Braided structure forming method

A method of forming a structure of braided material, comprising:

• defining a first axis and a second axis, the first and second axes being substantially mutually perpendicular,
• defining a first direction and a second direction along the first axis, the first and second directions being substantially opposite,
• providing a mandrel having an axis and a first, second and third section and defining a mandrel joint,
• positioning the mandrel so that the mandrel axis is substantially aligned with the first axis,
• moving the mandrel along the first axis in the first direction at a first speed,
• braiding at least a portion of the first section of the mandrel at a braiding zone,
• changing the speed at which the mandrel moves in the first direction to a second speed as the braiding zone approaches the mandrel joint,
• rotating the mandrel about the mandrel joint until the mandrel axis and the first axis form a first angle,
• stopping braiding of the first section when the mandrel axis and the first axis form the first angle,
• rotating the mandrel about the mandrel joint until the mandrel axis and the first axis are substantially perpendicular,
• stopping movement of the mandrel in the first direction when the mandrel axis and the first axis are substantially perpendicular,
• braiding at least a portion of the third section of the mandrel,
• moving the mandrel in the first direction at the second speed, and
• changing the speed at which the mandrel moves in the first direction to the first speed, wherein the third section of the mandrel defines an end and further comprising the step of:
• rotating the mandrel about the second axis by a second angle when the braiding zone is substantially adjacent the end of the third section.