Design of a Flexible Member in the Shed Forming Mechanism of a Weaving Machine

Increasing demands on the performance of weaving machines require new solutions for their drives. One possible approach in drive solution is the use of various auxiliary flexible members for energy storage during the machine working cycle. However, these flexible members increase the complexity of the drives, it is necessary to connect them to the standard rigid members of the mechanisms by using additional links or connecting rods. This brings along not only an increase in the inertia of the moving masses, but above all increases costs for the production and maintenance of such mechanisms. In our approach, we tried to avoid the use of any bearings in these links, while at the same time trying to minimize their weight.