Process and apparatus for laying fiber bands of filaments

Process and apparatus for laying fiber bands of filaments by changeably moveable weft or diagonal layers to form fiber arrangements stretched in different laying directions between two transport chains having guide hooks and retainer needles. Fiber bands are spread individually, guided by guide elements for forming a direction change fold, such that strands of each direction change fold are fixed in gaps between guide hooks. Apexes of direction change folds spread out by the guide elements execute racking and are hanged and fixed in a row of densely arranged retainer needles. Upper strands of direction change folds forming between retainer needles and guide elements of weft or diagonal layers are spread horizontally and guided under tension by a stitch spreader moved from outside inwards. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.