AVL Looms Compu-Dobby 5 User manual

Compu-Dobby 5
User’s Manual
AVL Looms
2360 Park Avenue
Chico, CA 95928-6785
U.S.A.
530 893-4915
530 893-1372 fax
[e-mail]
www.avlusa.com
Version 1.3.4a
July 14, 2020

Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Introductory Information
Page | i
Introductory Information......................................................................................................................3
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................4
Loom Features ..................................................................................................................................4
Connecting to the Loom.......................................................................................................................7
Connection Types.............................................................................................................................8
Loom Modes.....................................................................................................................................8
Powering on the loom.......................................................................................................................9
Setting up communication .............................................................................................................11
Lost connection...............................................................................................................................15
Naming Your Loom .......................................................................................................................16
Loss of Communication .................................................................................................................19
Logout User ....................................................................................................................................19
Reboot the Loom ............................................................................................................................19
Shutdown the loom.........................................................................................................................20
Using Weavepoint ..........................................................................................................................20
Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5...................................................................................................23
Open a file for Weaving.................................................................................................................24
Resume a weaving session.............................................................................................................26
Tabby...............................................................................................................................................27
Reverse............................................................................................................................................29
Set the Range ..................................................................................................................................29
Unweave..........................................................................................................................................32
Adjust the Pick................................................................................................................................33
Zoom in on the WIF .......................................................................................................................34
Power Off........................................................................................................................................36
Other Tabs...........................................................................................................................................37
File Tab ...........................................................................................................................................38
Options Tab.....................................................................................................................................41
Tabby Tab .......................................................................................................................................47
Utilities............................................................................................................................................51
Diagnostics......................................................................................................................................52
Additional Functions: K-Series Loom ..............................................................................................53
Warp Beams and Automatic Warp Tension System....................................................................54

Introductory Information Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual
Page | ii
Loom Self-Tests..............................................................................................................................54
Warping the Loom..........................................................................................................................54
Controlling the Cloth Advance......................................................................................................56
Set Warp Tension ...........................................................................................................................57
Unweave..........................................................................................................................................58
Lock the warp beam .......................................................................................................................60
Options Tab.....................................................................................................................................61
Trouble-shooting the Compu-Dobby 5 .............................................................................................63
Send Troubleshooting Information to AVL..................................................................................64
Appendix I –Additional Information................................................................................................67
Using a Tablet with Compu-Dobby 5 ...........................................................................................68
Compu-Dobby 5 Connection Information....................................................................................70
The Fine Print .....................................................................................................................................71
AVL Customer Service..................................................................................................................72
AVL Warranties..............................................................................................................................72

Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Introductory Information
Page | 3
INTRODUCTORY
INFORMATION

Introductory Information Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual
Page | 4 Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Before Getting Started:
Please read the entire manual before using the software.
About AVL
AVL Looms has been in the business of designing and building some of the
world’s finest handweaving looms since 1977.
Jim Ahrens had been building and designing looms for a number of years
before Jon Violette, the “V” in AVL, approached Ahrens about a partnership
in 1977.Violette, an industrial management professional, had discovered
Ahrens’ work through his sister who ran the Pacific Basin School of Textiles
in Berkeley, where Ahrens was a volunteer advisor.
The two men worked together in the Bay Area for three years until Violette
moved Ahrens and Violette Looms to Chico, where it officially became known
as AVL Looms Inc., and has operated ever since.
In 1982, Violette was instrumental in the development of the first
computerized dobby, then called the “Apple Dobby”. He retired from active
life in the company in 1987.
Once known for our production looms, AVL has broadened its line
considerably and we now offer customers a full spectrum of fine weaving
equipment, ranging from our small Home Looms, to our Industrial Dobby
Looms, Rug Looms, and Jacquards.
The Compu-Dobby 5 Design Concept
The guiding concept behind the Compu-Dobby 5 is ease of use with precise,
repeatable control. The loom is designed to be easy to thread, easy to setup
and easy to weave on.
LOOM FEATURES
Compu-Dobby®
A first for handweaving looms, the Compu-Dobby 5 enables computer
control of pattern and key loom functions, including warp tension and pick
spacing.

Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Introductory Information
Loom Features Page | 5
Pattern control is a state of the art system that eliminates the multi-treadle
dance of traditional looms and the tedious pegging of mechanical dobby
looms. Much like the legacy cartridge systems from the Compu-Dobby I and
II, the Compu-Dobby 5 stores entire weaving files (WIFs) onboard with three
significant advantages over all other systems:
Ultra-fast pick writing. The system can achieve weaving speeds
in excess of 100 picks per minute.
Hundreds of weaving files may be stored for later use.
Eliminates latency timing issues inherent in computer
communications systems. Latencies can cause slower weaving
and even missed picks.
As a web enabled device, this loom connects to your computer or tablet via
WiFi or USB and controls the loom from your favorite browser. AVLDrive
version 5 is an easy to use, intuitive interface run from within the Compu-
Dobby 5. As a direct result, there is no software to install for the loom, nor
limitation on the controlling device, except for a minimum screen resolution
(1024 x 768 pixels). AVLDrive is compatible with all major browsers, including
Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. The current version of the browser
should be used.
Warp Beams and Automatic Warp Tension System
A first in our industry, some looms offer digital control of warp tension using
a small electrical motor and drive system connected via spring and brake
cable to the warp beam. The motor is controlled by the Compu-Dobby &
AVLDrive. Easily change the warp tension at any time during weaving by a
click of the mouse or a touch of the finger on the touchscreen. This system
allows very fine, repeatable control with a range from locked beam to free
turning for winding on the warp.
Note:
If you have a Compu-Dobby 5 on a loom with an automatic warp tension
system and automatic cloth advance, see the section starting on page 54 for
complete details on using these features.
Automatic cloth advance is an AVL-only feature on hand weaving looms.
Earlier mechanical versions of these systems are well known for providing
fine control over pick advance spacing. This feature utilizes digital controls
via an electric motor driven worm and gear attached directly to the cloth
beam. Much like the digital warp tension controls, set the picks per inch in
AVLDrive and start weaving. Easily change the advance setting or manually

Introductory Information Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual
Page | 6 Loom Features
advance the cloth at any time during weaving by a click of the mouse or a
touch of the finger on the touchscreen. This system allows very fine,
repeatable control with a range from hundreds of picks per inch (or
centimeter) to gross movements needed when starting a new warp.

Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom
Loom Features Page | 7
CONNECTING TO
THE LOOM
ATTENTION:
Please read through this entire section before powering on your loom.

Connecting to the Loom Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual
Page | 8 Connection Types
CONNECTION TYPES
In order to connect to the loom, your device must either have a USB port or
the ability to connect to the internet. There are three ways to connect a
device to the loom:
Connection Type
Description
USB
USB cable from your device to the loom. Only
devices with USB ports can connect this way.
LAN (Local Area
Network)
Through a router. Only devices with WiFi can
connect this way.
LoomDirect
Connection to the loom’s local WiFi network
(not through a router). Only devices with WiFi
can connect this way.
The software interface (AVLDrive) is web browser based so you do not need
to download anything. Simply open your standard web browser (Chrome,
Safari, Firefox, etc.) and type in the loom’s address.
When the loom is started, it will try to connect to the router (LAN) it is
normally connected to first. If it cannot find the router, it will start
LoomDirect. The USB connection is always available.
LOOM MODES
The loom is designed to be controlled through the AVLDrive software, so
there is no “power”button anywhere on the loom.
We recommend the use of a good surge protector between the outlet and
UPS on the Compu-Dobby 5, especially in regions subject to lightning strikes
and other extreme electrical anomaly incidences. In areas prone to
brown/black out or power grid fluctuations, we recommend a 800W, 1000VA
UPS for Compu-Dobby 5 equipped loom.
Standby Mode:
When you plug the loom in it enters Standby Mode. The loom is designed to
be left plugged in and in Standby Mode at all times. In standby power mode,
the loom consumes very little power, and maintains the network connection
to the router or LoomDirect WiFi.