Projectile Guidance and Receiving Systems
topic
Projectile flight guidance uses a series of guide teeth integrated into the reed that form a channel directing the projectile along its flight path through the shed, with guide tooth profile designed to maintain projectile lateral position while minimising contact friction and yarn damage, and with the receiving mechanism at the opposite selvedge using a hydraulic or mechanical brake that decelerates the projectile from 20 metres per second to rest within 150 millimetres while absorbing the kinetic energy through controlled deceleration.
Role
Ensures reliable projectile flight through the shed by maintaining the trajectory within the shed boundaries and safely decelerating the projectile at arrival, with guide tooth wear being a primary maintenance concern from the repeated high-velocity projectile contact that progressively widens the guide channel and reduces trajectory control accuracy, requiring regular inspection and guide replacement to maintain the precision that prevents projectile-to-warp contact causing warp damage.