Bally Ribbon Mills to showcase 3-D weaving and thermal protection systems at JEC World 2026
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), a long-established specialist in engineered woven fabrics, will present its latest 3-D weaving technologies at JEC World 2026. The event will take place from March 10–12, 2026, at Paris-Nord Villepinte in France, where BRM will be exhibiting at Booth 6K104.
At the show, BRM will focus on three core areas of its woven composite expertise: film-infused 3-D woven joints, woven thermal protection systems (TPS), and advanced 2-D and 3-D composite structures, including near net-shape components. These solutions are widely used in aerospace programs where performance, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency are critical.
One of the key technologies on display will be BRM’s film infusion process for 3-D woven joints. In this process, a frozen sheet or film of resin is infused directly onto a custom 3-D woven structure. The result is a fully prepared assembly that ships ready for use. By delivering joints with the resin already infused, BRM helps customers maintain consistent quality while avoiding the cost and complexity of handling resin infusion in-house.
BRM’s continuous 3-D weaving capabilities allow the company to produce complex structural forms such as Pi (π), double-T, H-shapes, and other multi-axis geometries. These woven joints are designed to balance strength, durability, and structural integrity. They are commonly used in aerospace airframes, particularly in stiffeners, joints, and other load-bearing subassemblies where traditional laminated approaches can add weight or require additional assembly steps.
Visitors to the booth will also be able to see lightweight 3-D woven fabrics developed for thermal protection systems used in atmospheric re-entry. BRM has applied advanced weaving methods to create multifunctional TPS materials that manage extreme heat while maintaining structural stability. A key example is the 3DMAT Quartz Material, a 3-D orthogonally woven structure developed in collaboration with NASA for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.
The 3DMAT Quartz Material is used in heat shield components and compression pads that protect spacecraft during re-entry, when temperatures reach their highest levels. Its performance and design have been formally recognized, earning the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year award. At JEC World, BRM will highlight how this material is woven and how it functions within real spacecraft systems.
Alongside aerospace-focused solutions, BRM will display a range of lightweight and cost-effective 2-D and 3-D composite textiles. Using multi-dimensional continuous weaving, these textiles can be produced as near net-shape structures. This approach reduces material waste and minimizes the need for secondary machining, trimming, or assembly.
By weaving complex shapes directly into the fabric architecture, BRM helps customers lower part counts, reduce manufacturing time, and manage overall program costs. These advantages are especially relevant for industries seeking high-performance composites without adding unnecessary production steps.
Through its presence at JEC World 2026, Bally Ribbon Mills will offer visitors a closer look at how advanced weaving techniques are being applied to real aerospace challenges, from structural joints to thermal protection systems, all grounded in practical manufacturing needs and proven applications.
