JACQUARD MACHINES
The term Jacquard Weaving may be applied to all harness weaving that is above the range of harness shafts, so that a jacquard machine is simply a shedding motion whereby a large variety of sheds may be formed. The greater the number of lifting hooks contained in a machine, the greater will be the range of patterns that may be woven. Jacquard machines range from 100 to 2600 hooks.
Since its introduction the jacquard machine has undergone many changes in regard to the methods of operating the different parts of the machine, but the principles remain the same.
Jacquard machines may be classed under four heads, as follows: First, Single Action Machines, meaning single cylinder machines; second, Double-Lift Single Cylinder Machines; third, Double Action Machines, meaning double-lift and two cylinders; and fourth, Rise and Fall Machines, which have a close-shed motion. There are also special machines.
When speaking of a jacquard, all the parts comprising the machine and the harnesses are included. These may be classified as follows:
(a) A number of wire hooks placed vertically in the frame of the machine.
(b) A number of wire needles placed horizontally between the wire hooks.
(c) A number of springs at one end of the needles.
(d) Tail cords or neck bands attached to the bottom of the wire hooks.
(e) Harness threads which are attached to a coupling that passes through the comber board.