The motor power required by an air-jet loom depends on the machine model, reed width, shedding system, operating speed, and fabric requirements. In addition to the main drive motor, some machines have separate drive systems for warp let-off, fabric take-up, and weft feeding. Air-jet insertion also requires compressed air, which adds to the electricity demand of the factory's air supply system.
When assessing power requirements, distinguish between the main motor's rated power, the power of auxiliary motors, and the electricity consumed by the compressed air system. Total machine power cannot be determined from reed width or operating speed alone.
Main motor power
The main motor supplies power for the loom's primary mechanical movements. Its rated power should be confirmed from the technical specifications of the specific model.
Published manufacturer specifications show that some air-jet looms use main motors rated in the range of a few kilowatts. For example, the HZ860 specification sheet lists motor ratings of 1.8, 2.2, 2.8, 3.0, 3.7, and 5.5 kW, depending on the drive and shedding configuration.
The published specifications for another model, the JLH9200, list the following motor ratings:
Cam shedding: 2.8 kW.
Electronic dobby shedding: 3.7 kW.
Jacquard shedding: 5.5 kW.
The same product documentation lists reed widths from 150 to 360 cm. This shows why motor power cannot be determined by reed width alone. These figures apply to the specified product configurations and should not be treated as universal ratings for all air-jet looms. <Cite refs={["turn543257view0","turn543257view1"]}/>
Actual motor selection also depends on the fabric construction, beating-up mechanism, transmission design, and operating speed. For wide looms, special shedding systems, or machines with different drive arrangements, use the manufacturer's motor selection data.
Auxiliary motors and drive systems
In addition to the main motor, an air-jet loom may include several auxiliary drive systems.
Weft accumulator and yarn feeding
The weft accumulator controls the storage and release of the weft yarn. Its drive arrangement depends on the machine design. Some systems use independent motors or electronic controls. The motor rating and quantity should be confirmed from the actual configuration rather than assigned a universal power range.
Warp let-off
The let-off system controls the delivery of warp yarn from the warp beam and maintains suitable warp tension. Some modern looms use servo motors and electronic control to adjust let-off in response to tension changes. The required motor power depends on the warp beam load, control arrangement, and loom model.
Fabric take-up
The take-up system winds the woven fabric according to the required pick density and winding tension. Some looms use an independent motor or an electronic take-up drive. The specific arrangement should be checked in the machine documentation.
Dobby or jacquard drive
A loom fitted with electronic dobby or jacquard shedding may require additional drive power. As a result, the main motor and auxiliary system ratings can differ between configurations within the same loom series.
Compressed air supply for weft insertion
Air-jet looms use compressed air to carry the weft yarn through the shed. The air is supplied by a dedicated compressor system or a factory-wide compressed air network. Unless the machine documentation specifies an integrated compressor, compressor motor power should not be counted as the loom's main motor rating.
The required air supply capacity and electricity consumption depend on air consumption per loom, supply pressure, the number of machines operating simultaneously, and the configuration of the piping and air receivers. Manufacturer documentation shows that nozzle and air circuit designs vary between models and can affect compressed air consumption.
To estimate total factory electricity demand, calculate the loom drive system and the compressed air station separately. Then account for their operating loads and production hours.
Motor specifications to check
Rated power and operating load
Check the motor nameplate for rated power, voltage, frequency, rated speed, and duty rating. The motor must meet the drive requirements under the specified operating conditions. Maximum loom speed or reed width alone is not sufficient for selecting a motor.
Insulation class
Class F is a common motor insulation thermal class. Under the relevant standard conditions, the maximum temperature limit for a Class F insulation system is 155°C. This does not mean that the permitted temperature rise is 155°C. The allowable temperature rise also depends on ambient temperature, the measurement method, and the motor design. <Cite refs={["turn755314search2","turn755314search67"]}/>
Ingress protection and mounting arrangement
The motor's ingress protection rating and mounting arrangement must match the loom's installation space, dust exposure, cooling conditions, and drive connection. Specifications such as IP54, IP55, B5, and B35 are suitable only when they meet the requirements of the particular machine; they are not universal configurations for air-jet looms.
Energy efficiency and speed control
Confirm the motor's efficiency class from its nameplate and product documentation. Some looms use direct-drive motors, variable-frequency drives, or servo systems, depending on the manufacturer's design. A variable-frequency drive can regulate motor speed, but it does not change the motor's rated power on the nameplate. Actual output power depends on speed, load, and control conditions.
How to identify the correct motor for an existing air-jet loom
Before replacing the main motor or estimating the loom's electrical demand, record the manufacturer, exact model, reed width, shedding configuration, and motor nameplate details. Use the original electrical diagrams, parts catalogue, and drive system documentation to confirm the correct motor specification.
Check auxiliary motors separately according to their functions and ratings. For the compressed air system, assess the capacity based on air consumption, supply pressure, and the number of looms operating at the same time.
Do not apply motor ratings, mounting arrangements, or energy-saving percentages from another machine model without supporting manufacturer data.
Custom machining of precision components
Air-jet looms may require non-standard parts for their drive mechanisms, guiding assemblies, support structures, and other mechanical components. Hansheng Automation provides single-piece and small-batch precision machining based on customer engineering drawings. Our drawing-based machining services also cover components for tobacco packaging machinery, filling equipment, yacht equipment, and remote-controlled racing cars. Specific machining requirements are determined by the supplied drawings and technical specifications.
