Multi-Colour Weft Insertion in Air-Jet Weaving
topic
Air-jet multi-colour weft insertion uses tandem nozzle systems with 2 to 4 main nozzles each connected to one weft colour, with the loom controller selecting the active nozzle for each pick to insert the programmed colour sequence, with the non-selected nozzles having their air supply closed, and with the four-colour maximum being a practical limit from the mechanical and aerodynamic constraints of accommodating multiple nozzles at the shed entry position and maintaining reliable insertion from each nozzle in the multi-nozzle array.
Role
Provides the multi-colour capability required for striped and colour-pattern air-jet fabrics within the four-colour limitation that constrains air-jet to simpler colour designs compared to the 16-colour capability of rapier looms, with the four-colour limit making air-jet multi-colour weaving suitable for simple stripe fabrics, pick-and-pick two-colour effects, and basic colour mixing but unsuitable for the complex multicolour Jacquard designs that require rapier multi-colour capability.