AVL Professional Dobby Rug Loom: The Rug Loom for Professional Demands.
The AVL Professional Dobby Rug Loom is the only commercially available hand-powered dobby rug loom in the world – and since its introduction in the 1990s, the benchmark for professional rug weavers worldwide. With weaving widths from 300 cm to 600 cm (10' to 20'), up to 32 shafts, and a robust steel-and-wood construction, this loom is built for the hardest continuous use. Made in Chico, California, USA.
- ✔ Three weaving widths – 300 cm (10'), 460 cm (15'), or 600 cm (20')
- ✔ Up to 32 shafts – mechanical dobby system (Compu-Dobby® optional)
- ✔ Pneumatic shed opening – effortless, precise, durable
- ✔ Pneumatic warp tension brake – even tension across the full width
- ✔ Steel-and-wood construction (from 10 ft / 300 cm primarily steel)
- ✔ Metal heddles – designed for heavy warp threads and high thread tension
- ✔ 2-year AVL warranty – including illustrated manual and factory service
Why the AVL Professional Dobby Rug Loom?
The only one of its kind. There is no other commercially available device like this loom anywhere in the world. AVL closed a market gap in the early 1990s that still exists today: a machine that combines craft quality and dobby precision with the robustness of a rug loom. Anyone who seriously weaves rugs – in professional quantities – uses nothing else.
Pneumatics instead of muscle power. The pneumatic shed opening takes the physical strain out of weaving. Instead of lifting heavy shafts with foot power, a light impulse is enough – even with extremely heavy warp materials like coarse linen, jute, or multi-ply wool, the loom works reliably and evenly.
Built like industrial equipment. The steel frame (from 300 cm weaving width) is designed not for years but for decades. Professional rug weavers worldwide describe it as the most robust piece of equipment in their studio. Those who weave daily need a tool that can keep up.
Expandable for any production. Optionally upgradable with pneumatic fly shuttle (1, 2, or 4-box), automatic cloth advance, and automatic warp unrolling – for maximum efficiency on large projects.
Technical Specifications
| 300 cm (10') | 460 cm (15') | 600 cm (20') |
| Height | 163 cm | 163 cm | 163 cm |
| Total width | 380 cm | 530 cm | 680 cm |
| Depth | 168 cm | 168 cm | 168 cm |
| Number of heddles | 1,000 | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Weight | 1,315 kg | 1,950 kg | 2,630 kg |
* An air compressor is required for operation (not included). Specifications available on request.
What's Included & Options
Included: Mechanical dobby system, pneumatic shed opening, 8, 12, 16, or 32 shafts with metal heddles, sliding beater with stainless steel reed of your choice, plain or sectional warp beam with pneumatic warp brake (optional second warp beam), steel frame construction, illustrated manual, tool holder, 2-year AVL factory warranty, 1-year Handweaving.net membership.
Optional upgrades: Compu-Dobby® system, pneumatic fly shuttle (1, 2, or 4-box), automatic cloth advance, automatic warp unrolling, second warp beam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What air compressor do I need? AVL recommends compressors based on specific consumption data (available on request). An air dryer is recommended for continuous operation. Details in the linked AVL technical documents.
Is the loom suitable for materials other than rugs? It is optimized for heavy materials – wool, linen, jute, cottoline. For fine yarns and fabrics, the A-Series or SDL is more appropriate.
What distinguishes the Professional Dobby Rug Loom from an ordinary rug loom? The dobby system. Ordinary rug looms are limited to a few shafts with foot treadles. The AVL enables up to 32 shafts with mechanical or computer-controlled dobby – and thus a depth of pattern unique in the world of handwoven rugs.
How long does assembly take? Assembly typically takes about one day. AVL provides a thoroughly illustrated manual; technical support is available directly through AVL if needed.