Figure 7: Open barb vs. throated barb

Open Barbs have been the answer to a continued and even increased barb efficiency at higher loom speeds. Modern felting needle looms are being designed to operate at ever increasing speeds. As these speeds are increased, it becomes more difficult to maintain uniform barb loading. Often times, a barb with a throat of conventional design will move past fibers at higher loom speeds, which may have loaded at lower loom speeds. The net result is that some of the advantages of increasing loom speeds could be lost due to decreased barb efficiency.

Even at lower loom speeds the Open Barb can show advantages. It may be used to increase needling efficiency without reverting to a barb with a more damaging kickup level. They may also be used in a tacking operation where a high degree of fiber transport is required in the fewest number of penetrations. Areas where the Open Barb has shown the most advantages are in the needling of ceramic fibers, certain geotextile products and in the production of shoulder padding.