Abstract: This disclosure relates to a rapier weaving machine, which includes an insert rapier head for inserting a weft yarn into a fabric, a receiver rapier head for receiving and holding the weft yarn and subsequently pulling the weft yarn out of the fabric in a movement direction, an opening element for opening the receiver rapier head in order to release the weft yarn, and a guiding device, positioned on the side of the receiver rapier head opposite the opening element, and comprising a guiding block for adjusting the movement direction of the receiver rapier head, and a rotatable guiding wheel for restraining the receiver rapier head when opening. This disclosure further relates to a method for converting an existing rapier weaving machine into a rapier weaving machine according to this disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yarn storage device for a yarn processing machine, a method for supplementing a yarn store in said yarn storage device and a yarn processing machine provided with said yarn storage device, wherein the yarn storage device comprises storage units (2, 7) and loading means (3) in order to add yarn in a selected storage unit, wherein at least one storage unit comprises a winding holder (7) that is provided to keep a yarn store in a state wound round a holder body (7c), and wherein preferably yarn is added in windings with a winding diameter (D1) that is greater than the radial dimensions (D3) of the holder body (7c).

Abstract: A tufting machine and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle with yarn required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar through the backing medium, to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle moves from top dead center to bottom dead center.

Abstract: A tufting machine comprising a plurality of needle holders (11) associated with a needle bar (5) and slidably supported in a frame for reciprocation in a needle reciprocation direction. A respective needle (10) is attached to each needle holder (11), each needle holder having an engagement portion. The needle bar (5) has means (7, 13) for selectively latching with the engagement portion of each selected needle holder so as to selectively drive latched needle holders in the needle reciprocation direction. A stop bar (21) is positioned to limit the upward movement of the needle holders (11). At least one magnet (20) retains non-latched needle holders in its uppermost position as the needle bar is reciprocated. The magnets (20) are embedded in the stop bar (21). The machine further comprises a cushioning member (27) attached to the magnet (20) and facing the top of each needle holder (11).

Abstract: A presser foot module (50) for a tufting machine. The module has a module body (13) for attachment to a tufting machine and the plurality of fingers (12) extending from the body in a first direction which, in use, is opposite to the direction in which the backing medium (1) is fed through the tufting machine. The module body (13) has a downwardly depending lip (53) defining a presser surface (53A) extending across an end of the body which is adjacent to the interface with the fingers (12). Each finger (12) has an unsupported end opposite to the module body (13) so as to provide access to an open gap between adjacent fingers in a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a yarn feed module for supplying yarn into a textile machine, including a drive roller for supplying the yarn, a guide element for guiding the yarn, and a restrain element that is arranged between the drive roller and the guide element in order to ensure that, on supplying of the yarn, the yarn detaches from the drive roller. The invention also concerns a textile machine including such a yarn feed module.

Abstract: A pattern data processing system configured to determine and compensate for any points of entanglement between different yarns. A point of entanglement is defined as a point where the yarn from one needle crosses and traps the yarn from another needle on the back face of the backing medium. The pattern data processing system is configured to calculate the additional length of back stich caused by each point of entanglement by subtracting an ideal back stich length, calculated as the path which would have been taken by the yarn had it not been entangled in another yarn, from an actual yarn path, calculated as the actual length of the entangled yarn. A controller is configured to include in the amount of yarn fed by a respective yarn feed mechanism for each stitch an amount equivalent to the additional length of back stitch. The invention also includes a tufting machine and method of operating the tufting machine with the pattern data processing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yarn storage device for a yarn processing machine, a method for supplementing a yarn store in said yarn storage device and a yarn processing machine provided with said yarn storage device, wherein the yarn storage device comprises storage units (2, 7) and loading means (3) in order to add yarn in a selected storage unit, wherein at least one storage unit comprises a winding holder (7) that is provided to keep a yarn store in a state wound round a holder body (7c), and wherein preferably yarn is added in windings with a winding diameter (D1) that is greater than the radial dimensions (D3) of the holder body (7c).

Abstract: A pattern data processing system configured to determine and compensate for any points of entanglement between different yarns. A point of entanglement is defined as a point where the yarn from one needle crosses and traps the yarn from another needle on the back face of the backing medium. The pattern data processing system is configured to calculate the additional length of back stich caused by each point of entanglement by subtracting an ideal back stich length, calculated as the path which would have been taken by the yarn had it not been entangled in another yarn, from an actual yarn path, calculated as the actual length of the entangled yarn. A controller is configured to include in the amount of yarn fed by a respective yarn feed mechanism for each stitch an amount equivalent to the additional length of back stitch. The invention also includes a tufting machine and method of operating the tufting machine with the pattern data processing system.

Abstract: A tufting machine comprising a plurality of needle holders (11) associated with a needle bar (5) and slidably supported in a frame for reciprocation in a needle reciprocation direction. A respective needle (10) is attached to each needle holder (11), each needle holder having an engagement portion. The needle bar (5) has means (7, 13) for selectively latching with the engagement portion of each selected needle holder so as to selectively drive latched needle holders in the needle reciprocation direction. A stop bar (21) is positioned to limit the upward movement of the needle holders (11). At least one magnet (20) retains non-latched needle holders in its uppermost position as the needle bar is reciprocated. The magnets (20) are embedded in the stop bar (21). The machine further comprises a cushioning member (27) attached to the magnet (20) and facing the top of each needle holder (11).

Abstract: A delivery device with actuators for delivering yarns in a textile machine, controllers for controlling the actuators, which comprise produce measurement signals as a measure of the drive torque of the actuators, and monitors for monitoring the tensions of the yarns using the measurement signals. Additionally, at least one embodiment concerns a method for monitoring the tension of yarns which are delivered in a textile machine by means of actuators, comprising producing measurement signals as a measure of the drive torque of the actuators, which is a measure of yarn tension, and monitoring the tension of the yarns using the measurement signals.

Abstract: A tufting machine (1) and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle (10) with yarn (4) required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar (11) through the backing medium (7), to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism (2) comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism (2) to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle (11) moves from top dead centre to bottom dead centre.

Abstract: A device (1) equipped with pattern-controlled components (2) for pattern-controlled feeding and/or selection of yarn for a textile machine, comprising a plurality of actuators (4) and a cooling circuit (5, 8) through which coolant is flowable for the cooling of the actuators (4), whereby the actuators (4) in the device (1) are installed alongside the cooling circuit (5, 8) and are mountable so as to be detachable so that the actuators can be removed without interrupting the cooling circuit (5, 8). Furthermore, a textile machine comprising such a device (1).

Abstract: A device for cutting off weft yarn (27) during successive weaving cycles, comprising a cutting element (1) and a rotatable detaining element (2c), (13) which is forced to a detaining position by a spring force in order to detain the yarn and can rotate, under the influence of a tensile force exerted by a rapier on the detained yarn, counter to the spring force to a non-detaining position in which the yarn can be moved further towards the cutting element (1) in order to be cut. Such a device is efficient and can be made to be more reliable and more compact than existing devices. The invention also relates to a weaving loom provided with such a device.

Abstract: A deliver device (1) with actuators (3) for delivering yarns (2) in a textile machine, control means (4) for controlling the actuators (3) which comprise measuring means with measurement signals as a measure of the drive torque of the actuators (3) and monitoring means (5) for monitoring the tension of the yarns (2) using said measurement signals, a method for monitoring the tension of yarns (2) which are delivered in a textile machine by means of actuators (3), comprising producing measurement signals as a measure of the drive torque of the actuators (3) as a measure of the tension, the use of control means (4) for controlling actuators (3) for delivering yarns (2) in a textile machine in order to monitor the tension of the yarns (2).

Abstract: A device (1) equipped with pattern-controlled components (2) for pattern-controlled feeding and/or selection of yarn for a textile machine, comprising a plurality of actuators (4) and a cooling circuit (5, 8) through which coolant is flowable for the cooling of the actuators (4), whereby the actuators (4) in the device (1) are installed alongside the cooling circuit (5, 8) and are mountable so as to be detachable so that the actuators can be removed without interrupting the cooling circuit (5, 8). Furthermore, a textile machine comprising such a device (1).

Abstract: A giver rapier head (1) comprises a presentation space (9) between a successive guide nose (11), for leading off warp threads (23) on one side (7), and a selection nose (8), for leading off warp threads (23) on the other side, so that a weft thread (2) can be directly presented in this presentation space (9) and can engage from there in an insertion space (15) between the selection nose (8) and the first-mentioned side (7). A giver rapier (1) has a limit guide arc (10) which is arranged at the front side of the giver rapier (1) and a selection nose (8) which is arranged on the top side, with its top (26) facing the guide arc (10). A rapier weaving machine (20) comprises such a giver rapier head (1). In a method for inserting a weft thread (2), the giver rapier head (1) is moved towards this weft thread (2) while the reed (19) beats up an inserted weft thread (2).

Abstract: A yarn storage device (1) for a yarn-processing machine including yarn storage spaces (2) and at least one yarn loader (3) which can be moved to a selected yarn storage space (2) in order to connect an end part of the yarn supply (14) to an end part of an external yarn supply, and to add an amount of yarn to said yarn storage space (2) by winding the yarn (100) onto a winding-up body (6) and then removing it from the winding-up body (6) in the wound-up state and to add it to the storage space (2). The present invention also relates to a corresponding method and a yarn-processing machine fitted with such a yarn storage device.

Abstract: A giver rapier head (1) comprises a presentation space (9) between a successive guide nose (11), for leading off warp threads (23) on one side (7), and a selection nose (8), for leading off warp threads (23) on the other side, so that a weft thread (2) can be directly presented in this presentation space (9) and can engage from there in an insertion space (15) between the selection nose (8) and the first-mentioned side (7). A giver rapier (1) has a limit guide arc (10) which is arranged at the front side of the giver rapier (1) and a selection nose of which is arranged on the top side, with its top (26) facing the guide arc (10). A rapier weaving machine (20) comprises such a giver rapier head (1). In a method for inserting a weft thread (2), the giver rapier head (1) is moved towards this weft thread (2) while the reed (19) beats up an inserted weft thread (2).

Abstract: A device for cutting off weft yarn (27) during successive weaving cycles, comprising a cutting element (1) and a rotatable detaining element (2c), (13) which is forced to a detaining position by a spring force in order to detain the yarn and can rotate, under the influence of a tensile force exerted by a rapier on the detained yarn, counter to the spring force to a non-detaining position in which the yarn can be moved further towards the cutting element (1) in order to be cut. Such a device is efficient and can be made to be more reliable and more compact than existing devices. The invention also relates to a weaving loom provided with such a device.