Air Jet Loom

Air Jet Loom:

The air jet weaving machine combines high performance with low manufacturing requirements. It has an extremely high insertion rate. Due to its exceptional performance, air jet machines are used primarily for the economical production of standard fabrics, covering a wide range of styles. Meanwhile, more and more niches and special fabric segments are covered; heavy cotton fabrics such as denim, terry fabrics, glass fabrics, etc.

General operation of Air jet loom:

The thread, prepared in a given length (corresponding to the reed width) by pre-measuring weft carriers, is launched through the shed by a jet of compressed air.

The air jet weaving machines require air ducts capable of maintaining an effective air flow on the whole weaving width. To obtain this, the machine manufacturers prefer today to use the system with profiled reed, in which the air and the thread are guided through a tunnel-shaped reed. The weft is placed in the groove formed by the reed’s profiled dents, in which it remains until the reed stroke.

Fig: Air jet weaving machine

Main Parts of Air Jet Loom for Weft Insertion:

1) TENSIONER: Additive disk type tensioner is used for weft insertion which maintains proper tension in the weft yarn.

2) WEFT BREAK SENSOR: It is an electric sensor which detect any weft break in the region between weft package and accumulator and automatically stop the loom in case any weft break.

3) ACCUMULATOR: It is a device, which fitted between the weft package and main nozzle. That unwinds a predetermined length of weft, from the package and stores it in the form of number of coils on a cylindrical drum. This yarn then fed in to insertion device.

4) STOPPER: It is an electronically controlled electromagnetic device integrated along with the accumulator. Its function in releasing the yarn at starts of insertion and stop it at the end of insertion.

5) BALLOON BREAKER: It is fitted just after accumulator, its function is to separate the balloon formation. So as to reduce as ballooning tension as well as minimize the tension fluctuation. It is generally used for coarser yarn.

6) FIXED MAIN NOZZLE: Its function is to form the air jet from compressed air with the required velocity and acceleration characteristics and project it in a proper direction in to air guide channel.

7) RELAY NOZZLE OR SUB NOZZLE: Fitted in series along the sley. It creates an additional air flow in the direction of air jet, So as to compensate the loss of air velocity.

8) PROFILE REED: Here the reed is profiled, so as to form a guide channel which guides the air jet as well as weft during insertion.

9) WEFT CUTTER: It is cam operated device fitted in the region between the moveable main nozzle and the reed at picking side. Its function is to gripping and cutting the weft after every pick at around beat-up.

10) AIR GUIDE CHANNEL: It is formed on the reed. Its function is guiding and confining the free expansion of the air jet in order to maintain the velocity over larger distance as possible.

11) WEFT DETECTOR: It is an optical device fitted at the end of reed at the receiving side. Its function is to check the arrival of weft at the receiving side .In case of late arrival or miss pick, then it sense and automatically stopped the loom.

12) STRETCH NOZZLE: Located just beside the weft detector .It supplement the effect of enhanced stretching action on the weft by the closely spaced relay nozzle at the end of insertion. So as to, prevent the chance of weft recoiling due to action of stopper.

13) SELVEDGE CUTTER: Located at the receiving side. It is an electronically operated mechanical device which cut the weft yarn extending between fabric and auxiliary selvedge .So as to separate the auxiliary selvedge which is passed out as a waste.

Features of AIR Jet Loom:

      The air jet weaving machines are the weaving machines with the highest weft insertion performance.

      This loom is most productive in the manufacturing of light to medium weight fabrics.

      Preferably made of cotton and certain man-made fibres (sheets, shirting fabrics, linings, taffetas and satins in staple yarns of man-made fibres).

      The air jet loom has technically positive results are obtained at present also with heavy weight fabrics (denims) and that some manufacturers produce also machine models for terry production.

      These machines are the ideal solution for those who want to produce bulk quantities of customized fabric styles.

      The weaving widths range generally from 190 to 400 cm.

      As regards the multicolor weft carrier, up to 8 different wefts can be fed.

      The air jet weaving machines require a high energy consumption to prepare the compressed air.

      To build compressed air, this consumption rises definitely with increasing loom width and running speed.

      The air jet loom also has the robust frame structure.

       Productivity is an essential factor of air jet looms. For its smooth warp shed, a well-balanced beating system, the best weft insertion system.

      Another most important feature is the machine has low vibrations.

      Free drum pooling system provided with the yarn-advancing reel as standard. It stabilizes insertion with less yarn break age even at high-speed weaving or extra-wide weaving. Computerized controlling system that can be easily operated or supervision.