How is Weaving with a Computer-Dobby loom different than weaving with a regular handloom?
In Computer-assisted weaving, the primary function of the computer is to take over two of the functions normally performed by the weaver. The first function is doing the tie-ups or the connections between the looms treadles and the shafts. While on a 4 harness counterbalance loom, this may not be a big deal, when you increase the number of shafts, this can be a tiresome job and one where errors can be easily made. For a 24 shaft countermarch loom, the tie-up process might involve having the weaver crawl under the loom to connect almost 600 tie-up cords. With a Computer-dobby loom, all tie-up are made by the computer. The second function the computer assists with is remembering the treadling sequence. While a weaver can easily remember a simple tabby sequence on a loom with a few harnesses, the complexity of patterns that can be created on a 16 or 24 shaft loom can slow down a weaver who is trying to remember a pattern that only repeats after hundreds of treadle sequences.
