Loom Parameter
Technical measurements define the maximum drawing-in width of the warp threads through the comb-like beating element of a weaving machine. In linen weaving mills, the reed space determines the maximum width of the woven fabric that can be produced on a specific loom. This boundary limits the horizontal dimension of the grey cloth before it undergoes washing, dyeing and finishing.
Machine operators set this width during the warp preparation phase to ensure the edges of the cloth are properly formed.
Weaving Width
Tensioned warp threads are spaced evenly across this width to ensure uniform density and to prevent selvage tears during the insertion of the weft yarn. When selecting a loom for a specific order, engineers must calculate the reed space to account for the substantial shrinkage that occurs when linen is washed and finished. This shrinkage can reduce the finished fabric width by up to fifteen percent compared to the on-loom width.
The calculated value is recorded on the loom setup sheet before weaving begins, ensuring that the yarn tension is optimized for the specific density required. This precise calculation protects the warp threads from excessive strain during the high-speed motion of the rapier or air-jet shuttle.
Fabric Specification
Mill managers use this parameter to allocate production orders among different loom sizes to maximize efficiency and minimize yarn waste. The reed space must be selected to match the buyer’s requested finished fabric width after shrinkage. This planning avoids the need to trim excess woven material from the edges of the completed roll.
The chosen dimension is documented in the technical specification sheet of the weaving contract.
