Textile Glossary

Cloth beam

Definition

The cloth beam is a cylindrical roller located at the output end of a loom, onto which the finished woven fabric is continuously wound. It ensures uniform fabric take-up and maintains constant fabric tension during the weaving process. The cloth beam is therefore the loom-side counterpart to the warp beam, which supplies the warp yarns.

Use in the textile industry

In weaving, the cloth beam is used to collect the produced woven fabric in an orderly, wrinkle-free manner, which facilitates subsequent processing. Depending on the machine type and fabric width, the diameter and take-up capacity of the cloth beam vary. On wide industrial looms, appropriately dimensioned cloth beams with heavy-duty bearings are used to safely support the weight of the wound fabric.

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Frequently asked question

The warp beam is located at the input end of the loom and supplies the wound warp yarns, which form the longitudinal structure of the woven fabric. The cloth beam, by contrast, is positioned at the output end of the machine and takes up the finished woven fabric. Both components work together to maintain uniform warp tension and fabric tension throughout the weaving process.

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