Introduction:
Shedding is a critical process in weaving, which involves raising and lowering warp yarns to create a space, or shed, through which the weft yarn can be inserted. In shuttle looms, shedding is accomplished using a shedding mechanism, which includes a series of cams that control the movement of the harnesses. In this lab manual, we will study the shedding mechanism of a shuttle loom and learn about the cam positioning with respect to the loom cycle.
Equipment Required:
- Shuttle Loom
- Cam Set
- Harnesses
- Warp and Weft Yarn
- Measuring Tape
- Stopwatch
Procedure:
- First, we need to understand the components of the shedding mechanism. The shedding mechanism consists of a series of harnesses, which hold the warp yarn, and a set of cams that control the movement of the harnesses.
- Load the loom with the warp and weft yarn, making sure that the warp is under tension and that the shuttle is properly threaded.
- Install the cam set onto the loom. The cam set controls the movement of the harnesses, which determines the pattern of the weave.
- Turn on the loom and observe the motion of the harnesses. Look for any signs of misalignment or irregular motion.
- Use a measuring tape to measure the position of the cams with respect to the loom cycle. The position of the cams determines the timing of the harness movement.
- Time the loom cycle using a stopwatch. The loom cycle includes the time it takes to complete one pick, or insertion of the weft yarn.
- Adjust the cam positioning as needed to ensure that the harness movement is timed correctly with the loom cycle. This will ensure that the shed is open and closed at the right times for the insertion of the weft yarn.
- Check the tension of the warp and weft yarns and adjust if necessary.
- Run a test weave to check the quality of the fabric. Make any necessary adjustments to the cam positioning and tension of the yarns.
- Once the test weave is successful, continue weaving the desired pattern.
Conclusion:
In this lab manual, we studied the shedding mechanism of a shuttle loom and learned about the cam positioning with respect to the loom cycle. We learned about the components of the shedding mechanism, such as the harnesses and cams, and observed their motion. We also learned how to measure the position of the cams and time the loom cycle. By adjusting the cam positioning as needed, we can ensure that the shed is open and closed at the right times for the insertion of the weft yarn. By following these steps, we can produce high-quality woven fabric using a shuttle loom.