Choosing the best power loom depends on the weaver’s needs, budget, and desired level of automation. Production rates vary between machines, with air or water jet looms being the fastest. Size and human interaction also play a role in selecting a power loom. New machines offer custom options and maintenance/training, but used machines can be significantly cheaper. Different types of power looms also vary in production speed, with gripper air jet looms being the fastest.
Acquiring the best power loom depends on the needs of the weaver, as machines differ in cost, size and degree of automation. Weavers hoping to increase quantity must also consider the production rates of various machines. Air or water jet looms guarantee maximum production in the shortest possible time. Regardless of automated functions, all power looms require manual interaction at some level, including warping or threading the machine.
If you plan on starting a small business, your budget may determine the type and size of power looms available. New commercial weaving machines typically cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Advantages of purchasing a new power loom include the fact that some companies produce custom machinery, built to the buyer’s specifications. Manufacturers often offer extensive machine maintenance and training. However, you may find a better deal from companies that are upgrading their equipment or from manufacturers who are going out of business and are willing to sell current power loom designs at a significantly reduced price, often a fraction of the cost of new machinery.
Size could be another factor when looking to buy the best power frame. While some automated machines require about the same amount of floor space as larger conventional looms, other models can take up more than 400 square feet (37 square meters) of workspace. While all power looms run on standard household current, they differ in the amount of automation. Some industrial machines used for weaving fabrics have sensors that alert personnel when threads break or shuttle mechanisms go wrong. Other models may not have these features.
Individual power looms also require varying amounts of human interaction with regards to installation and operation. Some automated power looms, while electronic, require manual adjustments for the type and amount of fabric produced. A computer-operated power loom simply requires the weaver to choose the desired settings using the supplied software. The power loom then creates the desired pattern and amount of fabric based on your specifications. Depending on the specific system, each power loom might have an individual command station while a mainframe monitors productivity and maintains databases across all looms.
Different types of power looms also vary in how quickly they produce fabric. While power Jacquard looms allow for individual yarn control and can create intricate patterns easily, they produce only about 500 plexes, or rows, per minute. Faster machines include the power rapier loom, which uses flexible spiral grippers, instead of shuttles, that work together to create the horizontal row of threads known as the weft. This loom produces fabric at the rate of approximately 850 laces per minute. Many believe that a gripper air jet exceeds the production potential of most power looms with its ability to create up to 1,200 grips per minute, propelling the grippers through the machine using an initial and additional jet of air.
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