temple

A temple is a mechanical device mounted on a loom that grips the edges of the woven fabric (the web) and holds it at a constant width as it forms. Without one, the cloth would draw in toward the center during weaving, creating uneven selvedges and distorting the pattern. The temple sits perpendicular to the direction of the warp and applies outward pressure at both sides of the web as the shed opens and closes.

There are two main types: roller temples and stationary temples. Roller temples consist of a roller studded with pins or spikes that rotates as the fabric advances, gripping the selvedge with each beat of the loom. Stationary temples use fixed pins or bars positioned at the width of the finished cloth and do not move during the weaving process. Most modern looms use roller temples because they accommodate the continuous forward motion of the web and reduce the risk of damage to the cloth edge.

Adjustment and common problems

The temple must be set to hold the cloth at exactly the desired finished width, typically adjusted through a screw or lever mechanism on the loom frame. If set too tight, it can crimp or mark the selvedge; if too loose, the web will draw in unevenly, creating a wavy or narrower piece than intended. Worn pins or a bent roller will produce damaged selvedges, and operators must inspect the temple regularly, especially on looms running delicate or high-count fabrics where edge quality directly affects the final product grade.

The name comes from the architectural temple: the device spans the width of the loom like a cross-beam, holding the structure in its proper dimension. In industry terminology, temples are sometimes called selvedge holders or width tensioners, though temple remains the standard term in both mechanical and modern air-jet loom contexts.