The rapier head is the part that grips the weft, carries it into the shed and hands it over to the other side. Even when the carbon body is still sound, the head wears, because it is in constant contact with yarn and with the opposite head. This article introduces our K6 VDW Rapier Head Male and K7 VDW Rapier Head Female: what a Van de Wiele rapier head does, how to recognise wear and when replacing only the head is enough. It is written for technicians who look after weft insertion on velvet looms, whether in Türkiye or abroad.
What a Van de Wiele rapier head does
On Van de Wiele velvet looms the weft is carried by two rapiers entering from opposite sides. The male and female heads meet in the middle of the shed and the weft is passed from one head to the other. Because that transfer happens on every pick, the shape and surface condition of the heads decide whether the weft is delivered cleanly.
The male and female heads are designed to work as a pair, so they are separate codes and cannot be swapped:
Signs of rapier head wear
Head wear usually develops slowly and first shows up in the fabric or in the missed-pick count. The most common signs on the shop floor are:
- More missed picks: the weft does not pass to the other head at the transfer point, or is dropped halfway.
- Glazed gripping surface: the area that holds the yarn flattens and the yarn slips.
- Nicks or dents at the tip: caused by contact with the opposite head or with warp yarns; these can cut the weft.
- Fuzzy weft: a sharpened edge scrapes the weft and you see hairy picks in the cloth.
- Play at the head mounting: if the head moves on the carbon body, the transfer point shifts from pick to pick.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Part to check |
|---|---|---|
| Weft not transferred | Worn gripping area | Male or female head (K6, K7) |
| Weft fuzzing or breaking | Nick at the head tip | The affected head |
| Irregular transfer point | Play at the mounting or worn guides | Head mounting, guides (K15, K16) |
| Head fine but rapier vibrates | Carbon body or rear block problem | Carbon body, rear block |
Field note: Before replacing, inspect both heads side by side under the same light. Wear often starts on one side, but a worn head will gradually damage its partner as well.
Head only, or complete rapier?
If the carbon body has no cracks, delamination or dents, replacing only the head is usually enough and costs less. If the body is damaged, or the joint between head and body is worn, a new head will not be a lasting fix and you need a complete rapier:
If both sides are due, the K1 VDW Carbon Rapier Set Complete covers the pair in one order line.
Fitting a new head
- Stop the loom and make sure the rapiers can be turned by hand.
- Mark or photograph the position of the old head before removing it; fitting the new one at the same angle saves setting time.
- Clean the mounting area; yarn dust stops the new head seating fully.
- After fitting, turn the loom slowly and watch the male and female heads meet.
- Check the transfer point using the method in your loom manual.
If the guides are worn, a new head will soon show the same problem. For MPS looms, the MPS Male Guide (K15) and MPS Female Guide (K16) are available as separate codes.
What we need for your order
- Loom model (MPS, VMM or VME)
- Male, female or both
- A close-up photo of your current head, plus one showing it mounted on the carbon body
- Quantity
We do not ask for head dimensions or tolerances; we match from photos and model information. All rapier parts for velvet looms are on the Velvet Loom Parts page.
FAQ
Should I replace the male and female heads together?
Not necessarily. If only one side is worn, replace that side. If both show clear wear, changing them together makes it easier to reset the transfer point.
Which looms do K6 and K7 fit?
They are listed for Van de Wiele velvet looms. Send the model and a photo and we will confirm the fit.
How long does a rapier head last?
We will not quote a fixed figure. Loom speed, number of shifts, weft yarn type and the state of the guides all decide it. Watching for the signs above is the most reliable approach.
For a price or a fit check on a Van de Wiele rapier head, send a photo of the head on WhatsApp to +90 541 951 44 10.
