Using the expert system to analyze loom performance

Abstract

In this paper, the development of a warp tension simulation is presented. A system analysis of modern weaving machines led to a suitable simulation model to calculate the warp tension. The validation of the simulation demonstrates that the results correspond well with reality. In a second step, an improved model of this simulation was used in combination with a genetic algorithm and a gradient-based method to calculate optimized setting parameters for the weaving process. In order to do so, a cost function was defined taking into account a desired course of the warp tension. Actually, it is known, that a low and constant warp tension course is suitable for weaving. Using the genetic algorithm or the gradient-based method leads to optimized weaving machine parameters. Both algorithms do get nearly the same results for the optimized weaving machine setting. Applying the optimized setting parameters on a loom did not demonstrate that the productivity of a weaving machine can be raised. Analysis of the produced fabrics did not show an influence of optimization on the fabric quality. The reduction of warp tension was not sufficient in order to have an impact on the mechanical properties of the fabric. Thus, fabric defects could be eliminated using the optimized weaving machine settings.