The first project I started working on was COMPUTER CONTROLLED DOBBY MACHINE. Normally dobby machine being one which has many harnesses (4-16) and which enables the user to make different patterns on the fabric by varying the pattern of the harness lifting and the weft.
Why I Preferred this project?
2 Years back, I, together with my friends made a research on the import-export of fabrics and clothes for our country and we found that the poor country has such a huge volume to export to the world at a surprisingly low price and clothes are imported at a high cost, and it made us to try to make an improved weaving machine to contribute to local market and we had invented a 16 harness totally Mechanical system and trained people on that.
After all these 9 Months training in Fab Academy, I felt better in controlling the machine from a programmed circuit board, increasing production Rate, which ultimately will supply to the huge inland market with quality and variety.
I found the project so wide that I decided to work first with Only TWO HARNESSES for this time and I will continue working on the machine controlling system for 16 harness.So this project is still under progress.
What Is Possible to Make with Dobby-Looms
In this project I applied:
. Computer-Aided Design and Production
I used Rhinoceros for modelling and the Laser cutting and CNC machining to make the parts
. PCB prodution
. Embedded Programming
. Some supporting Ideas from the Examples, like Mantis in Machine Design Class
The Machine Construction
Basic Motion
I modified Neil’s code for DC motor control using an H-bridge so that it will suit the time and span of the harness lifting. You can see the short video how the motion of the ROTATION of the DC motor could be mapped to the UP and DOWN movement of the Harness.
UNFORTUNATELY, my DC motors to lift the harnesses together with the tension load from the warps needed to be bigger than the one I used while testing. So I tried to find both higher Voltage regulator and change the micro controller, but it was too late and I wanted to show the motions with another tool, Arduino using servo-motors . But I would like to stick with the PCBs as they are cheaper so long as we have the right tools to make them
You can see the Movement of the machine from the short video that follows.
The Future
In the future I would like
. To make different models for size and complexity
. To make a USER INTERFACE APPLICATION for the machine
. To make online documentations
. To have Sample patterns that the user can use as templets
The Distribution
When the machine is fully functional, it will be ready for distribution and the Distribution will include:
. Web page showing updates and details of the machine
. Manual including Assembly and Care Instruction
. CD including Training and Sample Designs for the user
Electronic Dobby Weaving Machine
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