Weaving Process

Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling. The method in which these threads are inter woven affects the characteristics of the cloth.

The way the warp and filling threads interlace with each other is called the weave. The majority of woven products are created with one of three basic weaves:plain weave, satin weave, or twill. Woven cloth can be plain (in one colour or a simple pattern), or can be woven in decorative or artistic design.

Cloth is usuallly woven on a loom, a device that holds the warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them. Weft is an old English word meaning "that which is woven". A fabric band which meets this definition of cloth (warp threads with a weft thread winding between) can also be made using other methods, including tablet weaving, back-strap, or other techniques without looms.

Weaving the way towards energy conservation

The recent debt crisis in the two major markets, Europe and the US, appears to have put the entire textile and apparel industry in an uncertain position. On top of that, massive pressures have mounted with the spiraling raw materials prices and labor costs. Under such circumstances, weavers in particular are struggling to survive. The most daunting challenge faced by textile weavers, according to Swiss weaving machinery maker Stäubli, is to respond quickly to the rapidly changing market demand, where there is already overcapacity in fabric production, and the prices are low. To help them improve their competitiveness, weaving machinery suppliers have worked to develop new technologies. But what is the leading direction for the development of weaving machinery? The latest developments in weaving machines lie in energy conservation, high productivity, high performance, flexibility, consistent fabric quality and versatility in terms of applications, said Dr Hua Tao, Instructor of Institute of Textiles and Clothing of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, at the recent Review Seminar on ITMA 2011 in Hong Kong. His views were echoed. "Energy saving and sustainability will continue to be important in weaving machinery's development. However, the machines must be easy to operate and maintain low price, durability and flexibility to produce not just one particular product but a range of products," noted Reinhard Furrer, Marketing & Sales of Stäubli Sargans Ag.