A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

A volumetric weaving approach employs a vertical aspect of woven warp and weft fibers to generate volumetric structures through formation of tie-downs. Tie downs define warp and weft fibers that take a vertical path or component extending perpendicular to a weave plane. Independently controlled heddles provide selective warp fibers control, and a two-dimensional creel that dispenses the warp fibers at differing feed rates allows manipulation of the fibers into three dimensional structures or portions. As a shuttle draws the weft fiber, different layers are raised and lowered to lend a vertical axis to the resulting volumetric structure. Interconnections between the portions include the use of the tie downs to connect multiple portions to define 3-dimensional panels of a finished article such as a shoe. A single pass defining all the interconnected portions of the shoe generates the fully formed shoe without subsequent cutting and seaming of different textile panels.

The present invention relates to a yarn tensioning system for keeping at least one yarn, which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system of a weaving machine, under tension. The system includes a brake roller around which the yarn is at least partially wound, and a motor for supplying a torque to the brake roller, the motor being actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn under tension between the brake roller and the yarn take-off system. In addition, the present invention relates to a weaving machine comprising such a yarn tensioning system, as well as a method for keeping at least one yarn under tension, the at least one yarn being taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.

The present invention relates to a yarn tensioning system for keeping at least one yarn, which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system of a weaving machine, under tension. The system includes a brake roller around which the yarn is at least partially wound, and a motor for supplying a torque to the brake roller, the motor being actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn under tension between the brake roller and the yarn take-off system. In addition, the present invention relates to a weaving machine comprising such a yarn tensioning system, as well as a method for keeping at least one yarn under tension, the at least one yarn being taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.

A yarn tensioning system (1) for keeping at least one yarn (2) which is taken from a yarn storage system (3) to a yarn take-off system (4) of a weaving machine under tension, comprising a brake roller (5) around which the yarn (2) is at least partially wound and a motor (6) for supplying a torque to the brake roller (5), which is actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn (2) under tension between the brake roller (5) and the yarn take-off system (4). In addition, a weaving machine comprising such a yarn tensioning system (1) and a method for keeping at least one yarn (2) under tension which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.

A yarn tensioning system (1) for keeping at least one yarn (2) which is taken from a yarn storage system (3) to a yarn take-off system (4) of a weaving machine under tension, comprising a brake roller (5) around which the yarn (2) is at least partially wound and a motor (6) for supplying a torque to the brake roller (5), which is actuable in generator operation to keep the yarn (2) under tension between the brake roller (5) and the yarn take-off system (4). In addition, a weaving machine comprising such a yarn tensioning system (1) and a method for keeping at least one yarn (2) under tension which is taken from a yarn storage system to a yarn take-off system.

Provided are systems and methods for producing seamless woven materials that are variable in each of their 3 dimensions. The systems and methods generally operate by altering heddle positions independently to impart three dimensional structure to a woven fabric. Weft yarn is woven into a set of warp yarns that have been individually raised or lowered along a particular cross section, essentially locking the weave into an intended 3 dimensional form.

Provided are systems and methods for producing seamless woven materials that are variable in each of their 3 dimensions. The systems and methods generally operate by altering heddle positions independently to impart three dimensional structure to a woven fabric. Weft yarn is woven into a set of warp yarns that have been individually raised or lowered along a particular cross section, essentially locking the weave into an intended 3 dimensional form.

A warp supply device for a loom includes reels on each of which a tape-shaped flat yarn as a warp yarn is wound in line, and a creel device in which the same number of the reels as the number of the warp yarn s to be used for weaving in the loom is mounted. The warp supply device includes: a plurality of support mechanisms provided to be attachable and detachable with respect to the creel device, the plurality of support mechanisms each supports a predetermined set number of the reels, the predetermined set number is two or more. Each of the plurality of support mechanisms includes: a bearing part having a shaft shape and supports the set number of reels such that each reel can rotate individually; and a regulating part regulates positions of the reels in an axis line direction of the bearing part.

A warp supply device for a loom includes reels on each of which a tape-shaped flat yarn as a warp yarn is wound in line, and a creel device in which the same number of the reels as the number of the warp yarn s to be used for weaving in the loom is mounted. The warp supply device includes: a plurality of support mechanisms provided to be attachable and detachable with respect to the creel device, the plurality of support mechanisms each supports a predetermined set number of the reels, the predetermined set number is two or more. Each of the plurality of support mechanisms includes: a bearing part having a shaft shape and supports the set number of reels such that each reel can rotate individually; and a regulating part regulates positions of the reels in an axis line direction of the bearing part.