Abstract: A thread brake arrangement for use in a textile processing machine includes two brake elements with the thread running there between. An actuator, preferably a piezoelectric actuator, variably actuates one of the brake elements relative to the other to exert an adjustable braking force onto the thread. The thread exerts a reaction force in the thread running direction onto the brake elements. At least one of the brake elements is movably supported to be movable along the thread running direction, and is mechanically coupled to a force transducer that measures the reaction force, which is proportional or equal to the thread tension force. A regulating arrangement receives the measured force signal, and controls the actuator to adjust the adjustable brake element, so as to vary the applied braking force and thus regulate the arising thread tension responsive to and dependent on the measured reaction force.

Abstract: In a gripper weaving loom which weaves several different types of weft threads into a fabric, it is desirable to keep weft material waste to a minimum. For this purpose a weft thread (7) already inserted into the loom shed is simultaneously held by a weft presenting clamp (13) and by a holding clamp (18). As soon as the weft is held by both clamps the weft is cut by a cutter (20) effective between the two clamps to form a trailing weft end (7B) of the already inserted weft and a leading weft end (7A) of a weft yet to be inserted. The holding clamp (18) keeps holding the trailing end (7B) until beat-up of the weft by the reed (4) is completed. For this purpose, the holding clamp (18) moves with the reed (4) into the beat-up position. When beat-up is completed the holding clamp (18) releases the trailing weft end (7B) and returns into a weft receiving position (22B). The weft presenting clamp (13) still holds the leading end (12A).

Abstract: A thread brake arrangement for use in a textile processing machine includes two brake elements with the thread running therebetween. An actuator, preferably a piezoelectric actuator, variably actuates one of the brake elements relative to the other to exert an adjustable braking force onto the thread. The thread exerts a reaction force in the thread running direction onto the brake elements. At least one of the brake elements is movably supported to be movable along the thread running direction, and is mechanically coupled to a force transducer that measures the reaction force, which is proportional or equal to the thread tension force. A regulating arrangement receives the measured force signal, and controls the actuator to adjust the adjustable brake element, so as to vary the applied braking force and thus regulate the arising thread tension responsive to and dependent on the measured reaction force.

Abstract: In a gripper weaving loom which weaves several different types of weft threads into a fabric, it is desirable to keep weft material waste to a minimum. For this purpose a weft thread (7) already inserted into the loom shed is simultaneously held by a weft presenting clamp (13) and by a holding clamp (18). As soon as the weft is held by both clamps the weft is cut by a cutter (20) effective between the two clamps to form a trailing weft end (7B) of the already inserted weft and a leading weft end (7A) of a weft yet to be inserted. The holding clamp (18) keeps holding the trailing end (7B) until beat-up of the weft by the reed (4) is completed. For this purpose, the holding clamp (18) moves with the reed (4) into the beat-up position. When beat-up is completed the holding clamp (18) releases the trailing weft end (7B) and returns into a weft receiving position (22B). The weft presenting clamp (13) still holds the leading end (12A).

Abstract: In a test weaving run on a test loom, a first set of article-specific adjustment data is determined for the optimal adjustment of loom components for weaving a particular woven article. First and second sets of machine-specific data characterizing various machine parameters of the test loom and of a different production loom, respectively, are provided to a computer, which compares these two sets of machine-specific data. Based on the differences therebetween, the computer modifies the first set of article-specific adjustment data determined on the test loom, to prepare a modified second set of article-specific adjustment data suitable for optimally adjusting the production loom for weaving the particular article. From that data, control commands are prepared and provided to actuators of the production loom for automatically adjusting the components thereof to the optimal positions for weaving the article.

Abstract: A loom has an illuminating unit for improving the detection of deficiencies in a length of fabric. The illuminating unit extends over the entire width of the loom and at least one illumination device. The illuminating unit is pivotably fastened between loom walls in the area of a free space defined by the fabric guidance rollers and the length of fabric itself. The illuminating unit illuminates the length of the fabric and is used as a safety cover over the roller gap between the rollers.

Abstract: A loom is equipped with a pneumatic slide bearing for guiding and supporting a weft insertion gripper carrier, which may be a rigid rapier rod or a flexible band. The pneumatic slide bearing supports and guides the weft gripper carrier in a nearly friction-free manner. The pneumatic slide bearing includes a bearing body (1) that is pivotally mounted on a bolt (3) and that extends along the lengthwise direction of the rapier rod (12) or around the circumferential direction of the flexible band (21). The bearing body (1) has an air channel (5) therein, and has a plurality of transverse holes (6) passing from the air channel out through a side wall. A bearing plate (8) with a plurality of transverse holes (9) therethrough is removably mounted along the side wall of the bearing body (1) so that the transverse holes (9) align with the transverse holes (6).

Abstract: A terry cloth weaving loom operating with a fabric displacement drive that controls the terry formation fabric motion, is equipped with a terry pile height adjusting mechanism operatively integrated in the fabric displacement drive between a crank arm (26) of a fabric feed roller (9) and a double lever (29) driven by the main loom drive. The terry pile height adjusting mechanism adjusts the terry pile height in response to a control signal for a servo-motor that drives the adjusting mechanism only for the adjustment but not for any transmission of substantial fabric displacement forces.

Abstract: In a loom having mechanically driven weft thread insertion members, a weaving reed and a guide element for a weft thread gripper cooperate with one another, so that the guide element guidedly runs along the reed to provide an positive guidance for the gripper while it inserts a weft thread. To achieve this, each one of the reed teeth (6) has a profile recess (6D) therein between the upper and lower reed frame members (1A, 1B). The recesses are aligned with each other to form a guide channel across the width of the weaving reed (1). A protruding extension (13A) of the guide element (13) mounted on the gripper (12) is temporarily guidingly connected or engaged with the guide groove as the weft thread insertion members reach into and out of the loom shed.

Abstract: The warp threads (30) in a weaving loom are guided by a warp guide roller (16) and tightened by a warp tension roller (21). Both rollers (16, 21) are rotatably supported on a plurality of carrier brackets (15) spaced from each other along the loom weaving width and secured to a crossbar (2) operatively mounted in the loom frame by mountings (4, 6, 7). Each carrier bracket (15) has at its free end a bearing (15A) in which the warp guide roller (16) rotatably rests. Each carrier bracket (15) further carries at least one warp tensioning lever (19) journalled to the respective bracket (15) and having a bearing (19A) for supporting the warp tensioning roller (21). A cam drive (28, 29) biased by a spring (12) operates the warp tensioning levers (19) and thus the warp tensioning roller (21) into a warp tensioning position.

Abstract: A warp tensioning mechanism for a weaving loom is so constructed that a crossbar (8) that carries the tensioning mechanism is mounted at each end in the loom frame for a three-dimensional adjustment (5, 5A, 5B) vertically up and down, horizontally back and forth, and angularly about the longitudinal axis of the crossbar. After adjustments have been made, the crossbar is locked in position. The crossbar carries two sets of bearing brackets. One set (16) of bearing brackets holds a carrier beam in first bearings. The carrier beam in turn holds a warp tensioning roller (23) in second bearings (18). The second set of carrier brackets (16A) holds a warp guide roller (25) in third bearings (27).

Abstract: A drive system for a weaving loom includes at least one four-pivot three-link drive or preferably two such drives for transmitting drive power from a main loom shaft through a cam drive to a slay shaft coupled to the cam drive through the four-pivot three-link drive. The use of two four-pivot three link drives permits operating the weaving loom selectively for producing terry cloth and/or smooth fabric. Each of the four-pivot three-link drives (DL, DR) has four pivots or journals (A, B, C, D) and three links (24, 38, 43; 25, 40, 44). Each four-pivot three-link drive cooperates with a roller carrying cam follower (15) that is controlled by an eccentric cam assembly (7). Both four-pivot three-link drives effectively operate the slay shaft (46) of the loom. A control and engagement mechanism (33, 54) provides for the switching from one four-pivot three-link drive to the other and vice versa, whereby a switch-over from the production of one type of fabric to the other is facilitated.

Abstract: A gear drive for shuttleless looms has an input transmission train and an outpost transmission train cooperating for converting the continuous rotational movement of the main loom drive shaft into an oscillating back and forth movement which in turn is converted into a horizontal back and forth movement of the respective gripper rod carrying a gripper head back and forth into the loom shed. The output transmission section or train has two auxiliary parallel output drive shafts, both of which are driven from a central output drive shaft. Two pinions at the free ends of the auxiliary parallel drive shaft mesh with the gripper rod, thereby distributing the drive forces over a larger surface area for reducing the wear and tear on the gripper rod and on the two parallel output drives.

Abstract: A gear drive for a shuttleless loom is equipped with a coupling device or clutch between an input first gear group (G1) and an output second gear group (G2). The coupling or clutch provides a form-locking connection between the two gear groups which convert a continuous rotational movement on the input side into a back-and-forth movement on the output side to drive, for example, a gripper rod for the insertion of the weft thread into the loom shed. The coupling device or clutch can be rapidly operated by an electromagnet or by an electric motor and greatly facilitates performing the operations that are, for example, necessary for repairing a broken weft thread.