Medical Gauze Weaving Loom is designed to produce thin, lightweight, and highly absorbent gauze fabric used in medical applications. The loom must:
✔ Handle very fine yarns (typically 20s–40s cotton count).
✔ Weave an open, breathable structure (plain weave or leno weave).
✔ Produce high-speed, high-volume output for medical use.
✔ Ensure sterile and lint-free fabric quality.

1. Characteristics of Medical Gauze Fabric

• Material: Usually 100% cotton, but sometimes blended with synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester).
• Weave Structure: Plain weave or leno weave (for better stability and open texture).
• Thread Count: Low to medium (loosely woven to allow breathability and absorbency).
• Weight: Lightweight, measured in grams per square meter (GSM).
• Sterility: Can be treated for sterile applications (bleached or medicated).

2. Types of Medical Gauze Looms

A. Shuttle Looms (Traditional)

• Process: Uses a shuttle to pass the weft yarn back and forth through the warp.
• Features:
  • Produces selvedge gauze, preventing fraying.
  • Slower production speed.
  • Used in high-quality or specialty medical gauze.

B. Shuttleless Looms (Modern Industrial)

• Faster and more efficient, commonly used for mass production.

1. Air-Jet Loom

• How It Works: Uses high-pressure air to insert the weft yarn across the warp.
• Advantages:
  • High speed and efficiency.
  • Suitable for fine, lightweight fabrics like gauze.
  • Produces consistent-quality fabric.

2. Rapier Loom

• How It Works: Uses flexible or rigid rapiers (metal grippers) to transport the weft.
• Advantages:
  • Precise control over yarn insertion.
  • Suitable for weaving different fabric widths.
  • Used for high-quality gauze fabrics.

3. Water-Jet Loom

• How It Works: Uses a water jet to propel the weft yarn.
• Disadvantages:
  • Less common for gauze as it is primarily used for synthetic fibers.
  • Not ideal for cotton, which absorbs moisture.

3. Weaving Process of Medical Gauze

1. Warp Preparation:

   • Cotton yarns are arranged on the beam and may be pre-treated for strength.
   • Sizing (starch application) may be applied for smoother weaving.

2. Weaving:

   • The loom interlaces warp and weft threads in a plain weave or leno weave.
   • The open structure is achieved by controlling yarn tension and spacing.

3. Finishing:

   • Bleaching: Makes the gauze pure white and sterile.
   • Softening: Ensures comfort for medical use.
   • Cutting & Folding: Prepared into rolls or pre-cut sizes for medical packaging.
   • Sterilization (if required): Done using gamma rays, ethylene oxide, or autoclaving.

4. Key Considerations in Medical Gauze Looms