MULTIFUNCTION STROBE

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR LOOMS WITH NCP SYSTEM
RAPIER AND AIR JET

Code C9KMXBB.1
10 - 2013
 MULTIFUNCTION STROBE
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FOR LOOMS WITH NCP SYSTEM
RAPIER AND AIR JET
Manufacturer’s address:

ITEMA S.p.A.

Via Cav. Gianni Radici, 4

24020 COLZATE (BG) Italy

Legal and Administrative Offices

Via Cav. Gianni Radici, 4 - 24020 COLZATE (BG) Italy
Commercial Offices
Via Cav. Gianni Radici, 4 - 24020 COLZATE (BG) Italy
Tel. (+39) 035 7282111 Fax (+39) 035 740505 E-mail: info@itemagroup.com
Customer Service
Via Cav. Gianni Radici, 4 - 24020 COLZATE (BG) Italy
Tel. (+39) 0357285111 Fax (+39) 035 7285400
E-mail: customerservice.itemaweaving@itemagroup.com

All rights reserved. The text and graphics in this manual are the sole property of
ITEMA S.p.A.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted to third parties without the prior
permission of ITEMA S.p.A.

ITEMA S.p.A. reserves the right to make changes to this manual without notice.
 USER MANUAL

MULTIFUNCTION STROBE
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Contents
1 INTRODUCTION

2 INFORMATION

3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

4 CONNECTION

5 STROBOSCOPE
5.1 The key functions
5.2 Function
5.3 Synchronization on the colour
5.4 Synchronization on the pick of the selector pattern
5.5 Synchronization on the weave pick

6 ETD AND EWC CONTROL

6.1 control
6.2 - control

7 CONTROL FUNCTIONS
7.1 Angular position
7.2 Input and output signals diagnosis

8 MEASUREMENT FUNCTIONS
8.1 Warp tension measurement
8.2 Weft tension measurement
8.3 Reed calibration
8.3.1 Method of use

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MULTIFUNCTION INSTRUMENT
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

1 INTRODUCTION
The instrument called the , to be used both on airjet and raper looms with NCP
system, allows the operator to carry out a series of tests so that the mechanical-textile set up of the
machine can be carried out correctly, easily and rapidly.
It is also used as an efficient investigation tool to facilitate the identification and subsequent removal
of any textile imperfections, and mechanical or electrical defects.
The , equipped with the correct accessories, can be used to carry out the following
functions:

- STROBOSCOPE rapid flashing of light to see the stationary image of devices

in movement

- ETD (take-up roller)

and EWC (beam) wind /let off functions

- ANGULAR POSITION for displaying the angular position (degrees) of the loom

- ELECTRICAL SIGNALS for diagnosis of the electrical input and output signals

- WARP THREAD TENSION for measuring the warp thread tension

- WEFT THREAD TENSION for measuring the weft thread tension

- REED CALIBRATION for plotting the graph for reed calibration

WARNING: the multifunction instrument is a terminal of the loom central

processor and as such the functions available are determined by the software
version installed on the loom.

2 INFORMATION
When using the , pay attention to the following:

• never cover the ventilation holes

• never cover the light emitting window
• do not expose to heat sources
• do not expose to excessive humidity
• switch off after use
• if there is a malfunction, contact the qualified staff of PROMATECH.

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4 2

5 3

C
6

1 D

Fig. 1

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3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 shows the diagram of the instrument. It is made up of the following parts
and functions:

A) CONNECTOR to connect the stroboscope to the secondary switchboard of the loom

B) DISPLAY displays the degrees at which the flashing is generated and shows the
symbols of all the functions
C) KEYBOARD according to the function selected, the keys have different uses even though
they maintain a uniformity in their use

1) selection key of the main functions of the

2) key for moving to the previous page within each function

3)
key for moving to the next page within each function

4)
key for ETD / EWC winding control and to increase the active parameter.

5)
key for ETD / EWC let-off control and to decrease the active parameter.

6)
key for specific functions linked to the active display
(switching on the light beam in the stroboscope function)

7) key for specific functions linked to the active display

(switching off the light beam in the stroboscope function)

D) knob for rapid adjustment of a parameter

In the stroboscope function, this allows us to increase or decrease the loom
degrees at which flashing is to occur

E) CONNECTOR 17-pole connector for connecting the control devices

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4 CONNECTION (Figs. 1 - 2)

The N instrument, supplied

by ITEMA, has a connection cable long
enough to enable its use in any position on
the loom.
Plug connector A into the socket XC05 on the
main panel.

N.B. This connection can be carried out with

the loom in any state (off with switchboard
on, running or with switchboard off).

Once connected, display B will switch on and

the is ready for use.

Fig. 2

XC05

5 STROBOSCOPE
The main feature of a stroboscopic light (rapid flashing) is that it allows us to see the stationary image
of an object which would otherwise be invisible to the human eye because of its rapid movement.
The best results are obtained using the stroboscope with little ambient light in order to accentuate the
contrast between the image of the stationary part and the image of the part in movement.

The following operations can be carried out with the stroboscope function:

• the stationary image of any moving device concerning each loom pick. function.
• the stationary image of any moving device concerning insertion of a particular colour (weft) in the

shed. ............. function, depending on the number of nozzles on the loom.

• the stationary image of any moving device concerning a particular pick in the selector pattern.

function.

• the stationary image of any moving device concerning a particular pick in the weave pattern.

function.

5.1 The key functions

key for switching on the stroboscopic light beam

key for switching off the stroboscopic light beam

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key for moving to the previous page of each function

key for moving to the next page of each function

knob for increasing or decreasing loom degrees at which the flashing is to occur to

capture the movement of a particular device

5.2 Function

With the key, change the page on the display until the following appears:

off

With the key, switch on the stroboscope and the following will be displayed:

on

With the knob , set the angular position of the loom (degrees) at which the moving device image
is to be captured. The following page shows an image made to appear stationary at 320°

Once synchronization has been set, the angular position of the loom (degrees) can be increased by

turning the knob in a clockwise direction until the next pick is reached. This can be done up
to a maximum of 9 picks.
The angular position of the loom (degrees) can be decreased by rotating the knob in an anticlockwise
direction until the previous pick is reached. This can be done up to a maximum of 260° of the previous
pick (-1).

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5.3 Synchronization on the colour

Press the key to pass to the activation of the light beam flashing, synchronized on the pick for
insertion of a particular colour (weft). The following display shows that the light beam is directed on
a device which is associated to colour 1 with the image captured at 320°

Press the key to pass to the activation of the light beam flashing, synchronized on the pick
for insertion of other colours (weft). The following page shows that the device is associated to colour
4.

Once synchronization has been set, the angular position of the loom (degrees) can be increased by

turning the knob in a clockwise direction until the next pick is reached. This can be done up
to a maximum of 9 picks.
The angular position of the loom (degrees) can be decreased by rotating the knob in an anticlockwise
direction until the previous pick is reached. This can be done up to a maximum of 260° of the previous
pick (-1).
Page for next pick

Page for previous pick

In order to return to the previous colour and the function, press the key.

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5.4 Synchronization on the pick of the selector pattern

From the or function, press the key, even several times, to pass to the
function and the following page will be displayed:

This function allows us to capture the image at a particular pick of the selector pattern.
Example: selector pattern consisting of 42 wefts as follows
Colour 1 x once (pick No. 1)
Colour 2 x 20 times (pick from No. 2 to 21)
Colour 3 x once (pick No. 22)
Colour 4 x 20 times (pick from No. 23 to 42)
on the display it is summarized

and if we want to capture the image of the weft insertion at pick No. 10 of colour 2.

From the page, press the key until the following is displayed:

Press the key to set pick No. 10.

Press the to return to the page and using the knob set the loom degrees.

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5.5 Synchronization on the weave pick

From the , or function, press the key, even several times, to pass to
the function and the following will be displayed:

This function allows us to capture the image at a particular pick of the weave pattern.
Example: weave consisting of 10 wefts summarized on the display as follows:

and we want to capture the image at pick No. 10

From the page, press the key until the following appears:

Press the key to set pick No. 10.

Press the key to return to the page and using the knob set the loom degrees.

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6 ETD AND EWC CONTROL

With the ETD and EWC control function, the instrument can control the wind/let-off

functions of both the take-up roller and the beam. In order to access this function, press the
key until the following page is displayed:

warp tension

N.B. The warp tension value is the same value as that given in the "Load cell calibration" page
at Real tension (points).

6.1 control
With the ETD control function, press the (let-off) key and the take-up roller will rotate in a
backwards direction and loosen the fabric tension. The tension value will decrease on the display.

Press the key (wind) and the take-up roller will move in a forwards direction, increasing the fabric
tension. The tension value will increase on the display.

6.2 - control
With the function, press the key to pass to the EWC control function.

Press the (let-off) and the warp beam will rotate in a forwards direction and loosen the warp thread
tension. The tension value will decrease on the display.

Press the (wind) and the warp beam will rotate in a backwards direction and increase the warp
thread tension. The tension value will increase on the display.

In order to pass from the function to the and viceversa, press either or keys.

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7 CONTROL FUNCTIONS
The instrument can be used as a device to control:
• the angular position (degrees) of the loom
• the diagnosis of the electrical input and output signals

In order to access these functions, press the key until the following page is displayed:

angular position (degrees)

7.1 Angular position

With the function, the angular position (degrees) at which the loom can be found at that
precise instant is displayed.

7.2 Input and output signals diagnosis

From the function, press the key to pass to the following pages:

Input signals Input address

position of the Yellow lit leds

leds

led No. 16 led No.1

Output signals Output address

position of the Red lit leds

leds

led No. 16 led No. 1

This diagnosis function of the input and output signals must be used when communicating with the
ITEMA After-sales service in the case of electronic problems. The user, at the request of the After-
sales service, will move to the reference address indicated and communicate the status of the LEDs.

In order to change the reference section, the key must be held down while turning the knob .

Press the or keys to pass to the Input and Output pages and viceversa.

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8 MEASUREMENT FUNCTIONS
The instrument can be used as a device for:

• measuring the warp thread tension

F
• measuring the weft thread tension
• plotting the reed calibration graph (just for air-jet looms)

The tension measuring head F is required for determining the warp

thread or weft thread tension, and device G, the pitot tube, is
required for calibrating the reed. These are connected to the G
instrument with connector E of Fig. 1. If the
accessories are not connected to connector E, the following page
will be displayed:

8.1 Warp tension measurement (Figs. 1 - 3)

Position head F with the appropriate clamp to the oval bar of the warp stop motion device, before the
drop wires and on a level with the left quarter of the beam (in front of the loom).
Pass the warp thread through the eyelet and above the sensor
of head F.
Connect the head F electrically to the
instrument using connector E of Fig.1.
Level the frames of the loom and slacken the
warp thread tension completely so that it is
completely loose when it runs through head F.

With the key, pass to the F

function and then with the key, pass to the

page:

Fig. 3

Hold the key down while turning the knob to reset the tension value (. ).

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Gradually increase the warp tension until it is at a suitable value for the style being woven.
Start up the loom and the actual tension of the thread during weaving will be shown on the display of
the instrument. Using head F connected to the instrument, the
graph of the examined thread tension can also be displayed on the console.

Go to the

and look at the "Ext. sensor tension graph".

Fig. 3a

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8.2 Weft tension measurement (Fig. 1 - 4)

Position the head F, using the appropriate
clamp, onto the pre-nozzle support (for air-jet),
ar onto the weft sensor (for the rapier looms) of
the weft to be checked. Pass the weft thread
through the eyelet and above the sensor of head
F.
Connect the head F electrically to the
instrument using the
connector E of Fig.1.
Slacken the weft thread tension completely so
that it is completely loose when it runs through
head F.

With the key, pass to the Fig. 4

F
function and then using the key, pass
to the page:

Hold the key down while turning the knob

to reset the tension value (. ).

Start up the loom and the actual tension of the weft thread during weaving will appear on the display
of the instrument.
In case of air-jet looms with the head F connected to the instrument, press the

and the

tension graph of the weft being examined is also displayed.

In case of rapier looms with the head F connected to the instrument, see the same
page used for the warp tension graph, see Fig. 3a.

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8.3 Calibration of the reed (Fig. 1 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12)

The function of reed calibration is to control the quantity of air that the reed allows to pass through
its dents. Using the graph displayed on the console, the evenness of reed construction can then be
determined.
To make use of this function, the appropriate device G of Fig. 5 called the reed pitot tube, which is
connected to the instrument using connector E of Fig.1, and the pressure regula-
tor H of Fig. 5 to connect to the air inlet L for external devices available on the loom, must be
present.

8.3.1 Method of use

The instrumentation required for the device is located in the small case provided, as shown in the
following photo.

Pressure regulator
Instrument for evaluating the
response of the pitot tube On-off valve

Reference reed

Compressed air sup-

Fig. 5 ply pipe

The parts must be assembled in order to use the instrument. This must be carried out in the follow-
ing way:
- section a portion of pipe of approximately 30 cm from one of the ends of the compressed air
supply pipe (to be performed only when using the pitot tube for the first time)
- insert the on-off valve (cutoff cock) between the two ends of pipe obtained using the appropriate
quick couplings. The valve should be closed – rotate the lever to the off position.
- connect the end of the supply pipe nearest to the on-off valve to the outlet of the measuring
instrument.
- connect the other supply pipe end to the pressure regulator.
This sequence of operations results in the system shown in the following photo.

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Instrument for evaluating the

30cm pipe response of the pitot tube
On-off valve

air plug on the loom

Pressure regulator

Fig. 6

After carrying out the pneumatic connections, the electrical connections must be performed.
In particular:
- connect the measuring instrument (pitot tube) to the electrical socket on the stroboscope
- connect the multifunction stroboscope to the appropriate electrical socket on the loom
- select the page on the stroboscope dedicated to instrumentation use in hand in the following way:

- on the instrument; using the key, go to the function and

then with the key, go on to the next page

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- The stroboscope will highlight two numbers on this page: the pressure reading in the upper
position (unit of measurement mbar) and the position along the reed in the lower position (unit of
measurement cm), as shown in the following photo.

Electrical socket

Fig. 7

If the pressure reading taken with an instrument that is not supplied pneumatically is not zero (as in
the photo above), it must be reset.

- Press the adjustment key of the upper function to reset and turn the knob (as shown in the
following photo). Turning the knob in a clockwise direction causes the value displayed to increase,
while turning anticlockwise results in a decrease. If starting with positive values, turn the knob in
an anticlockwise direction to reset until the writing 0 mb appears. If the value initially displayed is
negative, it must be brought to a positive value (> +1) to obtain uniformity of the instrument
settings. This is achieved by rotating the knob in a clockwise direction and then resetting by
rotating the knob again in an anticlockwise direction.

Fig. 8

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Once this has been performed, the instrument must be calibrated pneumatically. Proceed as fol-
lows:
- Connect the pressure regulator to the quick coupling, which supplies the prewinders’ threading
blow. The pressure regulator must be initially closed.

Pressure regulator

Fig. 9

- Position the instrument on the reference reed

- Open the on-off valve
- Progressively open the pressure regulator until the pressure read by the instrument and dis-
played by the stroboscope is equal to the value printed on the reference reed

Fig. 10

- In these conditions the operating pressure has been determined and therefore the pressure regulator
can be closed
- Close the on-off valve
- From the auxiliary functions shown in the “Dobby programming” menu, bring all the warp threads
to the low position

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