One of humanity's oldest handicrafts

Weaving is one of the oldest methods for textile fabric construction. Woven fabrics have long been used to create delicate and elaborate patterning.

The first evidence of woven structures dates to the Stone Age. Humans have been using weaving looms to construct fabrics since the beginning of civilization. From the vertical loom and high warp loom to the treadle loom, weaving technology has been steadily refined over the centuries.

Nowadays, industrial weaving machines are being used in very different applications. Groz-Beckert supplies the right accessories and machines for weaving preparation.

The basics of weaving

The principle behind weaving has proven itself over thousands of years. Even today, warp and weft threads are crossed at right angles to each other.

Warp threads are those which run lengthwise in the fabric, while weft is the transverse thread.

The pattern resulting from this crossing is called weave. A standard weave is plain weave, in which each weft thread runs alternately over and under the warp yarns. Many more patterns and pattern derivatives are possible with other weaves.

Groz-Beckert products in use

The manufacture of woven textiles is known as the weaving process. A wide variety of components come into play here.

Before the weaving process can begin, the warp threads must be pulled through the drop wires, healds and reeds. Groz-Beckert supplies the appropriate machines for this step in the weaving process.

The actual weaving starts in the next step. Groz-Beckert's warp stop motion system constantly monitors the warp thread.

The combination of Groz-Beckert heald frames and healds forms one of the most important components in the weaving process. One warp thread runs through the thread eye of each heald. If a heald frame moves, the healds aligned in it move, thereby also moving the warp threads. The raising and lowering of the heald frames results in an open shed into which the weft thread is inserted.

The last component in the weaving process is the reed, which pushes the weft yarn into place while maintaining alignment of the warp yarns. This brings the yarn intersections together into a fabric.

Variety via woven fabrics

From light and open to heavy and dense fabric, patterning possibilities are endless. Depending on fiber and weave, a wide variety of textiles for different applications can be constructed.

1. Fabrics for clothing textiles

Clothing is by far the largest market for woven fabric. Shirts, pants, shoes, protective and clean-room clothing are just a few examples of woven textiles with different features.

1. Fabrics for home textiles

Many home textiles such as curtains, carpets and upholstery are constructed with very different types of weaves. Special jacquard technology is often used here for patterning.

1. Woven fabric for technical textiles

Woven fabrics for the automotive industry, textile construction, facades, interior decoration and logistics are finding more applications. Such high-tech fabric is subject to specific requirements for high tensile strength and elongation.