Calculating Loom Reed Width and Warp End Density for Plain Weaves
Derive loom reed width by compounding greige take-up and wet finishing contraction percentages onto target cuttable width while balancing dent air space ratios.
Tuck-in Selvedge
Edge Formation
Shuttleless fabric edge mechanisms classify a firm, doubled fabric border created by tucking severed weft ends back into the open warp shed on subsequent picks. Technical production specifications define tuck-in selvedge as a neat mechanical edge formation where cut filling tails are folded inward by air nozzles or mechanical pneumatic hooks to form a smooth self-bound margin. The technique applies to high-speed rapier and air-jet machines processing heavy to medium weight fabrics, terminating where leno binding or fused thermal edges replace tucking devices.
Mechanical Mechanism
Pneumatic or mechanical tucking units capture the trailing edge of severed filling yarn immediately after beat-up. As the shed opens for the next pick, a small hook or directed air stream pushes the loose yarn tail into the outer warp ends. The incoming filling pick then covers the tucked tail, securing it firmly within the edge structure without requiring additional binding yarns or auxiliary leno motions.
Thickness Excess
Doubling weft density at fabric margins increases border thickness relative to the fabric center.
Garment Integration
Garment cutting rooms evaluate edge thickness and selvage stability to ensure smooth fabric laying on automatic spreading tables. Thick tuck-in borders cause build-up on table edges during multi-ply spreading, requiring edge trimming prior to pattern cutting. Quality inspectors inspect tuck-in width consistency to confirm that folded tails remain securely anchored during continuous washing, scouring and stentering processes.
Determining Reed Width Requirements from Yarn Takeoff Data
Determining required loom reed width requires converting unraveled weft yarn takeoff data into take-up fractions and adding wet processing shrinkage allowances.