ROJ, Victrex Develop Thermoformed Braking Cone

Weft insertion accessories manufacturer ROJ Electrotex, Italy, and polyaryletherketones producer
Victrex Polymer Solutions, Germany, have developed a thermoformed braking cone to replace the
traditional metal cone on textile weft feeders. The new cones, made using Victrex’s thermoplastic
APTIV® film made from VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer, exhibit improved braking consistency and structural
integrity compared with metal cones, ROJ reports.

“Previously, the brake cones were produced by using a metal cone placed on rubber supports
but ROJ found the mechanical decay of the rubber component was unacceptable and the metal cone
created an inconsistent braking performance,” said Cesare Brovarone, aeronautical engineer, ROJ
Electrotex.

“Brake consistency is a key feature, as it adjusts and maintains the optimum tension of the
weft which the weft feeder provides to the loom at the same level,” he added. “It also allows a
more consistent yarn tension at every desirable tension level, while the tension depends on the
pressure applied by the APTIV film cone on the weft feeder yarn running surface, thereby
eliminating defects in the cloth.”

The cones, made using Germany-based Niebling HDVF Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH’s high-pressure
forming technology, are produced using one of three thicknesses of APTIV film, depending on
required tension and weft properties.

September/October 2011

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