Study of sley movement, construction and calculation of sley eccentricity

Introduction

The sley is a component of a weaving machine that is responsible for beating the weft yarn into place after it is inserted across the warp yarns. The sley movement is an essential part of the weaving process, and it is important to understand the construction and operation of the sley. In this lab manual, we will study the sley movement, the construction of the sley, and the calculation of sley eccentricity.




Equipment Required
  1. Weaving Machine
  2. Sley
  3. Measuring Tape
  4. Vernier Caliper
  5. Stopwatch




Procedure
  1. First, we need to understand the construction of the sley. The sley consists of a set of metal or wooden bars that are mounted on a frame. These bars are called reeds, and they are responsible for beating the weft yarn into place.
  2. Observe the motion of the sley during the weaving process. The sley moves back and forth to beat the weft yarn into place.
  3. Measure the distance traveled by the sley during one weaving cycle. This can be done by measuring the distance between the starting point and ending point of the sley.
  4. Calculate the eccentricity of the sley. Eccentricity refers to the deviation of the sley’s center of motion from its geometric center. To calculate eccentricity, measure the distance from the center of the sley to the center of motion. Use a Vernier caliper to measure the distance.
  5. Calculate the period of sley movement. This refers to the time taken by the sley to complete one weaving cycle. Use a stopwatch to time the period of sley movement.
  6. Analyze the motion of the sley and observe any signs of misalignment or irregular motion.
  7. Make any necessary adjustments to the sley mechanism to ensure that the motion of the sley is smooth and consistent.
  8. Run a test weave to check the quality of the fabric. Make any necessary adjustments to the sley mechanism and tension of the yarns.
  9. Once the test weave is successful, continue weaving the desired pattern.




Conclusion

In this lab manual, we studied the sley movement, the construction of the sley, and the calculation of sley eccentricity. By observing the motion of the sley and making any necessary adjustments to the sley mechanism, we can ensure that the motion of the sley is smooth and consistent, resulting in high-quality woven fabric. By following these steps, we can produce high-quality woven fabric using a weaving machine.




Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

What is mechanism of the sley ?

The sley mechanism in weaving is responsible for controlling the movement of the sley or reed within the loom. The sley mechanism is usually connected to the loom’s driving mechanism and is operated in synchronization with other weaving elements.

The primary function of the sley mechanism is to exert force on the warp threads by moving the reed back and forth. This movement is crucial for several purposes:
Beat-up: The sley mechanism facilitates the beat-up process, where the reed pushes the weft yarns tightly against the previously woven fabric. This action ensures that the weft yarns are firmly integrated with the warp, creating a stable fabric structure.
Shed formation: The sley mechanism aids in creating the shed, which is the opening between the warp yarns through which the weft yarn is inserted. It coordinates with the shedding mechanism (such as a dobby or a Jacquard mechanism) to achieve the desired warp yarn separation for the insertion of the weft.
Warp spacing and alignment: The sley mechanism maintains the desired spacing and alignment of the warp yarns. It holds the dents, which are evenly spaced to accommodate the desired warp density. As the sley moves, it helps separate the warp yarns and prevents tangling or overlapping.

The sley mechanism can be powered by various mechanisms depending on the type of loom. It can be manually operated in handloom weaving or controlled by mechanical or electronic means in power looms or modern weaving machines.
The sley mechanism plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper beat-up, shed formation, and warp control during the weaving process, contributing to the quality and integrity of the woven fabric.

What is sley in weaving ?

In weaving, a sley refers to the part of a loom that holds and controls the warp threads. It is also known as a reed. The sley is typically made of a series of parallel metal or wooden rods called dents, which are spaced apart to accommodate the desired density of warp threads.
The sley is mounted in a special part of the loom called the beater or reed holder. Its primary function is to separate the warp threads and maintain their proper spacing during the weaving process. The warp threads are threaded through the dents of the sley, which helps to ensure an even distribution and alignment of the warp yarns.
By controlling the density of warp threads in each dent, weavers can create different fabric structures and effects. The spacing of the sley can be adjusted according to the desired fabric specifications, such as the number of warp ends per inch (epi) or the thickness of the fabric.
The sley is an important component in the overall weaving process, working in conjunction with other parts of the loom, such as the harnesses or shafts, to create the desired weave pattern and fabric structure.