Automatic Braiding Machines Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Vertical Braiders,Horizontal Braiders), By Application (Textile and Sporting,Industrial,Automotive,Medical,Aerospace,Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

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Automatic Braiding Machines Market Overview

The Automatic Braiding Machines Market size was valued at USD 502.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 662.61 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2033.

The automatic braiding machines market is experiencing notable advancements in mechanical precision, smart programming interfaces, and high-volume production capacity. These machines are engineered to interlace three or more strands of yarn, wire, or other materials into a complex structure, operating at speeds over 300 RPM with precision tolerances under 0.05 mm. In 2024, over 45,000 units of automatic braiding machines were actively deployed in industries including automotive, medical textiles, aerospace, and industrial equipment.

A surge in demand from the electrical and electronics cable manufacturing segment has led to the integration of programmable logic controllers (PLC) in over 70% of newly manufactured machines. Countries like Germany, Japan, and China are leading production hubs, together accounting for more than 62% of global unit output. Adoption of advanced vertical and horizontal braiders is prominent in manufacturing braided shielding for cables, textile sleeves, and high-performance ropes.

The integration of sensor technologies and predictive maintenance systems has improved operational efficiency by up to 18%. The increasing demand for high-strength composite reinforcement has seen automatic braiding machines utilized in the production of thermoplastic reinforcements with braiding angles under 45°, enhancing structural rigidity. Automation has reduced manual labor by 60% across major braiding operations, contributing to a shift toward lean manufacturing setups globally.

Key Findings

DRIVER: High-volume demand for braided reinforcements in automotive wiring harnesses and aerospace components.

COUNTRY/REGION: China leads the market in both production and consumption with more than 19,000 operational units installed by 2024.

SEGMENT: Vertical braiders dominate with over 58% share in application across industrial and automotive sectors.

Automatic Braiding Machines Market Trends

The automatic braiding machines market is seeing an evolution in smart manufacturing, with AI-enhanced process controls being integrated into more than 35% of machines delivered post-2023. In industries like aerospace and advanced composites, the need for complex braiding architectures has increased deployment of multi-carrier braiding machines with capabilities to handle 144 carriers or more. The application of carbon fiber braiding for high-performance structures has increased significantly, with over 4,500 machines globally focused on carbon-based materials. Another major trend involves digital twin technology being implemented for simulation-based monitoring, currently adopted in 12% of industrial installations. These systems enhance process predictability, reducing setup times by 20% and minimizing material waste by 14%. Additionally, the rising focus on energy efficiency has led manufacturers to incorporate regenerative braking systems in more than 20% of new machine models. The textile and medical sectors are also utilizing automatic braiding machines for producing antimicrobial and biocompatible braided structures. Machine models with a diameter range from 3 mm to 75 mm now account for 65% of the demand, reflecting a shift towards diversified application scopes. Hybrid machines, capable of switching between horizontal and vertical configurations, are gaining attention with over 600 units installed in the past 18 months.

Automatic Braiding Machines Market Dynamics

The dynamics of the automatic braiding machines market are shaped by a combination of technological advancements, sector-specific demand, operational limitations, and structural integration challenges. Automation is driving widespread adoption across industries, enabling high-speed production with reduced manual input and consistent output precision under 0.05 mm. Increasing demand from the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors is pushing manufacturers to adopt programmable and multi-carrier machines capable of handling complex braiding patterns.

DRIVER

Rising automation in advanced manufacturing

Automation in manufacturing is a major growth driver, particularly in wire harnessing for automotive and aerospace. With more than 83 million vehicles produced globally in 2023, the integration of braided wire shielding and tubing saw a 14% rise in demand. Automatic braiding machines reduce operational costs by up to 30% and increase production throughput, which has led to their preference over traditional methods. In medical textiles, catheter sheathing and braided stents are now commonly fabricated with high-speed machines that achieve production rates of 500–800 picks per minute.

RESTRAINT

High maintenance and calibration complexity

Despite their efficiency, automatic braiding machines face challenges in complex calibration and maintenance. Machines with more than 96 carriers require over 6 hours of calibration time for precision alignment. Operators must undergo extensive training, which adds to operational overhead. In developing regions, maintenance downtimes can extend up to 48 hours due to a lack of skilled technicians and spare part availability. Additionally, replacement of hardened carrier gears costs over USD 500 per unit, adding to lifecycle costs.

OPPORTUNITY

Adoption in composite and medical applications

There is growing opportunity for automatic braiding machines in advanced composites and biomedical sectors. With over 1,200 new aircraft ordered globally in 2024, braided composite reinforcements are now used in wing spars and engine nacelles. Medical applications have seen a 9% increase in braided catheter demand, particularly for interventional cardiology and neurology. Machines with sterile material feeding systems and titanium-compatible tooling are entering commercial production, expanding the use-case scope.

CHALLENGE

Integration into legacy systems

A major challenge is the integration of modern automatic braiding machines into legacy production lines. Over 40% of existing manufacturing units operate with outdated infrastructure incompatible with Industry 4.0 systems. Integrating smart controllers with MES/ERP systems requires custom protocols and results in synchronization issues, particularly in batch production environments. Moreover, power grid inconsistencies in regions like Southeast Asia impact servo motor performance, affecting synchronization in multi-carrier machines.

Automatic Braiding Machines Market Segmentation

The automatic braiding machines market is segmented by type and application. Two major types are vertical braiders and horizontal braiders, while key applications include textiles, industrial products, automotive wiring, medical devices, aerospace parts, and others.

By Type

• Vertical Braiders: Vertical braiders account for over 58% of machine installations, favored for their smaller footprint and high-speed operation. These machines typically support 16 to 96 carriers and are ideal for circular braiding tasks such as hose coverings, electrical shielding, and cable reinforcements. In 2024, approximately 27,000 vertical braiders were in use globally, with 6,300 newly shipped units featuring advanced digital interfaces.
• Horizontal Braiders: Horizontal braiders are preferred for larger diameter structures and flat braided goods, contributing around 42% of market demand. These machines accommodate heavier materials like carbon and aramid fibers, with load capacities reaching 300 kg per spool. Over 8,000 horizontal machines were deployed in 2023, especially in the US, Germany, and Japan for use in composite fabric production and wide-tape braiding.

By Application

• Textile and Sporting: More than 18,000 machines are engaged in fabric braiding for shoelaces, cords, and ropes. Sporting goods such as climbing ropes, fishing lines, and racquet strings have witnessed rising demand, resulting in a 13% YOY machine procurement spike in this segment.
• Industrial: Industrial usage accounts for around 25% of demand, especially for manufacturing hydraulic hose coverings, sleeving for wiring, and reinforcement of flexible tubing.
• Automotive: Over 10,000 machines are used in producing wire harness protection, fuel lines, and tubing covers. Lightweight braided reinforcements for EVs are expanding market penetration.
• Medical: Approximately 2,400 machines are dedicated to producing braided medical tubing, catheters, and surgical cords. Biocompatibility is ensured with PTFE and PEEK braiding options.
• Aerospace: Aerospace applications are growing with 6% annual machine adoption increase. Braided thermoplastics are being used in fuselage, wing structures, and lightweight bracing.
• Others: Miscellaneous applications include braiding for packaging strings, decorative cords, and special-purpose equipment such as fire-resistant cables and armored cables.

Regional Outlook for the Automatic Braiding Machines Market

The regional outlook for the automatic braiding machines market highlights strong adoption trends across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East & Africa, each driven by sector-specific demands and manufacturing capabilities. Asia-Pacific leads the market in terms of production volume and installed base, with China accounting for over 19,000 active units, driven by its dominance in cable manufacturing and textile applications. Japan and India are also emerging as key contributors, with India showing a 14% year-on-year increase in installations due to its expanding automotive and industrial base.

• North America

The North American market accounts for over 9,000 machines, primarily concentrated in the United States. Key states such as Michigan, Ohio, and California are hubs for automotive and aerospace-grade braiding applications. Over 300 new machines were installed in 2023 for electric vehicle wiring and composite reinforcement. Demand is being driven by increasing investment in EVs and defense sectors, with the U.S. Navy adopting braided composite materials in submarine structures.

• Europe

Europe maintains a robust manufacturing base, with Germany, France, and Italy deploying over 11,000 units combined. Germany alone accounts for nearly 5,000 units across sectors such as cable manufacturing, industrial tubing, and high-performance fabrics. EU energy standards have pushed manufacturers to shift towards energy-efficient braiding systems with 30% lower power consumption, contributing to over 700 eco-efficient units being introduced since 2023.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific leads in production volume, with more than 23,000 machines in active use. China is the largest contributor, with 19,000+ machines, followed by Japan and India. India is witnessing rapid growth, with a 14% rise in installations year-on-year, mainly driven by textile and automotive sectors. Taiwan and South Korea are also major exporters of braiding machine components, supplying to over 45 countries.

• Middle East & Africa

Although smaller in scale, the Middle East and Africa regions have seen growth in industrial and energy sector applications. Around 1,400 machines were deployed as of 2024, with the UAE and South Africa accounting for over 70% of the regional share. Applications include oil and gas hose reinforcement and renewable energy cable production.

List of Top Automatic Braiding Machines Companies

• M.A.
• VP
• SUNGIL Ind
• Mayer & Cie
• HERZOG
• Steeger
• Magnatech International
• Talleres Ratera
• KARG
• Wilms
• Changchun Huibang
• Xuzhou Henghui
• Shanghai Xianghai
• OMEC
• Yitai Technology
• Shanghai Nanyang
• GURFIL
• KOKUBUN
• Kyang Yhe Delicate
• HC Taiwan
• Lorenzato
• Braidwell Machine
• Cobra Braiding Machinery
• Geesons International
• Bhupendra & Brothers

HERZOG: HERZOG accounts for approximately 22% of the global automatic braiding machines market share. The company has over 9,500 machines installed worldwide and operates across 65+ countries with a strong focus on energy-efficient and high-speed solutions for industrial and medical applications.

Steeger: Steeger USA dominates the medical braiding equipment segment with over 3,800 machines installed globally. Its systems are widely used for catheter manufacturing and micro-braiding applications, offering precision down to 0.02 mm wire diameter and high-speed operations up to 800 picks per minute.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in the automatic braiding machines market is being spurred by the growing demand for automation and Industry 4.0 integration. Between 2023 and 2024, over USD 120 million was allocated globally toward R&D for next-generation braiders, with focus on AI-driven diagnostics and digital control systems. Germany’s industrial R&D expenditure supported the development of programmable braiders capable of handling up to 288 spools, providing new capability in composite manufacturing. China’s local governments in provinces like Jiangsu and Zhejiang subsidized nearly 1,200 machine acquisitions across 360 companies under smart manufacturing initiatives. In North America, over 70 SMEs received funding under advanced manufacturing grants for upskilling and modernization involving automatic braiding units. Medical firms in the U.S. and Israel are also investing in sterile environment-compatible braiding technologies, opening opportunities for niche suppliers. Aerospace remains one of the most lucrative segments, as Airbus and Boeing ramp up the use of braided composite airframe elements. Investments into hybrid braiding machines that merge horizontal and vertical braiding are gaining traction. These systems can adjust carrier paths dynamically, reducing tool changeover time by 50% and improving ROI for large-scale manufacturers. Over 900 hybrid units were introduced globally between Q1 2023 and Q2 2024.

New Product Development

Recent innovations include the integration of PLC-HMI touchscreen controls, adaptive tension systems, and AI-based load balancing. HERZOG launched its HVR-160 series with automatic spindle synchronization and error detection in real time. These machines cut operational errors by 32% and offer remote diagnostics through IoT integration. VP Braiding introduced a carbon-fiber-specific machine with real-time fiber density calibration, crucial for aerospace-grade component production. The unit maintains ±1% fiber density tolerance across 96 carriers. KARG has developed modular platforms for large-diameter braiding over 120 mm, supporting wide composite sleeves for power infrastructure and heavy equipment. Changchun Huibang added vibration dampening systems and improved thermal stability modules to its industrial series, allowing operations in high-humidity and high-temperature settings up to 45°C. In 2023, OMEC presented the OBM-950, a versatile vertical-horizontal hybrid model, which received 180 commercial orders across Asia-Pacific within six months of launch.

Five Recent Developments

• HERZOG launched its HVR-160 machine in March 2024, increasing braiding speed by 20% and reducing downtime by 28%.
• Steeger USA introduced micro-braiding solutions for 0.02 mm diameter wire in February 2023, serving neurovascular applications.
• Shanghai Xianghai installed 450 units for cable manufacturers in Guangdong between July 2023 and February 2024.
• Bhupendra & Brothers began exports to South America, increasing machine exports by 35% in Q3 2023.
• Geesons International integrated AI fault detection into their BraidMaster Pro line, launched in August 2023.

Report Coverage of Automatic Braiding Machines Market

This report provides a detailed examination of the global automatic braiding machines market across machine types, applications, and regions. It includes data on unit installations, application-specific performance, regional market dynamics, and manufacturing trends. The report tracks over 40 market players, focusing on both established OEMs and emerging SMEs that contribute to innovation and supply chain expansion. Coverage includes analysis of product developments, emerging application domains, and operational benchmarking across machine types. It incorporates installation base statistics, segment-specific usage trends, adoption of automation technologies, and challenges faced by operators. Key insights into retrofit opportunities, machine upgrade cycles, and spares and service ecosystems are also included. The report also captures growth patterns from 2020 to 2024, with projections based on unit volume, product innovation, and regional adoption. In-depth focus is given to aerospace, automotive, and medical applications, identifying supply gaps and investment priorities. The scope extends to value-added features like smart diagnostics, energy savings, and multi-material handling, shaping the future demand landscape for automatic braiding machines.

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