Stop Mark Prevention

Tension Adjustment

Modern rapier looms utilize electronic take-up and let-off motors to adjust the tension of the warp and weft before restarting the cycle. When the loom stops to fix a warp break, the warp yarn is held under tension, which causes it to creep or relax over time. To counteract this relaxation, the control computer backs off the warp yarn slightly before restarting, and then applies a compensated force on the first few picks to match the normal tension.

This prevents a thick or thin band of weft yarns, known as a stop mark, from appearing in the cloth.

Finishing Validation

Inspection teams scan the finished linen fabric for any remaining structural marks before the material goes to the dyeing and finishing department. These tension-induced defects are highly visible after dyeing, as the compressed or loose yarns absorb the dye differently, creating permanent streaks across the width of the fabric. Mills that implement effective mechanical and digital prevention methods reduce their waste and increase the percentage of high-grade fabric that meets the buyer’s requirements.