Mechanism of Weaving

Abstract

THE second edition of this excellent book, on the construction and working of the power loom, has been carefully revised by the author. It has justly been recognised as a standard text-book on the subject of loom mechanism. The work treats of tappet, dobbie, and Jacquard or harness looms. In the first place, a full exposition is given of the tappet shedding motion, reference being made to the Yorkshire tappet loom, Wood-croft and segment tappets, and also to the different under motions for the depression of the heald shafts. Proceeding, Mr. Fox deals with some of the principal types of dobbies, such as the Blackburn, Keighley, Burnley and American. By means of sectional drawings, the somewhat intricate mechanism of these dobbies is clearly described. The work would have been enhanced to the manufacturer of heavy fabrics, such as linen, woollen and worsted textures, if fuller descriptions had been given of the dobbies employed in the weaving of these fabrics. Still, to the student of cotton weaving and the manufacturer of light fabrics, the information supplied will be found invaluable, and even the makers of heavier cloths might consult the pages on dobbies with profit. It is open to dispute whether the best method of treatment has been adopted, from a student's standpoint, in dealing fully with shedding motions, including the Jacquard, and card stamping, and the methods of tieing up the harness, before reference is made to other essential motions of the loom; but the plan of the author is evident on only a casual examination of the book, namely, to treat of each distinct motion in all its various forms in succession, excluding the possibility of affording the reader at the outset even a general notion of the combination of movements in power-loom weaving. This explains why some 280 pages, or more than half the book, should be devoted to the principles of shedding, card stamping and harness mounting, prior to any descriptive reference being made to the picking, the warp let-off, fabric take-up, shuttle, and other motions.

Mechanism of Weaving.

By T. W. Fox. Pp. xxii + 514. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1900.)