Precision machining of a shuttle used in textile looms has undergone engraving iterations in the process. Man invented the shuttle to help the weaving process. A weaving shuttle is shaped like a boat carrying a bobbin of thread across the warp threads to form the weave. Repeated movement of the shuttle from left to right and back creates the weave ultimately forming the pattern of cloth.
Shuttle Carving
When it was first invented carpentry and carving skills was required. The basics of shuttle design began from a crude boat design (by the way this design is still used) that held the bobbin of thread. Employing a drill brace and a couple of bits to bore holes into the shuttle was enough to ferry the bobbin back and forth. From hand tools has the shuttle carving and engraving metamorphosed today to CNC router applications. Shaping the shuttle from the outside to fine placements of holes to create shuttle eyelets is just a matter of minutes for CNC routers. To prevent wear and tear in the eyelets as the thread passes back and forth small brad is precision-engineered. The complexity of engraving in the olden times with basic carpentry tools is indeed admirable compared to modern carving and engraving precision employed by CNC routers. This double technology process optimizes working times and productivity.
A fine example of using CNC routers for engraving shuttles is captured in this video
The CNC router is manufactured by OMNITECH from China. They are one of the leading manufacturers of CNC routers. A basic Omni CNC router is all that is needed for precision carving and engraving shuttles. The built-in controller is input with predetermined tool path files that can be used repeatedly. The art of weaving extraordinary designs using thread of different materials like plastics, nylon, wool, synthetic silks among others has created a spin off industry in handwoven textiles. Design houses have sprung up all over the world. These spin offs have redefined shuttle manufacturing. Emailing tool paths to woodworking shops with CNC routers and receiving manufactured shuttles, via mail is as easy as posting letters and receiving a reply. The speed of CNC operation makes it possible to order as many shuttles as possible.
