Projectile versus Rapier Economics for Heavy Fabrics
topic
The economic comparison between projectile and rapier weaving for heavy fabric production considers the lower weaving speed of projectile looms at 180 to 320 picks per minute versus rapier at 200 to 400 picks per minute for heavy yarns, offset by the wider available widths of projectile looms, the positive gripping advantage for irregular heavy yarns, the higher maintenance cost of the projectile mechanism, and the lower capital cost of replacing used Sulzer projectile looms available in the secondhand market compared to new rapier looms of equivalent width capability.
Role
Guides the technology selection decision for heavy and wide-width fabric production by quantifying the production economics of each technology option for specific fabric categories, with the availability of well-maintained used Sulzer projectile looms at low capital cost making projectile weaving economically competitive with new rapier installations for many heavy technical fabric applications where the capital cost difference justifies the maintenance intensity and operational complexity of projectile weaving.