also be provided on braiding elements 36 a top section of each former element is narrowed slightly so that channels 63 are defined between each adjacent former element slots 64 are cut through frame 52 in line with channels 63 to define a continuous trough as shown in fig2 each beater comb assembly includes a comb 66 39 which terminates in a sloped surface 68 beater drive 32 moves each of the beater combs 66 in a reciprocating motion thereby moving the combs longitudinally through the troughs described above each of the former elements is provided with a vertical through hole 70 shown in fig4 the apparatus described above operates as follows fibers 72 72 39 are paid off continuously from reels 38 and pass upwards through through holes 70 of former elements 54 first and second acd 39 s 24 and 26 move the brading elements 36 and 54 in synchronized paths thereby braiding the fibers into the fabric 74 the fabric is completely formed at point 76 and passes through a plate 78 on its way to a take up device 80 preferably after all braiding and forming the elements have completed a step in the x direction the beater combs 66 for the y direction are introduced into the troughs formed on the top of the former elements and pushed through to beat the yarns upward to the fabric formation point this process insures that the fabric is formed compactly and evenly the beater combs 66 39 for the x direction are moved similarly after all the elements complete a step.