A 'bobbin' is a spindle or cylinder, with or without flanges, on which
wire,
yarn, thread or
film is wound. Bobbins are typically found in
sewing machines,
cameras, and within
electronic equipment.
As used in
spinning,
weaving,
knitting,
sewing, or
lacemaking, the bobbin provides temporary storage for yarn and may be made of
plastic,
metal,
bone or
wood.
Bobbin lacemaking is a handcraft which requires the winding of yarn onto a temporary storage spindle made of wood, previously bone, often turned on a lathe. Many lace designs use dozens of bobbins at any one time. Exotic woods are extremely popular with contemporary lacemakers. Both traditional and contemporary bobbins may be decorated with designs, inscriptions, or pewter or wire inlays. Often, the bobbins are 'spangled' to provide additional weight to keep the thread in tension. A hole is drilled near the base to enable glass beads and other ornaments to be attached by a loop of wire. Again, in the modern context of the hobby of bobbin lacemaking, these
spangles provide a means of self-expression in the decoration of a tool of the
craft. Both antique and unique bobbins, sometimes spangled, have become highly sought after by collectors.
In the case of a
transformer,
inductor or
relay, the bobbin is a permanent container for the wire, acting to form the shape of the coil (and ease assembly of the windings into or onto the
magnetic core). The bobbin may be made of
thermoplastic or
thermosetting (for example,
phenolic) materials. This plastic often has to have a
UL or other regulatory agency flammability rating for safety reasons.
Other uses
★ Bobbins can also refer to narrow braid formerly used as trimming.{cite}
★ The term
Round Bobbin is used in computing to describe a process which writes its output back to its input source.
★ "Bobbin Threadbare" is the pun-like name of the main character in the 1990 computer game
Loom.
★ The term "Bobbins" appears in northern English slang, meaning "rubbish", ie. Something worthless or incorrect.
External links
★
The Craft of Bobbin Making