The weft thread presenting mechanism is intended for a weaving loom in which a weft thread selector comprises one or more sets of elements to present selected threads to a weft insertion gripper. After insertion and taking-over by a pull-through gripper, each thread is cut and that thread, or a newly selected thread, is clamped by the cutter and returned for the next shot as the reed returns. The selector elements are controlled by a programmable unit of the open shed type. The threads are fed off bobbins via guides and a slide member reciprocates synchronously with the reed to move the selected thread to the gripper head for engagement by the gripper. The cutter swivels to and fro during the beat-up and return stroke of the reed to cut the inserted thread and position the next thread. The mechanism eliminates unnecessary movements of the ends of inserted weft threads where the weave pattern demands successive shots of the same-colour thread and thus reduces the risk of thread breakage etc. inherent in existing units. It readily lends itself to use in a double-shed weaving loom by using sets of thread presenting elements arranged above one another without this interfering with the thread cutting operation and without requiring an external power source.
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