Incremental innovation

Abstract

The developments in the designs of the latest looms presented at ITMA 2003, held in Birmingham, UK, were analyzed. ITMA 2003 highlighted the growing emphasis on offering improved loom design and engineering excellence. The new loom designs exhibited reduced maintenance and weaving costs, quality monitoring, and automation of functions with the help of microprocessors and electronics. The common attributes of the innovative loom designs exhibited in the exhibition were high speed, versatility, easier handling, and increased productivity. The looms exhibited at ITMA 2003 included air-jet looms, exit water-jet looms, rapier looms, and projectile looms.