What textile machine did Leonardo da Vinci design to automate weaving?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a mechanical loom intended to automate parts of the weaving process.

A loom interlaces two sets of threads: the lengthwise warp and the crosswise weft. Leonardo’s design used coordinated mechanical actions to move threads and assist the insertion of the weft, reducing the amount of repetitive manual work required from a weaver.

The design is not a spinning wheel, which twists fibers into yarn before weaving. It is also not a cotton gin, which separates cotton fibers from seeds. These machines belong to different stages of textile production.

Leonardo’s textile studies show how he applied cams, gears, frames, and timed motion to manufacturing. As with many of his inventions, the surviving drawings document an ambitious concept, but they do not prove that he built a fully operating version.