Ring Mesh Braiding Workshop

In the summer term students from the IAK explored the possibilities of creating interwoven ring meshes from a range of different materials. On the 08.07.21 a public workshop was held on Hagenmarkt, with developer Burkhard Schmeling.

Ring meshes are made by interweaving closed flexible rings in a range of different patterns, they stay together without being additionally secured and can be joined to create any size mat or closed structures. The resulting braided shape can be disassembled back into its individual parts at the end, meaning this technique offers great potential for the sustainable use of resources.

The developer Burkhard Schmeling has been researching practical uses for such techniques for nearly 20 years. He has developed an energy-efficient process of reducing old car tyres to flat rings, minimising the space needed to transport and store them. Rubber rings manufactured as car tyres are only used for that purpose for a few short years of their 1000-year lifespan and retain the essential properties of the tyre throughout that lifespan: grip, tensile strength, robustness and elasticity. When interwoven they can be used to pave construction access roads, as dams to protect against flooding, to strengthen and fix hillsides to cover surfaces and form solid structures. The rubber structure, as well as the steel and cord inlays, are suitable for use as shock absorbers, seals and as a general lightweight material.

The workshop provided an overview of the different applications and the members of the public that took part were able to experiment braiding with a range of different materials (e.g. fire hoses, bicycle inner tubes, truck tarpaulins and car tyres). The participants all worked together and also reflected on the sustainable use of used tires and the potential of used resources in general.