Understanding Compu-Dobby® II

Using the Cartridge

Since its successful launch in Summer of 1997, AVL's new Compu-Dobby® has received rave reviews from its users around the world. One feature in particular has stood out as a favorite of the Compu-Dobby®'s users - the AVL Weaving Cartridge.

Weaving Cartridges are small memory units that can be programmed with up to ten peg plans. Once the patterns are in the Cartridge, the Compu-Dobby® no longer requires a computer connection, but can, in fact, control the loom directly, allowing the user to disconnect the computer from the Compu-Dobby®.

The Cartridge is connected to the Compu-Dobby® via a standard telephone connector, so you plug it in the same way as you plug in your phone. It's easy to use and given the satisfying "click" that we've all become accustomed to with this style connector, there's never any question as to whether or not the Cartridge is in.

You can use one of two methods to send and save your peg plans to the Cartridge:

Load Directly at the Compu-Dobby®. This is a simple method. Just plug your Cartridge into the Compu-Dobby®, connect the Compu-Dobby® to the computer, and follow your software's standard procedure for sending pegplans to the cartridge.

Use an AVL Cartridge Programming Station. This is a popular method if you have multiple users or if your computer cannot be directly connected to the Compu-Dobby®. The Programming Station is a kind of "information copier" that works in tandem with your computer. It allows you to load designs into a cartridge so that you can control your Compu-Dobby® independent of a computer. Imagine a college textiles lab with a mix of PCs and Macs running different design software. Peg plans can be designed at any computer and processed into a cartridge at the Programming Station. The cartridge can then be taken down the hall, or across the state for that matter, plugged in at the loom, and voila! -- you're weaving with your Compu-Dobby®, nary a computer in sight.

And now, thanks to the Compu-Dobby®'s LCD display, you have information at a glance This display, located front-and-center on the loom, indicates the name of your peg plan, the current pick's harnesses, and the next shafts to be lifted. It also tells you the number of the lag you're on and whether you're moving forward or reversing through your plan.

Software and More for All

As of January 1, 1998, the following software could control the AVL Compu-Dobby® II Weaving Cartridge: WeaveMaker One (only five peg plans),WeavePoint, WeavePoint for Windows, SwiftWeave (obsolete), Fiberworks PCW, and Patternland (a wonderful new implementation!).

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