Artisan Loom design cont.
So, since we had developed our intended goals for our new loom (cut down the warping time of weaving projects by 50% and re-warp by 75% with less aches and pains) we were on our way. We identified several ideas to handle these goals. However, as I hope to demonstrate, once you start down the path of development with goals driving the design, you don’t always end up where you thought you would.
The idea of changing heddle positions from harness to harness, within the loom, was only part of the issue. The actual threading of the heddles required a hook. From our design of our wheels, you might gather, we don’t like the requirements of additional tools, unless it is absolutely required. Our open orifice was an attempt to make spinning easier. Who would have known that the open orifice would facilitate art yarns as well as our goal of easy setup of the wheel. Not us, we would like to take credit for that, but honestly, we kind of fell into it, thanks to the help our great dealer network and users feed back!
Our initial thought for the heddle, was to to make the eyelet, not an eyelet at all, but open from the top. We had decided early in the development, that the Jack style loom was the simplest, and most efficient. Since the Jack looms only pushed the harnesses upward, we had no need to capture the warp from a downward pull. The tension of the warp would keep the warp at the bottom of the heddle, naturally. So we drew up a long “U” for the eyelet. By this point we had already found a company to help us with the metal stamping that would be required to manufacture this part. We send the design to the company, and they were perplexed as how to manufacture the designed heddle.
Metal stamping is as much art as it is science. The major issue was, this long (6in) toothpick of a splinter hanging off the side of our heddle. The heddles need to be stamped, cleared of remnant fragments, and polished. The polish was the major problem. You can’t polish a loose piece of metal that moves freely. So after long discussions, we decided on a bridge across the top of the heddle. This would allow the heddle to stay in one piece for polish. We would be left with a 6in whole, that would easily be threadable without the use of tool, and if the user wants to remove the bridge, the warp can easily be dropped into the eyelet from the top. So what started as a complete open eyelet design, ended up as a heddle that can be changed from one harness to another, and a huge 6in eyelet that can easily be threaded by hand (no hook required) meeting our primary goals!
As I will mention many times, where we start and where we go is driven by the goals. We got where we wanted to go, but the form is always the surprise.
At this point, we have submitted out heddle design, and is in the process of being prototype. In the next few postings, we will put up some pictures of the prototype, and maybe a video of how it works.
Stay tune for more, as we continue down the road of our design.
Hi, my hubby and I met you guys at Fibers Through Time, I’m looking forward to reading more about your loom design!
HI I am very interested in the development of your new loom, are you planning to make it also in a small (16inchmaybe) size 4 shaft loom, would really love a small 4 shaft easy to warp and easy to use. I live in Tasmania, Australia and breed angora rabbits and alpacas to spin and weave. I am interested to learn more about your new wheel you are developing, look forward to hearing more of this soon cheers for now Maree in Tassie
Great to hear from you! We have a surprise for you, later in this series. We came up with a few new ideas since the show, so stay tune… Thanks for stopping by. Kris and Mike
To be honest, we are still open to both table tops and floor looms. I believe both will be developed. Stay tuned, we have some very exciting development ideas coming up on this series soon. Thanks for stopping by! Kris and Mike
Thankyou for your reply, keep me posted , also in the spinof mag article you mentioned a planetary spinning wheel being developed, what exactly is a planetary system , am keen to hear about that in the future also. and also something about a small roving drumcarder, would love to have a carder for the angora that spits out a roving, Angora is a nightmare to get off a normal drumcarder, I am so looking forward to these developments. bye for now Maree
HI still dreaming about a small table loom easy to use, and a 4 inch roving drumcarder, looking forward to my dreams coming true, look forward to hearing more news soon, bye for now Maree in Tasmania
How about improving on the reed. You wonder why it has yet to be done. Something with a removable top bar, so the yarn can be dropped in rather than threaded. It would also make for easy replacement of the warp.
HI Claire,
Thanks for the input. Mike and I have discussed the reed. Once we have finished the loom, we will attack the reed. There will be a lot of tooling expense with the redesign of the reed, and we don’t want to hold up the development of the loom as a whole. We were leaning towards a reed were the top would release to thread it, then pop the top back on for stability during the “beating” process. Also, toeing out every other segment of the reed for easier threading. What do you think.
Kris
HI yes a reed with a easy drop in would still need to have a top to pop back on or you run the risk of unthreading when the reed is lifted or moved….. still hoping for news soon re the little roving drumcarder. cant wait to see all the new things as they are developed. bye for now Maree Hamming in Tasmania Australia
HI, from Maree in Tassie, any news about the loom or the the roving drumcarder yet,? all the best