, for example, via the spring tension with which the two rollers are pressed apart, or by an optical or other measuring displacement sensor. More preferably, the diameter can also be measured purely optically, such as by means of a laser sensor, or alternatively by means of a camera that continuously films the cable 6 passing through, and whose camera images are evaluated.

[0065] In addition, the braiding machine 1 can also have a measuring device (not shown) for the braiding angle α.

[0066] The method according to the invention is preferably stored in the form of control software in a control device of the braiding machine 1. At the start of operation, the operator of the braiding machine 1 enters a target value for the degree of coverage k into the control system. The diameter D of the cable 6 can also be entered into the control system as a target value. Alternatively, the measured diameter D can also be transferred to the control system.

[0067] From this - preferably using the mathematical relationship given above - a target value h Soll for the relative feed speed h of the cable 6 is calculated, i.e. the distance by which the cable 6 moves during one complete rotation of the upper braiding spools 2 or the lower braiding spools 3 around the braiding axis 5. From the target value h Soll, a target value v Soll,1 for the speed of rotation of the upper braiding spools 2 or the lower braiding spools 3 around the braiding axis 5 and a target value v Soll,2 for the pay-off speed of the braided, shielded cable 7 are determined. To do this, v Soll,1 is preferably first set to the maximum permissible speed and then v Soll,2 = h Soll · v Soll,1 , so that the following applies: h Soll = v Soll,2 / v Soll,1 . If v Soll,2 then exceeds the maximum permissible take-off speed, both v Soll,1 and v Soll,2 are reduced in the same ratio until v Soll,2 is also within the permissible range.

[0068] The values ​​thus determined for v Soll,1 and v Soll,2 are transferred to the respective controller as setpoints for the rotational speed of the braiding spools 2, 3 and the take-off speed, respectively. The respective controller then controls or regulates the rotational speed or the take-off speed to the value v Soll,1 or v Soll,2 . This ensures that the braided cable 7 essentially has the specified coverage ratio k.

[0069] If the braiding machine 1 has a measuring device for the braiding angle α, a target value α target for the braiding angle α can be calculated—preferably using the mathematical relationship specified above. Then, for example, at a constant pay-off speed of the braided cable 7, the rotational speed of the braiding spools 2, 3 can be changed and the braiding angle α can be measured simultaneously until the braiding angle α has reached the target value α target. This also ensures that the braided cable 7 essentially has the specified degree of coverage k. List of reference symbols

[0070] 1 Braiding machine 2 Upper braiding spool 3 Lower braiding spool 4 Lower spool table 5 Braiding axis 6 Unshielded cable 7 Shielded cable 8 Braiding point 9 Upper thread (weft thread) 10 Lower thread (warp thread) 11 Braiding lever 12 Braiding lever pivot bearing 13 Braiding lever bracket 14 Braiding lever control rod 15 Cam control for the braiding levers 16 Diameter measuring device 17 Rotation direction of the upper braiding spools 18 Rotation direction of the lower braiding spools 19 Upper inner housing 20 Lower inner housing

Claims

1. Method for operating a braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) for braiding, winding or spiralising a strand-shaped material (6) with at least one strand (9, 10) of at least one strand fibre, wherein the at least one strand (9, 10) is fastened to the strand-shaped material (6) at at least one point in a rotationally fixed manner, the at least one strand (9, 10) is repeatedly guided around the longitudinal axis of the strand-shaped material (6) and the strand-shaped material (6) is simultaneously moved always in the same direction substantially in the direction of its longitudinal axis (5), so that the at least one strand (9, 10) assumes the shape of a spiral running around the strand-shaped material (6), wherein a diameter (D) of a cross-section of the strand-shaped material (6) is measured substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) thereof and a feeding speed of the strand-shaped material (6) and / or a rotational speed at which the at least one strand (9, 10) moves around the longitudinal axis (5) of the strand-shaped material (6) are controlled or regulated as a function of this measured diameter (D), characterised in that a relative feeding speed (h) of the strand-shaped material (6), defined as a distance by which the strand-shaped material (6) moves during a complete rotation of the at least one strand (9, 10) about the longitudinal axis (5) of the strand-shaped material (6), is controlled or regulated as a function of the measured diameter (D) of the cross-section of the strand-shaped material (6) in such a way that a degree of coverage (k) of the strand-shaped material (6) by the at least one strand (9, 10), defined as a ratio of the total surface area pointing radially outwards with respect to the strand-shaped material (6) of all strands (9, 10) which cover the strand-shaped material (6) in a specific section of the strand-shaped material (6) to the surface area of the strand-shaped material (6) in this section, substantially corresponds to a predetermined value.

2. Method for operating a braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the strand-shaped material (6) is a cable and / or that the strand fibre is a wire.

3. Method for operating a braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for controlling or regulating the relative feeding speed (h) of the strand-shaped material (6), the relationship h = 1 k fXd 2 − 1 πD 2 is used, where h is the relative feeding speed of the strand-shaped material (6), D is the diameter of a cross-section of the strand-shaped material (6) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) thereof, k is the degree of coverage of the strand-shaped material (6) by the at least one strand (9, 10), f is the number of strand fibres in the at least one strand (9, 10), d is the diameter of a cross-section of a strand fibre substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof and X is the number of strands (9, 10) taken into account for the degree of coverage.

4. Method for operating a braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a braiding angle (α), defined as an angle between a half-line parallel to the longitudinal axis (5) of the strand-shaped material (6) and running opposite to the direction of movement of the strand-shaped material (6) through the point of contact of the at least one strand (9, 10) and the strand-shaped material (6) and the at least one strand (9, 10) running onto the strand-shaped material (6), is measured and used to control or regulate the relative feeding speed (h) of the strand-shaped material (6).

5. Method for operating a braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that, for controlling or regulating the relative feeding speed (h) of the strand-shaped material (6) using the braiding angle (α), the relationship α = tan − 1 kπD fXd 2 − 1 is used, where α is the braiding angle, D is the diameter of a cross-section of the strand-shaped material (6) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) thereof, k is the degree of coverage of the strand-shaped material (6) by the at least one strand (9, 10), f is the number of strand fibres in the at least one strand (9, 10), d is the diameter of a cross-section of a strand fibre substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof and X is the number of strands taken into account for the degree of coverage (9, 10).

6. Braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) which is adapted to be operated according to a method for braiding, winding or spiralising, respectively, at least one strand (9, 10) of at least one strand fibre around a strand-shaped material (6) according to one of the preceding claims and which is adapted to repeatedly guide the at least one strand (9, 10) around the longitudinal axis (5) of the strand-shaped material (6) and to simultaneously move the strand-shaped material (6) substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis (5) thereof always in the same direction, characterised by a measuring device (16) for a diameter (D) of a cross-section of the strand-shaped material (6) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (5) thereof and a control or regulating device for controlling or regulating a relative feeding speed (h) of the strand-shaped material (6), defined as a distance by which the strand-shaped material (6) moves during a complete rotation of the at least one strand (9, 10) about the longitudinal axis (5) of the strand-shaped material (6), as a function of this measured diameter (D) in such a way that the degree of coverage (k) of the strand-shaped material (6) by the at least one strand (9, 10) substantially corresponds to a predetermined value.

7. Braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the strand-shaped material (6) is a cable and / or that the strand fibre is a wire.

8. Braiding, winding or spiralising machine (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised by a measuring device for the braiding angle (α).