DESIGN OF MULTI-SHAFT TABLE LOOM FOR MEDICAL BANDAGE WEAVING, USING LOCAL MATERIALS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The word loom is crucial in textile design especially in structural aspect of fabric design, though design of looms differ, they perform basic function of fabric construction. This research looked into possibility of manufacturing a multi-shaft loom with less cost of construction and maintenance with other added advantages and use as a tool to weave medical bandage at local level in Ondo State. The research also dabbled into the application of software to design fabric before weaving while most of the materials and tools used were either improvised or sourced from local market in the state. The execution of the research work was carried out with the mutual collaboration between the craftsmen in the community, positive result of the research work was achieved. In the production of the bandage, the weaving techniques made easy and exposed weavers to other nittygritty of fabric construction including fibres and loom usage. Also, availability of yarns and other materials in the local markets makes the loom multiple construction easier in Ondo State. Weavers found weaving with the multi-shaft table loom interesting especially when considering the structural effects and designs on the fabric woven. This Multi-shaft table loom is small in size and can be operated on a 3feet by 3feet top table. Upon all these processes, procurement and maintenance of the loom is cheap when compared with other multi-shaft looms. The use of software to generate draft for different textures of the fabric added to the value of this research. Comparative analyses carried out showed creep bandage woven with locally constructed loom have the same properties like length, strength, absorbency rate and reclaiming after use with the bandage woven with imported loom. Apart from the professional benefits for the weavers, there is economic value for the community in terms of job creation for residents of the State as well.