Fiberglass Fabric Manufacturer-Air Jet Loom Vs. Shuttle Loom

Air Jet Loom vs. Shuttle Loom: Key Differences

When weaving fiberglass fabrics, the choice between air jet looms and shuttle looms impacts production speed, fabric quality, cost, and fiber compatibility. Below is a detailed comparison:

1. Air Jet Loom

How It Works

• Uses high-pressure air jets to propel the weft yarn across the warp.

• Fully automated, with computerized controls for precision.

Advantages

✅ Extremely Fast – 600–1,500 picks per minute (PPM) (vs. 100–200 PPM for shuttle looms).
✅ Lower Labor Costs – Minimal manual intervention needed.
✅ Energy Efficient – Uses compressed air instead of mechanical parts.
✅ Best for Lightweight Fabrics – Works well with fine yarns (e.g., fiberglass styles 106, 1080).

Disadvantages

❌ Struggles with Heavy Yarns – Not ideal for thick fiberglass due to yarn weight.
❌ Higher Initial Cost – More expensive than shuttle looms.
❌ Yarn Breakage Risk – High-speed air can damage brittle glass fibers.

Best For:
✔ High-volume production of lightweight fiberglass (106, 1080, 2116).
✔ Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon).

2. Shuttle Loom

How It Works

• Uses a wooden/metal shuttle to carry the weft thread back and forth.

• Oldest weaving technology, still used in some traditional factories.

Advantages

✅ Handles Heavy Yarns Well – Good for thick fiberglass (7628, 2156).
✅ Low Initial Cost – Cheaper than air jet or rapier looms.
✅ Durable Weaves – Produces tightly woven, strong fabrics.

Disadvantages

❌ Very Slow – Only 100–200 PPM (significantly lower than air jet).
❌ High Noise & Vibration – Not suitable for modern automated factories.
❌ More Labor-Intensive – Requires frequent manual adjustments.

Best For:
✔ Small-scale or specialty fiberglass production.
✔ Heavy industrial fabrics where speed is not critical.

3. Key Comparison Table

4. Which is Better for Fiberglass?

• For lightweight fiberglass (106, 1080, 2116) → Air jet loom (faster, more efficient).

• For heavy fiberglass (7628, 2156) → Shuttle loom (handles thick yarns better).

• For cost savings in small batches → Shuttle loom (cheaper setup).

• For mass production → Air jet loom (if yarnn weight allows).

Modern Alternative:

• Rapier looms (a middle-ground option) are often preferred for medium-weight fiberglass (2116, 7628) because they balance speed and yarn handling.

5. Conclusion

• Air jet looms dominate high-speed production but struggle with heavy fabrics.

• Shuttle looms are fading but still useful for heavy-duty fiberglass in small factories.

• For 7628 fiberglass, rapier looms are often the best compromise.