Let Off

4/1/2020 NPTEL :: Textile Engineering - Fabric Manufacture - I
9. Secondary Motion
9.2 Let-off Motion
Objective of Let-off Motion
The objective of let-off motion is to maintain the free length of warp within specified limits and to control the
warp tension by means of feeding the warp at a correct rate to the weaving zone.
Classification
Let-off motion is classified as negative and positive let-off. In case of negative let-off, warp is pulled from the
warper’s beam against a slipping-friction system. For positive let-off system, warp beam is rotated through
driving mechanism at a controlled rate in order to maintain constant warp tension.
Negative Let-Off
The negative let-off mechanism is illustrated in the Figure 9.6. In this case, the warp is pulled off the warp
beam and warp tension is governed by the friction between chain and the beam ruffle.
Figure 9.6: Negative let-off motion

The chain makes some wrap over the ruffle. Slack side of the chain is attached with the machine frame
whereas the tight side is attached with the weight lever. The lever is fulcrumed at one end with the machine
frame. The other end carries dead weights.
Notations:
R = radius of warp on the beam
r = beam ruffle radius
Tt = tension in the chain on tight side (attached with the weight lever)
Ts = tension in the chain on slack side (attached with machine frame)
W= weight
x = the distance between fulcrum point and chain on tight side
y = the distance between fulcrum point and weight (variable)
T = tension in the warp sheet (variable)
F = frictional force at the beam ruffle

Taking moments about the beam centre we have:
TR=Fr
The frictional force F =Tt - Ts
https://nptel.ac.in/courses/116/102/116102005/ 1/3
where μ= coefficient of friction between chain and beam ruffle

and θ = angle of wrap in radian made by the chain on beam ruffle.
Now, taking moments about the fulcrum H of the lever, we have:
Equation 5 shows that the condition needed to achieve a constant warp tension is to maintain the ratio
constant. Thus as beam radius R reduces, the distance y must be reduced by moving the weight towards the
fulcrum H in regular interval to balance the warp tension. For example, if the beam radius decreases by 25%,
the distance y must be reduced by 25% to maintain a constant warp tension.
As shown in Figures 9.7, the warp tension is maintained within a small range from full beam to empty beam
by shifting the weights at regular intervals. It is also noted that the frequency of weight shifting increases
towards the beam is getting exhausted. This is ascribed to the asymptotic relationship between warp tension
and warp radius on the beam.
Hypothetical Example
Let the initial diameter of the warper’s beam is 100 cm. The allowable increase in warp tension is 25% of
nominal level. So, when the beam diameter will be 80 cm, the warp tension will increase by 25%. The weaver
will adjust the position of the weight so that the tension will come back to nominal level. In second step, when
the beam diameter will reduce to 64 cm, the warp tension will again increase by 25%. Therefore, first weight
shifting will be done after 20 cm reduction in beam diameter whereas the second weight shifting will happen
after 16 cm reduction in beam diameter. So, as the beam weaves down the shifting of weight will be more
frequent.
Figure 9.7: Warp tension vs. beam radius

Positive Let-off
In case of positive let-off warp, the warp tension is controlled by a mechanism which drives the warp beam at a
correct rate. In most of the positive let-off systems, the backrest is not fixed but floating. It acts as a warp
tension sensing mechanism. As the tension in the warp increases, the backrest is depressed. A Hunt positive
let-off motion is ilustrated in the Figure 9.8. There are two split pullyes made out of V-pulley. Motion from
crank shaft moves the top split pulley via a worm and worm wheel. Top pulley in turn drives the bottom pulley
through a belt. As the tension on the warp increases the back rest goes down and the L-type lever with weight
lowers the diameter of the bottom pulley and essentially increases the diameter of the top pulley through the
necessary linkages. Now the bottom pulley moves at a faster rate than it was earlier and the connecting worm
to the beam drive moves more to deliver extra warp in order to reduce the warp tension.
Figure 9.8: Hunt positive let-off motion
Copyright IIT Delhi © 2009-2011. All rights reserved.

Let Off

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Let Off

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Let Off

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4/1/2020 NPTEL :: Textile Engineering - Fabric Manufacture - I

Figure 9.6: Negative let-off motion

r = beam ruffle radius

Ts = tension in the chain on slack side (attached with machine frame)

x = the distance between fulcrum point and chain on tight side

y = the distance between fulcrum point and weight (variable)

T = tension in the warp sheet (variable)

F = frictional force at the beam ruffle

where μ= coefficient of friction between chain and beam ruffle

Now, taking moments about the fulcrum H of the lever, we have:

Figure 9.7: Warp tension vs. beam radius

Figure 9.8: Hunt positive let-off motion

Copyright IIT Delhi © 2009-2011. All rights reserved.

You might also like