A weaving loom is originally called a weaving machine for it is a mechanism that helps to weave tapestry and cloth on the basic function of holding the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads but varies from the precise shape of each loom. A weaving loom is a tool that helps to create fabric and is diversified into many different types according to the own fabric feature produced by each weaving loom, such as jacquard weaving loom, ordinary weaving loom, and shuttleless weaving loom.
Weaving is an ancient craft that has been around for centuries. It is a process of interlacing two sets of yarn or thread to create a fabric. The word loom comes from the old English word "geloma", which means "tool”. Generally, the main structure of a weaving loom is a warp beam, heddles, harnesses or shafts, shuttles, reed, and take-up roll, for completing the corresponding movements of the weaving process.
3 Summarized Motions
1. Shedding Mechanism
It is a part for raising the warp yarns to form a shed by dividing the yarns into an upper layer and lower layer, that is, to form a vertical space between the raised and additional warp yarns, for the filling yarn that is carried by the shuttle, can be inserted into this space, forming the weft. It is also called a harness on a modern weaving machine because the simple or intricate shedding operations can be performed automatically by a heddle or heald frame. The shedding mechanism normally is a rectangular frame attached by a series of wires that are called healds.
Yarns are passed through the holes of the healds that hang vertically from the harnesses. The weaving patterns determine how the harness controls the warp yarns and sometimes the more complicated a weaving pattern is, the more harnesses are used when weaving. Jacquard heald and dobbies are the 2 main methods of controlling heddles.
2. Picking Motion
The filling yarn is inserted through the shed that is formed by raising wrap yarns by a tiny carrier device called a shuttle. It is pointed at each end for filling yarns passing through the shed. The picking motion normally happens in the weaving process of a traditional weaving loom, for the filling yarn is wound onto a quill which is mounted in the shuttle. The filling yarn is inserted through a hole in the shuttle as it moves to cross the weaving loom. While a single crossing of the shuttle from one side to the other is known as a picking motion.
3. Beat-up Mechanism
There are mainly two types of beat-up mechanisms: the first one is called crank beating-up motion. It is to use the crank and connecting rod to drive forward and backward movements of a sley to complete the beat-up motion. The other one is known as the conjugate cam mechanism, which is to drive the sley seat by the conjugate cam performing a beat-up motion by moving back and forth and the cam can be designed to control the resting time of the sley at the rear, which is suitable for weft insertion and beating up motions. After the shuttle moves across the loom laying down the fill yarn, the weaver uses the reed to press (or batten) each filling yarn against the fell.
Shuttleless Looms
Shuttleless looms are a type of weaving loom that does not require a shuttle to weave the fabric. These looms are typically faster and more efficient than traditional shuttle looms. Shuttleless looms are faster and more efficient than traditional shuttle looms. They can weave fabric at a rate of up to 1,000 yards per minute, which is twice as fast as a shuttle loom. Shuttleless looms also require less operator intervention, which reduces labor costs. In addition, these looms produce less waste and have fewer moving parts, which results in lower maintenance costs.
Conclusion
Weaving is a fun and rewarding hobby that anyone can learn. A weaving loom is a great tool to help you get started, and with a little practice, you'll be churning out beautiful fabrics in no time. Whether you want to make clothing, home decor, or something else entirely, weaving is a great way to express your creativity. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try today!