01What a power loom picker does
On a shuttle power loom the weft is carried across the warp by a shuttle. At each side of the loom the shuttle rests in a shuttle box, and in each box sits a picker. On every pick the picking motion drives the picker forward; it strikes the shuttle and sends it through the open shed to the box on the other side.
The picker on the receiving side does the opposite job. It takes the impact of the arriving shuttle and moves back with it, while the swell, the buffer and the buffer band (check strap) slow and stop the moving parts. Because a picker is hit on every single pick, it is one of the fastest-wearing parts on a shuttle loom.
The picking motion, from shaft to shuttle
- Picking tappet (cam)
- Turns with the bottom shaft and gives the sudden movement that starts each pick.
- Picking stick (picking arm)
- Lever that passes that movement on to the picker.
- Picker
- Strikes the shuttle and throws it across the shed; on the far side it receives the arriving shuttle.We make this
- Picker spindle
- On many looms the picker slides along this rod inside the shuttle box, which keeps its travel straight.
- Swell
- Spring-loaded piece in the shuttle box that presses on the arriving shuttle to slow it down.
- Buffer
- Cushions the picker and picking stick at the end of their travel.We make this
- Buffer band (check strap)
- Looped strap that checks the picking stick and absorbs part of the shock.We make this
02Picker vs picking stick
The two names are often mixed up, but they are different parts. The picking stick (also called the picking arm) is a long lever. On each pick the picking tappet moves it sharply and the stick passes that movement on to the picker. The picker is the part that actually touches the shuttle.
On an overpick loom the picking stick works above the shuttle box and pulls the picker along its spindle with a picking strap. On an underpick loom the stick swings up from below and drives the picker directly; depending on the design, the picker is fitted on the stick or runs on a spindle. In both cases the picking stick delivers the force and the picker transfers it to the shuttle.
Picking sticks have traditionally been made from seasoned hardwood, which is strong but has a little spring. A cracked stick, a loose pivot or a stick that no longer lines up with the picker will wear a new picker out quickly, so check the stick whenever you change pickers.
03What pickers are made of, and the main types
Traditional pickers were made from rawhide, usually buffalo or cow hide, worked together with wooden picking sticks and fittings. Leather pickers are still used in many older loom sheds.
Today many weavers use pickers moulded from engineered plastics. A moulded picker is made to the same shape and dimensions every time and does not depend on the quality of an individual hide. Abhishek Enterprise manufactures plastic pickers; we do not make leather pickers.
When you order pickers, these are the points that decide which one fits your loom:
| Point | What to check |
|---|---|
| Picking system | Overpick or underpick: this decides how the picker is mounted and driven. |
| Mounting | The bore or slot that fits your picker spindle or picking stick. Its size and shape must match. |
| Size and profile | Overall size and the face that meets the shuttle tip, matched to your shuttle and shuttle box. |
| Side | Some pickers are made as left- and right-hand versions. |
| Material | Rawhide (traditional) or moulded plastic. |
04How to fit or change a picker
The exact method depends on your loom, so always follow the loom maker's manual and your mill's safety rules. The general sequence is:
- Stop the loom and isolate the power so it cannot start while your hands are near the shuttle box.
- Take the shuttle out of the box.
- Release the worn picker: free it from the picking stick or strap, slide it off the spindle, or remove whatever fixing your loom uses.
- Compare the new picker with the old one. The bore or slot, the outside profile and the overall size must suit your loom model and shuttle.
- Clean the spindle and the shuttle box, and check the picking stick, buffer and buffer band for cracks or wear.
- Fit the new picker on the spindle or stick and refit its fixings.
- Check alignment and free movement: move the picking stick by hand and make sure the picker travels smoothly over its full stroke and meets the shuttle squarely, without binding.
- Refit the shuttle and run the loom slowly for a few picks, watching the shuttle flight, before returning to normal running.
If the shuttle flies unevenly or a new picker wears quickly, check the picking setting, the swell, the buffers and the shuttle tip rather than simply changing pickers again.
05Signs a picker needs replacing
- A deep pocket or hole worn where the shuttle tip strikes.
- Cracks, splits or broken edges.
- A loose, wobbly fit on the spindle or stick because the bore has worn oversize.
- Irregular shuttle flight: the shuttle arrives late, rebounds or does not settle properly in the box.
- More knocking or vibration at the shuttle box than usual.
06How to make pickers last longer
- Set the picking force no higher than the loom needs; excess force wears the picker and the shuttle faster.
- Replace worn buffers and buffer bands promptly so the picker is not taking shock they should absorb.
- Check shuttle tips regularly; a damaged or loose tip quickly digs into the picker.
- Keep spindles clean and straight, and shuttle boxes free of lint.
- Fit the correct size and bore for your loom, and keep spares so worn pickers are changed in time.
Not sure which picker fits your loom? Send us a photo of your old picker with its measurements, or post us a sample, and we'll match it from our plastic picker range.
