High-quality fabric is essential for any textile finisher looking to maintain consistent quality and resource efficiency. One of the most crucial quality criteria is ensuring straight weft and straight course fabric.
The Challenge
Harris Tweed Hebrides, a world-class manufacturer of 100% wool, handwoven tweed, was searching for an advanced weft-straightening system. The company needed a solution that would eliminate the risk of fabric damage caused by traditional pinwheel systems while ensuring precise weft correction. With fabric weights ranging from 260 to 353 g/m² and widths between 750mm to 1500mm, they required a system capable of handling the unique variations of handwoven textiles.
The Solution
To meet these needs, PLEVA introduced the SL smart weft-straightener, equipped with state-of-the-art traversing camera technology. This innovative system offers:
- Precise, automatic weft correction without using pinwheels, preserving fabric integrity.
- User-friendly, intuitive operation with a touch-screen interface displaying real-time data.
- Advanced traversing camera system, ensuring superior accuracy by analyzing multiple measuring points across the fabric width.
- Fast-reacting skew and bow rollers, delivering optimal straightening results with minimal operator intervention.
- Robust design, built for durability, easy maintenance, and operation even in harsh working conditions.
The Results
David Stewart from Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd shares his experience:
“The SL smart weft-straightener performs exceptionally well with our products. The traversing camera provides unmatched accuracy and adapts automatically to different weaves. The system requires minimal input from the operator and allows for increased production efficiency. The real-time monitoring via the touch screen ensures that fabric stays within accepted parameters. Additionally, the excellent support from the PLEVA team has made implementation seamless.”
Sustainability Benefits
Beyond its technical advantages, the SL smart weft-straightener also supports sustainable textile production:
✅ Energy & Resource Efficiency – The first-time-right principle reduces the number of processing rounds, minimizing energy and material waste.
✅ Reduced Fabric Waste – Improved accuracy prevents costly readjustments, reducing rejected materials and customer complaints.
✅ Eco-Friendly Manufacturing – By optimizing production, the system lowers environmental impact while enhancing fabric quality.
