BASIC KNOWLEDGE ON SECONDARY AND AUXILIARY MOTIONS OF

WEAVING MACHINE AND THEIR TECHNOLOGY

(WEFT FORK MOTION)
Chapter-3

AUXILIARY MECHANISM
(WEFT FORK MOTION)
WEFT STOP MOTION

1.0 Definition & Objective

This Auxiliary Motion is required to stop the loom as soon as the weft being inserted,
breaks in transit or when there is no weft in the shuttle. The motion helps to avoid
formation of “cracks” in the fabric. This motion is very much essential for –

(a) high speed looms

(b) looms producing expensive fabrics
1.2 Types of Weft Stop Motion
There are two types of Weft Stop Motion
(a) Side Weft Fork Motion
(b) Centre Weft Fork Motion
1.2.1 Side Weft Fork Motion
Description
(a) This motion is fitted to one side of the loom, i.e., near the
starting handle.
(b) A cam B is fixed to the bottom shaft A.
(c) The cam touches a hammer lever C which is connected to a
hammer D.
(d) A weft fork E made of light metal, having three prongs bent
at right angles, is fulcrumed at its front end F by a screwed
spindle G. This G is coupled with the starting handle J.
(e) A channel or groove K is cut into the race board L to guide
the fork when the sley comes forward to beat up the weft.
(f) However, the fork is undisturbed so long as it is touched by
the weft lying across the channel from the selvedge to the
shuttle in the box.
(g) Between the end of the reed and mouth of the box is a grid,
which acts as a support for the weft H and enables it to raise
the weft fork.
Working
(a) When the bottom shaft rotates, the cam also rotates.
(b) The hammer lever C moves up and down causing hammer D
to move forward and backward.
(c) Since the hammer D gets its motion from the bottom shaft it
will get only one forward and one backward movement for
every two picks.
Presence of Weft
(a) When the loom is running, the weft lies in between the fork
and the grid.
(b) So the fork tilts and the hooked tail end is raised and is
cleared off the hammer and the loom continues to run.
Absence of Weft
(a) In case weft is absent, the prongs of the fork will pass
through the grid freely and remain horizontal.
(b) When the hammer D moves forward it carries the fork with
it.
(c) The fork in turn moves the weft fork lever I which therefore
knocks off the starting handle J.
(d) The driving belt is shifted from the fast pulley to the loose
one and the loom is stopped.
Defects in Side Weft-Fork Motion

 This motion works only once for every two picks since the hammer gets only one
forward and only one backward movement for every rotation of the bottom shaft.

 If the prongs are not correctly set, they may cut the weft yarn.

 If there is irregular tension in the weft, weft loops may occur.

 Broken picks may result if the weft fork fails to work.

Important points to note while setting the weft fork motion
(1) The weft fork might be a possible source of weft cutting if it protrudes too far through the weft fork grate (grid).
(2) The grate must be smooth.
(3) The weft fork prongs, during the forward movement of the reed, should not touch the grate wires or any part of
the grate or raceboard groove.
(4) The weft fork prongs protrude neither too less nor too far through the grate.
(5) The clearance between the hook tail of the fork and the notch of the weft fork hammer is very important. If the
clearance is too wide the weft thread may not keep the hook tail raised till the tail is clear off the weft fork
hammer notch. This will result in unnecessary knock off of the loom even though the weft has not broken. On the
other hand, if the clearance is too close the hammer notch then this may prevent the hook tail from getting lifted
when the weft thread applies pressure on the prongs.
(6) The fork must be properly balanced so that the tail end is slightly heavier than the forked end.
(7) An accumulation of fluffs at the base of the grate will unnecessarily press the prongs of the fork thus raising the tail
end when no weft is present. This will make the loom run without the presence of weft.
(8) The said play in the rocking rail and sley might cause the grate foul the fork. Sometimes loose cranks might also
cause this trouble.
(9) Weft thread catching on the prongs because of inadequate tension which will cause the loom to run on.
(10) Bent prongs, binding of the fork through rust on the fulcrum pin, fork fulcrum worn out etc. might affect the good
working of the mechanism.
(11) Faulty timing of the hammer lever may cause the loom running even after the failure of the weft.
(12) Weak or late picking from the off side of the loom may cause the shuttle to strike the prongs and damage it.
(13) Insufficient tension in the weft fail to lift the fork sufficiently causing the loom stoppage.
(14) If the hammer lever begins to move too soon before the weft has time to lift the fork tail clear, the loom will
continue in stopping condition.