Shigeru Nishikawa

Designing a Prototype of a Computerized Patterning System on Jacquard Weaving Process

In order to modernize patterning works of figured cloth by jacquard loom, a prototype of DDC weaving system for figured cloth has been developed. The system is consisted of the following equipments.1. Pattern Analyser, 2 . Paper Tape Reader 3 . Mini Computer, 4 . Actuator for Selecting Needles of a Jacquard Machine, 5 . Jacquard LoomThe signal processing and weaving in the system are performed as follows : (1) Colors and patterns in a sketch design are recognized by the pattern analyser, conver-ted into color pattern signal at run length and then punched out on a paper tape.(2) On weaving, color pattern signals read out from the sketch design are read into a mini computer and are converted into pattern weavingsignals, corresponding to on-off bit pattern of the pattern card, by a stored program.(3) The signals are sent to the actuators by a request signal from the jacquard loom and needles of a jacquard machine are selected by the signal synchronously with cycle of the loom motion.Thus, a figured cloth is automatically woven according to a sketch design. Since highly skil-lful craftmens techniques for production of pattern cards can be stored as a program, it is easy to weave a highly complicated figured cloth only by changing a color pattern tape andby resetting a design of fabric. The performance of the prototype shows that it seems possible to realize labor-saving and speed-up of the patterning work of jacquard weaving process requiring many workers.