News - Circular Loom for Big Bag Base Cloth

In the world of industrial packaging, big bags—also known as FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers)—play a critical role in transporting and storing bulk materials such as sand, cement, chemicals, and agricultural products. One of the most essential components of these bags is the base cloth, which provides structural support and carries the bulk of the load. Producing this high-strength fabric requires specialized equipment, and that’s where the circular loom comes in.

A circular loom for big bag base cloth is a highly efficient machine designed to weave tubular fabric from polypropylene (PP) or other synthetic tapes. This article explores the purpose, design, working principles, and advantages of using circular looms in the production of base cloth for big bags.

What Is a Circular Loom?

A circular loom is a weaving machine that interlaces warp and weft tapes in a circular pattern to produce tubular woven fabric. Unlike flat weaving machines, which generate fabric in sheets, circular looms create seamless, round-shaped fabrics that are ideal for producing the cylindrical body or bottom of FIBCs.

For base cloth, a heavy-duty tubular fabric is required—one that can withstand significant vertical and horizontal tension without tearing. Circular looms designed for big bag base cloth typically feature 4, 6, or 8 shuttles, depending on the production speed and desired fabric density.

Key Components and Working Principle

A circular loom operates through the synchronized movement of several mechanical systems:

• Warp Tapes: These are drawn from a creel and held vertically on the machine.

• Shuttles: These carry the weft tapes around the circular track to weave the fabric.

• Reed or Shed Forming Mechanism: This lifts and lowers alternate warp tapes to form a “shed” through which the shuttle passes.

• Take-up System: As the fabric is woven, it is wound continuously onto a roll for further processing.

When the machine runs, the shuttles rotate around the loom’s center, inserting weft tapes across the warp tapes. This interlacing action produces a strong, balanced weave ideal for withstanding the weight and stress placed on a big bag’s base.

Benefits of Using a Circular Loom for Big Bag Base Cloth

1. Seamless Tubular Fabric

One major advantage of circular looms is their ability to produce seamless fabric tubes. For big bags, this minimizes the need for stitching and reduces the risk of seam failure, especially at the bottom where stress is highest.

2. High Strength and Durability

The woven structure created by a circular loom offers excellent tensile strength and load-bearing capacity—two essential qualities for base cloth in FIBCs. The tight interlocking of tapes distributes weight evenly and resists tearing.

3. Material Efficiency

Circular looms reduce material waste. By weaving a continuous tube, there is minimal off-cut fabric, which improves overall efficiency and lowers production costs.

4. High-Speed Production

Modern circular looms are equipped with digital controls, automatic tension adjustment, and sensor-based monitoring, allowing for high-speed and precise operation. Some advanced models can run at over 100 revolutions per minute (RPM) with consistent fabric quality.

Applications and Industry Use

Circular looms are primarily used in FIBC manufacturing plants and facilities that specialize in woven polypropylene (WPP) fabric. The base cloth produced is not only used for the bottom of big bags but also for reinforcement layers, side panels, and heavy-duty packaging solutions.

Industries that rely on circular loom base cloth include:

• Construction and mining (for sand, gravel, cement)

• Agriculture (for grain, fertilizer)

• Chemical and pharmaceutical (for powdered or granulated chemicals)

• Food processing (for sugar, salt, flour)

Conclusion

A circular loom for big bag base cloth is a cornerstone technology in the production of durable, high-performance bulk packaging. By creating seamless, strong, and efficient woven fabric, circular looms ensure that big bags can safely carry and store massive loads across diverse industries.

As demand for reliable and cost-effective packaging grows, circular loom technology continues to evolve, offering faster speeds, smarter automation, and better fabric quality—making it indispensable in modern FIBC manufacturing.