AVL Looms Dobby V Series User manual

V-Series Dobby Loom
User’s Manual
AVL Looms
2360 Park Avenue
Chico, CA 95928-6785
U.S.A.
530 893-4915
530 893-1372 fax
[email protected]
www.avlusa.com
Version 2
July 2017
Original Instructions

V-Series Dobby Loom User’s Manual Introductory Information
Table of Contents Page | i
Introductory Information.............................................................................................................1
Safety......................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.............................................................................................................................4
Loom Features ........................................................................................................................5
Set Up.....................................................................................................................................7
Loom Assembly........................................................................................................................11
Before You Begin .................................................................................................................12
Left And Right Side Frame Assembly ...................................................................................16
Connecting the Frames..........................................................................................................19
Install Harnesses ...................................................................................................................30
Install Beater.........................................................................................................................38
Installation Of The E-Lift II ..................................................................................................44
Installation Of The Compu-Dobby ........................................................................................52
Install The Warp Beam..........................................................................................................54
Install The Shelf....................................................................................................................62
Weaving Instructions ................................................................................................................63
Warping The Plain Beam ......................................................................................................64
Warping The Sectional Beam................................................................................................72
Combining Sectional And Plain Warping ..............................................................................87
Threading, Sleying, & Tying On ...........................................................................................88
Additional Loom Information....................................................................................................95
Loom Maintenance................................................................................................................96
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................98
The Fine Print .........................................................................................................................103
AVL Customer Service .......................................................................................................104
AVL Warranties..................................................................................................................104
Notice to Users in the European Union................................................................................105
TABLE OF CONTENTS

V-Series Dobby Loom User’s Manual Introductory Information
Introductory Information Page | 1
INTRODUCTORY
INFORMATION
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION

V-Series Dobby Loom User’s Manual Introductory Information
Safety Page | 2
SAFETY
Before Getting Started:
Please read the entire manual before using the loom.
Warnings:
WARNING:
EQUIPMENT SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR TEXTILE MANUFACTURING. IF
THE EQUIPMENT IS USED IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY THE
MANUFACTURER, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE EQUIPMENT MAY
BE IMPAIRED.
WARNING:
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD. DO NOT TAMPER WITH ELECTRICAL WIRES
OR OPERATE THE LOOM WITH SAFETY PANELS OPENED OR REMOVED.
WARNING:
PINCH, CRUSH, AND FINGER CUT-OFF HAZARDS. DO NOT OPERATE THE

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LOOM WITH SAFETY PANELS OPENED OR REMOVED. DO NOT PLACE
HANDS IN MOVING MECHANISMS OR SCISSORS.
WARNING:
EQUIPMENT PANELS ARE AWKWARD AND HEAVY. TO AVOID MUSCLE
STRAIN OR INJURY, USE PROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES AND A HELPER.
WARNING:
DO NOT POSITION EQUIPMENT IN A WAY TO BLOCK OR IMPEDE ACCESS
TO DISCONNECTING DEVICES, EMERGENCY STOPS, OR ON/OFF BREAKER
SWITCHES
WARNING:
USE OF CONDUCTIVE FIBER OR YARN ON OR AROUND THIS EQUIPMENT
WILL VOID WARRANTY AND MAY DAMAGE EQUIPMENT.
WARNING:
THIS EQUIPMENT IS CLASSIFIED FOR LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT
ONLY. OPERATION OF HIGH-CURRENT DRAW EQUIPMENT (EX. MIG
WELDER) ON THE SAME ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS MAY CAUSE EQUIPMENT
FAILURE.
Safety Features:
Covers and shielding separate weaver from moving components where pinch
hazards exist. Do not reach under a covers and shielding while the loom is
operating.

V-Series Dobby Loom User’s Manual Introductory Information
Introduction Page | 4
INTRODUCTION
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. We have christened this new V-Series Loom in
recognition of Jon’s contribution to handweaving.
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 V-Series Design Concept
We wanted to design a loom with a dynamic mix of simplicity and
sophistication, a “no frills” approach for weavers who want complex weaving
capability in a more fundamental package. We have streamlined this loom so
you get a lot of harnesses and strength on a small rugged loom. We hope
you will have many years of weaving from your new V-series loom. This
manual will guide you through the process of assembling your new loom and
will also cover warping and weaving with your new loom.

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LOOM FEATURES
Brake System
Your V-Series Loom is equipped with a locking brake system. This means
that the Warp Beam will not release warp until you depress the Brake Pedal.
It’s fairly foolproof and affords very taut warps. When your fell has moved as
far forward as you’re comfortable, and you wish to advance your warp,
quickly depress the pedal with a short, tap-type motion and crank the warp
forward with the Cloth Advance Handle. If you are using two warp beams,
each will have its own brake pedal which must be depressed separately.
Tension Device
The tension device is an optional feature that allows you to advance the
warp without depressing the brake pedal. You will find that you can weave
with less warp tension with a weight control than with the conventional
ratchet system. Once the correct tension adjustment is made, it will be
maintained automatically as the weaving is advanced. For light, fragile
warps, it may be necessary to use a lighter weight than the one that comes
with the loom and for dense, heavy warps, you may have to add some
weight to the arm. You can order half size weights from AVL Looms. This can
be used by itself for very light tension or can be used with the existing
weight if more tension is needed.
Cloth Storage System
The Cloth Storage System consists of the Cloth Storage Beam (immediately
in front of your knees), the Cloth Storage Apron, and the Cloth Advance
Handle and pawl.
Removable Breast And Separation Beams
You will have either two or three of these Beams which are interchangeable.
They enhance the structural integrity of the loom and serve to establish the
warp in its horizontal plain. The Beam at the front of the loom is called a
Breast Beam; the Beam at the rear, the Back Beam, or Separation Beams, if
you have two Warp Beams. These Beams can be moved to the interior slot
to help with winding-on and threading.

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Swinging Beater
The Swinging Beater is a standard feature of the V-Series Loom. You can
choose to have the swinging beater replaced by a sliding beater when you
buy your loom.
Sectional Beam
If you have purchased a Sectional Beam, you will find it to be extremely
adaptable to your needs. Because each of its hoops is removable, you may
create sections of any width you like, provided they are calculated in one-
inch increments.
An AVL Sectional Beam with metal hoops has holes for the hoops at 1”
sections. The wheel comes with enough metal hoops to setup 2” sections.
More hoops can be ordered from AVL if narrower sections are desired. For
wider sections, remove as many metal hoops as needed.
There are two things to remember:
1. You may only use a Sectional Beam in the upper position.
2. You cannot use two warp beams when using a Sectional Beam
Plain Beam
The Plain Beam is provided with an apron, which will allow you to maximize
the length of your warp. The V-series loom allows you to use two plain
beams at once.
Dobby Head And Compu-Dobby
The Dobby Head works in tandem with the Compu-Dobby and together they
provide the interface between your computer and loom.
E-Lift
The E-lift replaces treadles on your loom and allows the shafts to be lifted
easily and smoothly by pressing a pedal. The E-lift works independently of
the Compu-Dobby.
Harness Springs
There are two springs for each harness which stabilize the harnesses and
encourage their vertical fall when the shed is released.