3. Crowd formation: principles and technologies

Although in principle, shedding (alternating opening and closing) is simple, it involves complex and robust technologies and mechanisms, as a result of the conversion of a rotational movement into alternating rectilinear movements, with high loads and high speeds. The implications for warp yarns, both in terms of material stress and the regularity and quality of the finished product, are considerable. A certain number of rules associated with the weaver's know-how enable or attempt to reconcile these different aspects in the best possible way.