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Carpet tufting machines and patterning systems

Cobble Blackburn Limited is acknowledged as the world leader in the design and production of tufting machines. It remains at the forefront of tufting technology through anticipating, identifying and responding to industry trends and requirements.

Cobble manufactures a range of tufters and associated pattern attachments to meet a variety of needs, be it for speed or design potential. Both the ST series and Pantera machines offer flexibility and accuracy; in conjunction with pattern attachments they enable customers to achieve creative end products to gain a market lead.

New developments

Cobble has introduced the Electra Five Pile Height Servo Scroll which is a major advance on the well established Low Profile Scroll attachment. The utilisation of servo drives, providing ramping functionality for each pile height, has considerably opened up design capabilities. The clutches used on the machine are electromagnetic, self-adjusting, maintenance free and they are individually removeable from the unit for visual inspection.

Additionally, there has been considerable customer interest in the Yarn Feed Variator, which is essentially an electronic variation on the well-known eccentric disc pattern attachment. The Variator produces a range of novel textured loop pile surfaces.

Sampling area

Cobble has upgraded its Sampling Centre, which has involved major changes both in terms of machine sampling capability and also the area's aesthetic appeal. Designed to effectively house a permanent display of the latest developments alongside existing tufting technology, the Centre provides superb machine demonstration facilities to fulfil any customer's sampling specification needs. All the machines and attachments are servo controlled.

Housed within the Sampling Centre, and equipped with the latest textile design technology, our three Design Studios give visitors a ' hands-on ' opportunity to work on various design systems.

The systems' features include the ability to realistically simulate carpet texture on screen and produce high quality printed proofs, eliminating the requirement to physically produce every design.

Gauge Parts

In Cobble Gauge Division, recent plant investment includes additional automation in machine tools, inspection equipment and improved moulding techniques. Gauge have focused on tungsten products, needle design, locator systems and knife blocks. Investigations into new materials to extend gauge life and resist corrosive effects are ongoing. A Tungsten Tip Patch module has been successfully launched in the market, offering a number of major benefits such as superior bonding, accuracy and strength. Separately, needle locator modules for Double Sliding Needle Bars are now available which give fixed module protrusion, resistance to module tilting and allowance for point to point setting.

International Outlook

In both its capital and consumable businesses, Cobble continues to build long term relationships by commitment to innovation, quality and support to its customers.