Rapier Loom

MD SOHEL KHAN

Department of Textile Engineering

Port City International University

Loom 1.What is loom? Loom is a mechanical device which is used

to produce woven fabric by the insertion of warp and weft yarn. In weaving technology ; loom is the principle mechanical device for weaving. Various types of loom are used for doing the weaving task. Various types of designed fabric are produced by changing the machine setting.

Types of Modern Loom Rapier Loom Projectile Loom Air Jet Loom Water Jet Loom Multiphase Loom

Rapier Loom Rapier loom is a

shuttleless weaving loom in which the filling yarn is carried through the shed of warp yarns to the other side of the loom by finger like carriers called rapiers.

continued A rapier loom uses a rapier to pull the weft yarn across the

loom.

It can be a single rapier or double rapier.

For a single rapier, a long rapier device is required to extend

across the full width of warp.

For a double rapier loom, two rapiers enter the shed from

opposite sides of the loom and transfer the weft from one

rapier head to the other near the centre of the loom

The advantage of two rapier system is only 50% of the rapier

movement is utilized in the weft insertion of single rapier loom

Single Rigid rapier The rigid rapier is a metal or composite bar usually with a circular cross

section

The rapier enters the shed from one side, picks up the tip of the weft yarn

on the other side and passes it across the weaving machine while retracting

Single rapier carries the yarn in one way only and half of the rapier

movement is wasted

Rapier length is equal to the width of the weaving machine

Requires high mass and rigidity of the rapier -

to ensure straight movement of the rapier head

Single rapier machines are not popular

Single Rigid rapier

Continued….Advantage

• Problem of weft transfer does not arise and

normal range of fabric can be woven.

Disadvantage

• One movement of rapier is wasted.

• Loom speed is very slow.

• The maximum weft insertion rate is 400 m/min

Single Rigid rapier

Double Rigid Rapier Two rapiers enter the shed from the opposite sides and meet at the center.

The double rapier weaving machines are subdivided into:

• One-sided weft insertion. One rapier is the transmitting rapier the

other is the taker rapier.

• Double-sided weft insertion. Each rapier acts alternately as the giver

and the taker.

The giver picks up the yarn from the accumulator at one side, brings it

to the center of the shed, transfers it to the second rapier (taker).

As the taker retracts, carries the yarn to the other side.

In a twin-rapier system, two rapiers move together from the same

driving source, as is necessary in face-to-face (i.e., double-plush)

weaving

Double Rigid Rapier

Mechanism of Rapier loom A rapier is a rod or steel tape which carries the weft

yarn. In the other end, the rapier connected to the control system.

The rapier moves through the warp yarn by carrying weft yarn from one end to other.

There are two types of rapier loom. One types of rapier loom consist a rapier in one end.

The rapier is then retracted, leaving the new filling in the place.

Other types of rapier also available, in which the rapier carries the weft yarn to the centre and the other rapier from the opposite side carries the weft yarn from the centre.

Continued…. There are two types of rapier loom. One is flexible

and other is rigid rapier loom. The rigid loom takes more space than rigid loom.

Flexible rapier can be coiled, if it is too flexible than it will buckle. The double rapier is used more frequently than single rapier.

A rapier machines can be operate at speeds up to 1300 meters of weft per minute. This type of rapier is efficient. The noise level is high because it speeds about 200 to 260 ppm.

Structure of rapier loom

Main parts 12.Crank shaft. 3.Bottom shaft. 4. Grippers tapes. 5. Rapier Loom Sensors. 6. Rapier Loom Cutters. 7. Rapier Loom Driving Wheel 8. Rapier Loom Tapes .Motor.

Features High on quality Low cost Stable weft insertion PLC Base control

panel Rigid design

Continued….Specification of rapier weaving machine is given below –

Specifications Name Specifications ValueProduct Category Weaving

Machine Category Loom rapier weaving machine

Product Name Rapier Loom MachineProduct Model According to ManufacturerProduct Class NewOrigin China/India/OthersBrand/Manufacturer Name of ManufacturerAgent In Bangladesh No/YesPower 1.5~2.2kw

SpecificationTemperature NormalCertification SGS/OthersProduction Capacity 100 Set/Sets per MonthFidder 6/8Droppers 10000pcsWork Width 2300 (mm)Warp Beam Diameter 600mmDrum Diameter 300mmMaximum Speed 280rpmWeft Insertion 160-180m/minColor Selection 6 color

Continued….Color Selection 6 colorSpindle Number 392Heald Frame 14Motor Power 1.5 /2.0 KwDimension 4450*2300*3100mmWeight 3600kg

Description

The rapier transfer box build with the most helix gears is stable and dependable. Rear beam tension structure is used to balance tension of warp for high density fabrics

Advantage Less floor space requirement , spatial

productivity is higher. Flexible rapier band are wound on

wheels placed in semi-circular channels when they are withdrawn outside the shad, and the result is wide working widths up to 5m.

Disadvantages The warp threads should not be damages by

the ribbed guides . Guiding system may lid the ink breakage due

to not failure . Using fancy yarn in warp direction is almost

impossible. Wasted movement.

End Product Very light fabrics with 20 GSM

to heavy fabrics with around 850 GSM.

Rapier machines are widely used for household textiles and industrial fabrics.

Rapier machines are designed for universal uses like – Weave classic Wool, Cotton, Man-made fibres, fine Silk and Fancy yarns.

Conclusion Rapier machines weave more rapidly

than most shuttle machines but more slowly than most other projectile machines. An important advantage of rapier machines is their flexibility, which permits the laying of picks of different colours. They also weave yarns of any type of fibre and can weave fabrics up to 110 inches in width without modification.

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