This course aims at explaining mechanics methodologies applied to textile machines; competences on main mechanisms and mechanical devices for looms and textile machines will be developed.

By attending this course the student will get:
Basic theory of rigid body kinematics;
Knowledge of main articulated mechanisms, mechanical devices and their application to textile machines;
Ability to draw free body diagrams and to compute the resulting forces in equilibrium condition;
Knowledge on main looms types, weaving fundamentals and loom control systems;
Basic theory of pneumatics and its application to textile.

Basics of Mathematical Analysis, Geometry and Physics.

1-Kinematics and articulated mechanisms
Plane kinematics of rigid body (rotation, absolute motion, instantaneous center of zero velocity, accelerations).
Introduction to articulated mechanisms: basic definitions (linkages, kinematic pairs), mobility analysis.
Articulated mechanisms for textile applications: four bar linkages (motion analysis, computation of velocity and acceleration), mechanisms with slots, multiple mechanisms (application to knitting machines)
Introduction to kinematics of relative motion (absolute, relative and drug motion).
Mechanical devices and mechanisms with relative and intermittent motion, applications to textile machines: Geneva mechanisms, intermittent gears, ratchet-wheel mechanism (motion analysis, computation of velocity and acceleration).

2- Mechanical devices and mechanisms
Cam-follower system: introduction, type of follower motion, types of followers. Circular cam (cam-eccentric), linear and parabolic cam: motion analysis and kinematics. Plot of the cam profile. Contact force analysis.
Screw thread mechanism: basic concepts and arrangements. Force analysis and kinematics. Condition for unwinding.
Gears: generalities and typologies. Fundamental kinematic law, sizing of involute teeth. Force and torque transmission.
Gear trains: ordinary and planetary, simple and compound. Speed ratio and torque transmission. Planetary gear trains: single stage (velocity relationship, speed reducer, internal forces).
Bearings: linear and rolling bearings, dry and lubricated bearings.

3- Looms
Weaving fundamentals: warp let-off, shedding, beat-up, fabric take-up mechanisms.
Shuttle looms: operation and picking mechanism.
Projectile looms: filling insertion sequence, picking and brake mechanisms.
Rapier looms: insertion cycle, operation of rapiers, actuation device.
Air jet looms: principle of operation of a jet, insertion cycle, main nozzle and sub-nozzles, control of relay nozzles.
Water jet looms: water nozzle, operating principle.
Control systems: classifications and examples. Control mechanism in looms: warp stop motion, yarn break control, yarn tension control, control of fabric tension, control of tension in a warp beam.

4- Pneumatics
General structure of a pneumatic system, event based and time based.
Compressed air generation: compressors, dryer, filters. Pressure regulator: working principle.
Fluid properties: state equation and gas transformations, motion in pipes.
Cylinders: classification, cushioning, seals, mounting. Special cylinders. Flow rate consumption in pneumatic cylinders.
Valves: classification, working principles, types of command signals, pilot device, electro-pneumatic valves, auxiliary valves (And, Or, check-valve, floe-regulator, quick-exhaust, time-delay).
Basic pneumatic control, basic logic function, basic pneumatic circuits.
Special function in pneumatic circuits: timing, counting, anti-repeat, two-hands safety control.
Functional diagrams: displacement-step, Grafcet. Representation of signals and analysis. Method for cancelling blocking signals.
Flow through nozzles and valves: Valve coefficients, nominal flow-rate.

Lectures and tutorials are not rigidly separated. Tutorials cover exercises on the developed theory as well as the development of more practical parts of the program. There is no division in groups for activities in class.
Laboratories tutorials cover: pneumatic circuits and electro-pneumatic circuits. There is division in groups for activities in lab.

Lessons: the subject is fully treated in notes and slides provided by the teacher. Reference textbooks of international standing will also be suggested.
Tutorials: texts of problems, datasheets of materials, extracts of standards and manuals will be provided by the tutor.
All materials will be made available on the course website, in the "materials" section.

Written test (exercise questions on part 1, 2, 4, theory question on part 3).