4. What is fly shuttle used for? Explain the function.

A fly shuttle is a device used in weaving to quickly and efficiently pass the weft yarn (the horizontal thread) through the warp yarns (the vertical threads) of a loom. Its primary function is to speed up the weaving process by allowing the weaver to throw the shuttle across the loom with greater ease and velocity. Traditionally, before the invention of the fly shuttle, weavers had to manually pass the shuttle from one side of the loom to the other. This process was slow and labor-intensive, limiting the speed at which fabric could be produced. The fly shuttle consists of a shuttle box mounted on wheels or a track along the width of the loom. Inside the shuttle box, the weft yarn is wound onto a bobbin. When the weaver activates the fly shuttle, typically by pulling a cord or lever, the shuttle is propelled across the loom, carrying the weft yarn with it. The key advantage of the fly shuttle is its ability to traverse the width of the loom quickly and consistently, allowing for faster weaving speeds and increased productivity. This innovation revolutionized the textile industry, enabling the mass production of fabrics and textiles. read less