A method for setting weft insertion conditions is used in a multi-color weft insertion loom including a weft insertion device (11) which includes weft insertion systems which each include weft-insertion-related devices, a setting device (46) which sets a weft insertion pattern defining selection numbers of the respective weft insertion systems and operation control values of the weft-insertion-related devices belonging to the respective weft insertion systems, and a weft-insertion control device (43) which stores the weft insertion pattern and the control values corresponding to the selection numbers and causes the weft-insertion-related devices to perform weft insertion in accordance with the control values. The method includes a step of allowing an operator to select two weft insertion systems corresponding to weft yarns to be replaced by each other by using the setting device, and a step of causing the setting device to execute, in response to a generation of a switch command signal based on the above-mentioned step, an operation of switching the control values of the weft-insertion-related devices that are switch targets for the selected two weft insertion systems.

A loom in which a weft arrival time is detected each time a weft insertion operation is performed includes a weft-insertion-condition display apparatus (20). The weft-insertion-condition display apparatus (20) calculates statistics (average, maximum and minimum values, and standard deviation) regarding weft arrival times detected in each of predetermined sampling periods on the basis of the detected weft arrival times, stores the statistics that are sequentially calculated during a weaving operation in time series, and graphically displays the stored statistics in time series along a time axis. An occurrence status of stoppages of the loom that have occurred in each of the predetermined sampling periods is displayed such that the number of stoppages can be visually recognized along the same time axis as the time axis along which the statistics are graphically displayed.

In a shedding device (19) included in a loom (1) that performs a weaving operation using warp threads (PT, GT) let off from at least two warp beams (2, 3), controlling means (19a) is provided for electrically controlling individual movements of a plurality of heald frames (HF). The shedding device (19) is characterized by including a standby-frame setting unit (30) having set therein standby information on specific heald frames of the plurality of heald frames (HF), the specific heald frames including heald frames that correspond to the warp threads let off from one of the at least two warp beams (2, 3). The standby information is used for setting the specific heald frames in a standby state for a predetermined period. The standby-frame setting unit (30) is connected to the controlling means (19a).

An electric shedding apparatus (1) for a loom drives a plurality of heald frames (2) with dedicated motors (3). The electric shedding apparatus (1) includes a setter (5) that sets a shedding motion condition including a plurality of items for driving each heald frame (2), a controller (6) that controls the rotation of each motor (3) on the basis of the set shedding motion condition, a memory (7) that stores a database including a plurality of shedding motion conditions and loads applied to each motor (3) if the corresponding heald frame (2) is driven under the shedding motion conditions, and a calculator (8) that determines a load corresponding to the set shedding motion condition on the basis of the set shedding motion condition and the database.

A filling bar preventing method starts a loom (10) after completing a preparatory starting procedure including a cloth fell position correcting operation that corrects the position of the cloth fell (22) by turning a surface roller (28) included in the loom (10), and a warp tension adjusting operation that adjusts warp tension to a predetermined warp tension by turning a warp beam (14) included in the loom (10). The preparatory starting procedure is completed by completing the warp tension adjusting operation after the completion of the cloth fell position correcting operation.

A thread selecting device used in conjunction with a weaving machine comprises a needle for selecting a vertical thread used by the machine according to its displacement, a mechanism for displacing this needle in synchronism with the operation of the weaving machine, an electromagnetic actuator for maintaining the needle in a predetermined position, and a mechanism for supplying energizing current to the electromagnetic actuator. The supplying mechanism supplies energizing current in conjunction with the machine operation according to a preset specification. The device further comprises a mechanism for detecting when the operation of the machine has been interrupted, and a mechanism for causing oscillation of the energizing current. Hence, supply of current to the electromagnetic actuator holding a selected needle is not stopped even when the machine operation is interrupted, and by maintaining the needle in the selected position, the operation of the device is not delayed when the weaving machine resumes operation. Further, by causing the energizing current to oscillate at the same time, overheating of the electromagnetic actuator due to continued energizing is prevented.

A loom operating apparatus and method involving the use of an inverter device interposed between loom motor and power supply. The inverter device is controlled so as to make the motor torque greater than a rated value from immediately after start-up up to the completion thereof, and equal to the rated value thereafter. This eliminates contact wear and other disadvantages associated with the use of contact circuits, and allows the loom to be started up free of staggered weaves.