All these details are best worked out by experience. Webs are generally fed into the machine from racks after being properly wound up, and great care must be taken to avoid any variable tension on the webs when entering the machine.
On lisle webs, a process of gassing or singeing takes place prior to finishing for the purpose of removing any fuzz or fibre from the goods. Fig. 4 shows a gassing machine used for this purpose. It is run at a high rate of speed and several strips are gassed at once. When the machine is running the flames are close to the web, but upon the stopping of the machine the flames are carried away out of contact. In gassing white and colors, great care must be exercised to have the gas mixture correct and free from any carbonizing effect on the goods.
Chapter X.
Embossing Webs—Type of Construction and Design for Which Process is Adapted—Braiding Flat Elastic Fabrics, Plain Cords for Athletics and Airplanes, and Fancy Cords—How Sizes Are Indicated—Difference Between Woven and Braided Effects
The embossing of classic fabrics is a form of elaboration which is not adapted for long stretch webs.
It has been confined mostly to goods of short stretch, suitable for use in the manufacture of suspenders. In long stretch webs the patterns will not stand out prominently for any length of time. After repeated stretchings and wear, they lose much of the desirable sharpness of detail, and become flat and indistinct. Twills and loose weaves of a similar character should be avoided for embossing. The best results are obtained on firm, closely woven plain webs which take the impress of the design with clearness and retain it for a greater length of time.
Designs Suitable for Embossing
In planning such work it is well to avoid designs which run for any great length with the warp, and to select effects where the general run of the design is at an angle to the direction of the warp threads, rather than with them. This will prolong the life of the figure.