New instrument for the measurement of weft velocity in air-jet weaving

The paper describes a compact instrument based on opto-electronic sensing for the measurement of dynamic weft velocity in air-jet weaving, which is easy use and which has proven to be much superior to the stroboscopic flash based method which is normally employed for the purpose. Air-jet weaving is one of the most productive technologies used in the woven fabric industry, achieved by the use of compressed air for inserting the weft yarn. However the energy demands of producing compressed air requires careful optimisation of air usage to uphold process economies. The instrument can also be used to obtain optimum machine settings for weaving a given weft yarn, at the start of a new weaving operation in a faster and easier manner.