Related Manuals for AVL Looms Compu-Dobby 5
Summary of Contents for AVL Looms Compu-Dobby 5
- Page 1 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual AVL Looms 2360 Park Avenue Chico, CA 95928-6785 U.S.A. 530 893-4915 530 893-1372 fax sales@avlusa.com www.avlusa.com Version 1.3.4a July 14, 2020...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Logout User ............................ 19 Reboot the Loom ..........................19 Shutdown the loom ......................... 20 Using Weavepoint .......................... 20 Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 ....................23 Open a file for Weaving ......................... 24 Resume a weaving session ......................26 Tabby ............................... 27 Reverse ............................ - Page 4 Trouble-shooting the Compu-Dobby 5 ..................... 63 Send Troubleshooting Information to AVL .................. 64 Appendix I – Additional Information ....................67 Using a Tablet with Compu-Dobby 5 ................... 68 Compu-Dobby 5 Connection Information ..................70 The Fine Print ............................. 71 AVL Customer Service ........................72 AVL Warranties..........................
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Page 5: Introductory Information
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Introductory Information INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION Page | 3... -
Page 6: Introduction
Please read the entire manual before using the software. About AVL AVL Looms has been in the business of designing and building some of the world’s finest handweaving looms since 1977. Jim Ahrens had been building and designing looms for a number of years before Jon Violette, the “V”... - Page 7 Note: If you have a Compu-Dobby 5 on a loom with an automatic warp tension system and automatic cloth advance, see the section starting on page 54 for complete details on using these features.
- Page 8 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Introductory Information advance the cloth at any time during weaving by a click of the mouse or a touch of the finger on the touchscreen. This system allows very fine, repeatable control with a range from hundreds of picks per inch (or centimeter) to gross movements needed when starting a new warp.
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Page 9: Connecting To The Loom
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom CONNECTING TO THE LOOM ATTENTION: Please read through this entire section before powering on your loom. Loom Features Page | 7... -
Page 10: Connection Types
“power” button anywhere on the loom. We recommend the use of a good surge protector between the outlet and UPS on the Compu-Dobby 5, especially in regions subject to lightning strikes and other extreme electrical anomaly incidences. In areas prone to brown/black out or power grid fluctuations, we recommend a 800W, 1000VA UPS for Compu-Dobby 5 equipped loom. -
Page 11: Powering On The Loom
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Note: Avoid pulling the power cord while the loom is in standby power mode. Please use the Shutdown menu option to completely power down the loom prior to pulling the power cord from the electrical socket. - Page 12 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Wait for the loom to bootup. This may take up to several minutes. Once ready the loom will show just the “Power” and “Network” lights. The network light may be Green or Red.
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Page 13: Setting Up Communication
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom null), it will be unlit. ETTING UP COMMUNICATION Connecting via USB When using a USB, a cable is attached from your device to the loom. If you are not using the USB connection, remove the cable from the device. - Page 14 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Connecting via LoomDirect LoomDirect means the loom is generating its own WiFi network and will show up as an available network on your device. The great part about this feature is that you don’t need to be actively connected to the internet to wirelessly connect to the loom.
- Page 15 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom The password for the network will be CompuDobby5. Open your browser and type in 192.168.16.2, or the name of the loom if you’ve named it. Note: If the loom name is entered, and a USB cable is connected to the loom and the device, the loom will default to using the USB cable, even if a network connection is setup.
- Page 16 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Setting up Network settings to connect via router For this connection, you will connect using your router at your location. The router allows you to access the internet wirelessly on your device. Both your computer and the loom will be connected to the same network.
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Page 17: Lost Connection
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Note: The network light should remain RED during these steps, indicating that the Compu-Dobby is connecting to a router. If your network light turns GREEN, the Compu-Dobby has started LoomDirect. Check the password for your router and re-enter the password. -
Page 18: Naming Your Loom
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Once the loom has completed the shutdown sequence and the LEDs have turned off, remove power from the loom. Plug the loom back in. The loom will perform a normal boot up and then reconnect to the router. - Page 19 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Note: Depending on your browser, you will see a notice that the file is being downloaded at either the top or bottom of the screen. Once the download is complete, you may be able to click on the notification to open and install the software.
- Page 20 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom This creates a URL that you type in to the address bar on a web browser. It will be easy to remember, unlike the IP address. Your loom name can be changed at any time.
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Page 21: Loss Of Communication
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Connecting to the Loom Click the enter button on your keyboard, or simply clicking anywhere on the page. Refresh or exit your browser. The COM light will turn off and then back on pretty quickly. In the Options Tab you’ll see the loom name has been changed. -
Page 22: Shutdown The Loom
SING EAVEPOINT Weavepoint 8.0.2.0 and above offers direct access to AVLDrive for your loom with Compu-Dobby 5. The loom control function in Weavepoint will open the software, and upload the pattern you have open in Weavepoint. Note: Weavepoint is a Windows-based program. If you want to activate AVLDrive directly from Weavepoint, you will need to use a Windows-based device. - Page 23 Connecting to the Loom Select Compu-Dobby 5. Note: Choosing Compu-Dobby 5 will launch AVLDrive with the pattern you have open. If this is selected, there will be no other options you can choose in Weave Options window. Connect to Loom Have the pattern you want to weave with open.
- Page 24 If WiFi is chosen, you must enter the Loom Address so that the connection will be made correctly. Note: You may use either the IP Address or the Loom Name for the Compu-Dobby 5. If you have a pattern open in WeavePoint, the pattern name will display here.
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Page 25: Weaving With The Compu-Dobby 5
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 WEAVING WITH THE COMPU- DOBBY 5 Using Weavepoint Page | 23... -
Page 26: Open A File For Weaving
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 No matter how you are connecting to the loom, the loom software will appear in your browser. Depending on the browser you are using, the software may appear subtly different from the pictures in this manual, however the functionality will be the same. - Page 27 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 Click a file from the list to select it. Click Open for Weaving. The Weaving tab will open with your selected file as shown in the next screenshot. Note: You can also double-click a file to open it for weaving.
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Page 28: Resume A Weaving Session
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 The loom will begin a self-test. At the same time, the button will have a checkmark and the Power light on the interface will turn briefly yellow, then red. Once the loom has completed its self-test, you will be able to commence weaving. -
Page 29: Tabby
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 The resume weaving dialog appears. Click OK to continue weaving. ABBY You may want to weave a tabby (plain weave) header before beginning your main pattern. The tabby tab allows you to choose the pattern that will create plain weave with the threading you are using. - Page 30 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 Return to the weaving tab. Click Tabby to switch to the pre-defined tabby. The pattern showing on the weaving tab will change to plain weave and the button will have a checkmark. The tabby will begin with pick A, which is the top pick shown on the Tabby tab.
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Page 31: Reverse
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 To return to the pattern, click the Tabby button. EVERSE The Reverse feature flips the pattern upside down and keeps you weaving forward. This is NOT used to unweave or to go backwards in your pattern. - Page 32 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 Use this feature to experiment with different looks from the same WIF file. You could also choose a small section from a longer pattern to help create a set of differing sized items, for example, a table runner and napkins.
- Page 33 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 Set the Range Page | 31...
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Page 34: Unweave
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 NWEAVE Note: Anytime you move the weaving backwards, you should loosen the tension on the cloth storage beam, or unwind some of the cloth. This will release the tension on your finished cloth so that nothing will be damaged. -
Page 35: Adjust The Pick
When a range is set, the pick will “wrap around” when the value would stray outside the bounds set by the range. When opening the last file you used, most versions of the Compu-Dobby 5 software will ask you if you want to resume where you left off at your last weaving session. -
Page 36: Zoom In On The Wif
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 Change the Pick Note: Change the pick with the right or left arrow keys while the shed is closed to quickly step through the design. Press the right arrow on the keyboard to increase the pick by one. - Page 37 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 The following examples show a weaving tab that is zoomed out, and then one that shows it zoomed in. Zoom in on the WIF Page | 35...
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Page 38: Power Off
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Weaving with the Compu-Dobby 5 OWER When you are done weaving, click Power to return the loom to its normal standby state. If you are going to turn off power to the loom, shutdown the loom through the software. -
Page 39: Other Tabs
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs OTHER TABS Power Off Page | 37... -
Page 40: File Tab
If you are using Weavepoint, you can use the loom control feature to open Weavepoint files directly in AVLDrive. With any other software, you must export your weaving files to the WIF format. With the Compu-Dobby 5, files are stored directly on the loom. From the files tab, you can open WIF files that have been stored on the loom. - Page 41 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Delete Delete a file from the loom. While there are no limits on how many files can be stored, deleting files that are not being used can make it easier to find the files you want in the list.
- Page 42 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Click Open. The WIF file will open in the Weaving Tab in AVLDrive. Note: This process will upload the file to the loom, so the next time you want to use this WIF, you can choose it from the File tab.
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Page 43: Options Tab
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs PTIONS This tab allows you to set several options for your loom. To activate an option, check the box. To turn off an option, uncheck the box. Note: Use metric (cm) for advance and Enable Cloth Beam Advance will only be available if your loom supports the automatic cloth beam advance. - Page 44 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs History Percent Move the percentage bar to indicate how much of the screen should be devoted to history. The following examples show a screen with more history and less history. Page | 42 Options Tab...
- Page 45 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Show repeat counter This option shows the repeat number in the software. The Repeats number will indicate the number of times the range has been repeated. If the repeat includes picks 1-8, when the 8...
- Page 46 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Show color bar The color bar to the right of the draft will appear. The following examples show the color bar on and the color bar off. Page | 44 Options Tab...
- Page 47 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Show drawdown in color Allows you to view the WIF in color. This can be helpful when the design has the same color warp and weft. The following examples show the WIF in color and the WIF with the color option turned off.
- Page 48 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Show numbers in liftplan When you are zoomed in far enough on the WIF, you will be able to see the harness numbers. The following example shows the WIF if you turn this option off. This is also what will appear if the file is zoomed too far out to show legible numbers.
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Page 49: Tabby Tab
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs ABBY This tab allows you to set up or use a tabby (plain weave). Several defaults are included. If your threading requires a tabby pattern that is not included, you can add a new tabby. You can also edit, delete, or rename existing tabbies. - Page 50 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Enter the name of the Tabby. Click OK. Edit a Tabby Choose the Tabby from the drop-down list. Click Edit. The background color of the tabby will change. Page | 48 Tabby Tab...
- Page 51 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Click the harnesses that should rise on each lift. The top line is pick A and the bottom line is pick B. Pick A is the starting pick when Tabby is chosen on the weaving tab.
- Page 52 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs Enter the new name in the window and click OK. Use a Tabby When you change the tabby in the drop-down menu, you change the tabby that will be used by the loom when you click Tabby on the Weaving tab.
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Page 53: Utilities
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs TILITIES This tab allows you to perform several operations for your loom. Button What it does Check for update Checks to see if there are updates for the loom software. The loom must be connected to the internet. -
Page 54: Diagnostics
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Other Tabs IAGNOSTICS This tab allows you to view information about your solenoids. If this information is needed, you will be directed to view it by AVL personnel. Page | 52 Diagnostics... -
Page 55: Additional Functions: K-Series Loom
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS: K- SERIES LOOM Diagnostics Page | 53... -
Page 56: Warp Beams And Automatic Warp Tension System
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom EAMS AND UTOMATIC ENSION YSTEM A first in our industry, the K-series loom offers digital control of warp tension using a small electrical motor and drive system connected via spring and brake cable to the warp beam. The motor is controlled by the Compu-Dobby &... - Page 57 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Open the Weaving tab. You do not need to have a weaving file open. Note: If you open a file for weaving (see page 24) when the loom is powered off, the loom will automatically power on.
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Page 58: Controlling The Cloth Advance
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Wind the warp onto the warp beam. For more information, see the weaving section in your loom manual. You can click Power to return the loom to standby when threading the heddles and reed. If you are going to turn off power to the loom, shutdown the loom through the software. -
Page 59: Set Warp Tension
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Note: If you want to advance the warp quickly, for example when warping the loom, set the PPI to one. Advance the Warp Typically, you manually advance forward to bring the fell line to the correct weaving position after you have warped the loom. -
Page 60: Unweave
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom In the software go to the Warp Tension field. Use the arrow keys to change the value, or click in the field and type in the value you want. NWEAVE WARNING: Anytime you move the weaving backwards, you must remove the pin in the cloth storage beam. - Page 61 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Click Unweave. The button will now have a checkmark. The Cloth Advance will be disabled until you click the Unweave button again. When the loom is treadled, each shed that has been woven will open in reverse order so that you can remove the weft threads.
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Page 62: Lock The Warp Beam
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Reverse the Warp Use this option to adjust the fell line if necessary. Make sure the pin is out of the cloth advance beam so that the cloth will unwind easily In the software go to the Cloth Advance area. -
Page 63: Options Tab
Click the button again to turn it off. PTIONS Most of these options are available for all Compu-Dobby 5 looms and are covered starting on page 41. The options discussed in this section are only available on the K-series loom. - Page 64 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Additional Functions: K-Series Loom Enable Cloth Beam Advance This option allows you to turn on or off the cloth beam advance. The cloth beam advance is also turned off if the warp beam is locked. This can be used to halt the cloth advance when stepping through the design.
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Page 65: Trouble-Shooting The Compu-Dobby 5
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Trouble-shooting the Compu-Dobby 5 TROUBLE- SHOOTING THE COMPU-DOBBY 5 Options Tab Page | 63... -
Page 66: Send Troubleshooting Information To Avl
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Trouble-shooting the Compu-Dobby 5 ROUBLESHOOTING NFORMATION TO If you are having problems with your loom, AVL may ask you to send the log file generated by the program to them in order to figure out the problem. In some cases, the log file may be so large that you have problems sending it. - Page 67 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Trouble-shooting the Compu-Dobby 5 Click Show Log. Select all of the text in the log file. Copy the log file and paste into the email. Send the email to sales@avlusa.com. Send Troubleshooting Information to AVL Page | 65...
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Page 69: Appendix I - Additional Information
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual Appendix I – Additional Information APPENDIX I – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Send Troubleshooting Information to AVL Page | 67... -
Page 70: Using A Tablet With Compu-Dobby 5
One solution is to use a tablet. A tablet is a great way to weave with the Compu-Dobby 5. With the addition of a mounting arm it can be positioned so that it is at the correct height while not obstructing your view of the action of the loom. - Page 71 Enter “/logout” after the URL or IP address in your web browser. Refresh your page. Once you receive the notification that the “current user has been logged out”, simply reenter your normal URL or IP address. Using a Tablet with Compu-Dobby 5 Page | 69...
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Page 72: Compu-Dobby 5 Connection Information
OMPU OBBY ONNECTION NFORMATION The Compu-Dobby 5 uses a connection known as “http,” which your browser may indicate is unsafe. Since no personal information is passed over the connection, additional security is not required. Page | 70 Compu-Dobby 5 Connection Information... -
Page 73: The Fine Print
Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual The Fine Print THE FINE PRINT Compu-Dobby 5 Connection Information Page | 71... -
Page 74: Avl Customer Service
Inc. products, as defined below. Your warranty covers: New Looms: AVL Looms, Inc., a California corporation (“AVL”) warrants to the original purchaser of any AVL loom (each, a "Product") that the Product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship during the limited warranty period described herein. - Page 75 Compu-Dobby 5 User’s Manual The Fine Print Your warranty does not cover: 1.Labor charges for installation or set-up of the Product, as well as any labor charges required to install, disassemble, troubleshoot, or reassemble the Product. 2.Any taxes imposed on AVL for Product replacement or repair under this warranty.
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