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Simulation · Minimal Factory · Textiles and weaving

Bocholt textile works · weaving cloth

A weaving mill as a model: weaving sheds under saw-tooth roofs, looms in rows, shuttles and steam engine, plus bale store and spinning mill on the real terrain in Bocholt.

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Real are location, terrain and buildings (official NRW elevation data, OpenStreetMap). Output per loom and workforce have not been handed down, further weaving sheds are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.

Bocholt was a town of weaving mills: the real weaving mill with its saw-tooth roof stands as a block model on its real terrain, and further weaving sheds are added next to it. Looms stand in rows, the shuttles fly back and forth, the steam engine drives the transmission. The yarn comes by truck from the spinning mill, the bales of cloth go by truck to the trade.

Five controls steer the works: investment (one to four weaving sheds), workforce, supply, quality and market. More weaving sheds make more cloth if people, yarn and buyers are there. The bales pile up in the bale store when more is woven than sold.

Real are location, terrain and buildings from official NRW elevation data and OpenStreetMap. Output per loom and workforce have not been handed down; new sheds, quantities, processes and times are an interpretation of our own and model values, and one working day lasts ten seconds. The page is for museums and exhibitions, schools and universities, industrial heritage and local history.

From raw material to product

  1. 01

    supply – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks)

  2. 02

    weaving sheds – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs

  3. 03

    bale store – takes in what is not sold

  4. 04

    dispatch – trucks to the trade

A site at work

01

A site at work

Bocholt textile works: A weaving mill under saw-tooth roofs in Bocholt: looms in rows, the yarn comes from the spinning mill, the bales of cloth go to the trade.

Weaving shed 2 (expansion, interpreted)

02

Weaving shed 2 (expansion, interpreted)

Weaving shed 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.

What is shown – why – for whom

What is shown Why For whom
Weaving shed under saw-tooth roofs WhyShows how halls for weaving mills were built. For whommuseum, teaching
Looms in rows with flying shuttles WhyShows how yarn is woven into cloth. For whommuseum, exhibition
Steam engine and transmission WhyShows how the machines were driven. For whomteaching, history of technology
Spinning mill and yarn trucks WhyShows where the yarn for the weaving mill comes from. For whomteaching, industrial heritage
Bale store WhyShows what happens to bales of cloth the market does not take. For whomeconomics teaching, exhibition
Trucks to the trade WhyShows how the cloth leaves the works. For whomteaching, local history
Five controls with output, bale store and daily result WhyShows connections in operations, not operating figures. For whomeconomics teaching
Weaving shed 4

03

Weaving shed 4

Weaving shed 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.

Five levers, one works

04

Five levers, one works

Full investment – four weaving sheds: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.

Films from the model

  • Above Bocholt textile works

    A flight across the whole site: low approach, Weaving shed 1, then across the works to the long shot – everything moving, with the sound of the works.

  • From raw material to product

    The works’ chain in one flight – supply (yarn from the spinning mill (trucks)), weaving sheds, bale store, dispatch: station by station.

  • A working day in time-lapse

    In time-lapse working days pass in seconds: shifts at the gate, traffic on the supply and dispatch routes, the stockpile (bale store) changing along.

  • A works grows

    Investment step by step: new weaving sheds appear, the workforce grows with them, then more supply and a boom in the market.

  • Bottleneck – the works respond

    First materials run short and the plant only runs in part, then the market takes too little and the stockpile fills up – in the boom the works recover.

  • Using the software

    With the full interface: open the works, set investment and market, look at stockpile and plant – every lever acts at once.

Facilities and areas in the model

  • Weaving sheds

    A weaving shed under saw-tooth roofs: looms stand in rows, the shuttles fly back and forth, the steam engine drives the line shafts. In the game: 1 real, 3 as expansion (interpreted).

  • Bale store

    Whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when it is full the surplus goes at a discount, when the market wants more it is drawn down.

  • Supply

    Yarn from the spinning mill (trucks). A bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.

  • Dispatch

    Trucks to the trade. The market only takes what it needs.

  • Spinning mill

    The yarn comes from here to the weaving shed by truck.

When things get tight

05

When things get tight

Bale store filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.

Medium long shot

06

Medium long shot

Medium long shot – Weaving shed 1: rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs.

Processes in the model

From raw material to product

  1. 01supply – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks)
  2. 02weaving sheds – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs
  3. 03bale store – takes in what is not sold
  4. 04dispatch – trucks to the trade

Expansion

  1. 01raise investment by one step
  2. 02another weaving shed is built on its plot
  3. 03set the workforce to match, otherwise it only runs in part
  4. 04the market decides whether it pays – success in one number at the top

Bottleneck and recovery

  1. 01supply short – the store empties
  2. 02materials missing – the plants only run in part
  3. 03market in a slump – the stockpile grows until the fire sale
  4. 04boom – the stockpile empties, the result rises

What the model can be used for

  • Museum and exhibition

    The weaving shed explains itself on the plant: the looms stand in rows under the saw-tooth roofs, the shuttles fly back and forth, the steam engine drives all looms through the transmission.

    For whommuseums, visitor centres, exhibitions

  • School and university

    How did yarn become cloth, and why do factory halls have saw-tooth roofs? Terms like loom, shuttle, transmission and spinning mill sit where they belong.

    For whomschools, universities, vocational training

  • Industrial heritage and local history

    Bocholt was a town of weaving mills. Weaving mill and surroundings stand on the real terrain, with the spinning mill as supplier of the yarn and the trade as buyer of the bales.

    For whomindustrial heritage, city marketing, local history societies

  • Understanding operations

    Investment, workforce, supply, quality and market act at once on output, bale store and result. It becomes visible why a further weaving shed without yarn, people and buyers costs money.

    For whomeconomics teaching, further training

Weaving shed 1 at work

07

Weaving shed 1 at work

Weaving shed 1 at work – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.

The whole software

08

The whole software

Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.

What you can change

Controls

  • Investment: Number of weaving sheds (1 to 4): more money builds more, less shuts them down; without more people they only run in part.
  • Workforce: Enough people for all weaving sheds – output rises, and so does success. Too many people cost wages without more output.
  • Supply: More material arrives – the plant no longer has to wait. Levels short, normal and double; supply security costs money.
  • Quality: More quality means less scrap and fewer breakdowns but costs testing and maintenance (levels low, normal, high).
  • Market: Slump, normal or boom. In a slump more is made than sold: the stockpile grows and success drops. In a boom the market takes more: the stockpile empties and success rises.

Disruptions

  • Too few people: Workers are missing, part of the plant stands still.
  • Material missing: Supply is not enough; once the store is empty the plants only run in part (message: “Parts store empty – supply is short”).
  • Too much built: More is made than the market takes: the stockpile grows; when it is full the surplus goes at a 40 % discount (message: “Stockpile full – fire sale at a discount”).
  • Market wants more: Demand is greater than the works can make; once the stockpile is empty orders are lost (message: “Stockpile empty – orders are lost”).

What the model brings

  • 01

    The real terrain as a stage

    Weaving mill, spinning mill and surroundings stand on terrain from official elevation data. You show the site as it lies, not as a diagram.

  • 02

    From yarn to bale of cloth

    Spinning mill, weaving shed, bale store: you understand the path of the yarn before you steer the works yourself.

  • 03

    Bottlenecks without damage

    The yarn fails to arrive, the store empties, the bale store fills up. You see where it gets tight first, and set it back.

  • 04

    For big screens and the browser

    Runs in the browser and on large projections. A working day in fast motion lasts ten seconds.

  • Bocholt textile works: A weaving mill under saw-tooth roofs in Bocholt: looms in rows, the yarn comes from the spinning mill, the bales of cloth go to the trade.
    Bocholt textile works: A weaving mill under saw-tooth roofs in Bocholt: looms in rows, the yarn comes from the spinning mill, the bales of cloth go to the trade.
  • Bocholt textile works from the other side – the same site in the afternoon sun from the south-west, with long shadows of halls and structures.
    Bocholt textile works from the other side – the same site in the afternoon sun from the south-west, with long shadows of halls and structures.
  • Medium long shot – Weaving shed 1: rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs.
    Medium long shot – Weaving shed 1: rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs.
  • Far out near Bocholt – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
    Far out near Bocholt – terrain, houses and trees come from official elevation data; at the edge the world fades softly into the dark.
  • From above – Bocholt textile works as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
    From above – Bocholt textile works as a model of blocks: every cell a block, buildings and terrain from elevation data and OpenStreetMap.
  • Bocholt textile works from above at an angle – supply, weaving sheds, bale store and dispatch at a glance.
    Bocholt textile works from above at an angle – supply, weaving sheds, bale store and dispatch at a glance.
  • All around Bocholt: streets, tracks and water from OpenStreetMap, houses and trees from the elevation data – only the plant in the middle is built specially.
    All around Bocholt: streets, tracks and water from OpenStreetMap, houses and trees from the elevation data – only the plant in the middle is built specially.
  • At eye level – Weaving shed 1, as close as from the fence.
    At eye level – Weaving shed 1, as close as from the fence.
  • Weaving shed 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Weaving shed 2 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Weaving shed 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Weaving shed 3 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Weaving shed 4 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
    Weaving shed 4 (expansion, interpreted) – only appears with more investment and runs only with enough people and materials.
  • Bale store – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
    Bale store – whatever is made but not sold ends up here; when there is no room left, the surplus goes at a discount.
  • Supply – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks): a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
    Supply – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks): a bigger contract costs more, the store buffers short gaps.
  • Spinning mill – the yarn comes from here to the weaving shed by truck.
    Spinning mill – the yarn comes from here to the weaving shed by truck.
  • Weaving shed 1 close up – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs.
    Weaving shed 1 close up – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs.
  • Bale store close up – stack upon stack as soon as more is made than the market takes.
    Bale store close up – stack upon stack as soon as more is made than the market takes.
  • Supply in full swing – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks); the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
    Supply in full swing – yarn from the spinning mill (trucks); the bigger the contract, the more is on the move.
  • Weaving shed 1 at work – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
    Weaving shed 1 at work – rows of looms under the saw-tooth roofs; the machines run with the works’ utilisation.
  • Weaving shed 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
    Weaving shed 4 – the expansion runs along as long as people, materials and market suffice.
  • Bale store in day-to-day operation – stack upon stack as soon as more is made than the market takes.
    Bale store in day-to-day operation – stack upon stack as soon as more is made than the market takes.
  • Dispatch – trucks to the trade; in a boom more is on the move, in a slump less.
    Dispatch – trucks to the trade; in a boom more is on the move, in a slump less.
  • At the gate – the shifts arrive here, paths lead to the plants, the workshop and the break area.
    At the gate – the shifts arrive here, paths lead to the plants, the workshop and the break area.
  • Full steam – all four weaving sheds running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
    Full steam – all four weaving sheds running, the market booming: supply and dispatch routes are at their busiest.
  • Small investment – only Weaving shed 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
    Small investment – only Weaving shed 1 runs, the other plots lie ready as marked foundations.
  • Full investment – four weaving sheds: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
    Full investment – four weaving sheds: capacity for the boom, but only with enough people and materials.
  • Every facility labelled – weaving shed 1 to 4, bale store, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
    Every facility labelled – weaving shed 1 to 4, bale store, supplier and market; at the top the working day with the daily output, on the right success in one number.
  • Weaving shed 1 labelled – name and number right in the picture.
    Weaving shed 1 labelled – name and number right in the picture.
  • Success in one number – 100 means it cannot get better in this market; below it the result per day, at the top the output per working day.
    Success in one number – 100 means it cannot get better in this market; below it the result per day, at the top the output per working day.
  • Where a lever acts, a ring lights up – here after a change in the market: bale store.
    Where a lever acts, a ring lights up – here after a change in the market: bale store.
  • Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the weaving sheds only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
    Materials missing – supply is short, the store is empty: the weaving sheds only run in part, the supply route is quiet.
  • Bale store filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.
    Bale store filling up – more is made than sold; when there is no room left the surplus goes at a 40 % discount.
  • Boom – the market takes more than is being made: the stockpile empties, the dispatch route is busy.
    Boom – the market takes more than is being made: the stockpile empties, the dispatch route is busy.
  • The whole software – at the top the working day with clock and output, on the right success in one number, below the tiles for works and facilities.
    The whole software – at the top the working day with clock and output, on the right success in one number, below the tiles for works and facilities.
  • Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.
    Running the works – five levers: investment, workforce, supply, quality and market; the chain shows at once what follows.
  • One lever, visible at once – market set to slump: the status line explains the bottleneck, the stockpile grows, the daily result drops.
    One lever, visible at once – market set to slump: the status line explains the bottleneck, the stockpile grows, the daily result drops.
  • Facility card – weaving shed: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
    Facility card – weaving shed: in operation, workforce and utilisation, plus one sentence on what happens there.
  • Stockpile card – bale store: stock, space used and growth per day.
    Stockpile card – bale store: stock, space used and growth per day.
  • Supplier card – delivery per day, store and material costs per day.
    Supplier card – delivery per day, store and material costs per day.
  • Market card – demand, sold and turnover per day.
    Market card – demand, sold and turnover per day.
  • Bottleneck in orange – supply is not enough: the line at the top and the works status say in one sentence what is missing.
    Bottleneck in orange – supply is not enough: the line at the top and the works status say in one sentence what is missing.
  • The menu – overview and plant, cutaway, restart, demo, sound and other sites, below the controls for mouse, touch and keyboard.
    The menu – overview and plant, cutaway, restart, demo, sound and other sites, below the controls for mouse, touch and keyboard.
  • Sixteen real sites – blast furnaces, collieries, car plants, harbours and a shipyard, each where it really stands.
    Sixteen real sites – blast furnaces, collieries, car plants, harbours and a shipyard, each where it really stands.

Your site as a model

Would you like to show your plant, your museum or your industrial site like this? Write to us or call. We will send you the password for starting it on request.

Start with password

Request the password if you are interested →

Ask about this

Minimal Factory: Textilwerk Bocholt · Stoff weben

What you enter goes to this site alone and serves only to answer you.

Basis and limits

Real are the location, terrain and buildings in Bocholt (official NRW elevation data and OpenStreetMap). The plant in the middle is our own simplified interpretation: quantities, processes, times and prices are model assumptions; the economy runs in time-lapse (10 seconds are one working day). Not a simulation of real operations and no cooperation with the site.

Public sources the model is based on:

  • Wikipedia (German), article on the site: Textilwerk Bocholt
  • Geobasis NRW: digital surface and terrain models DOM1/DGM1 (Data licence Germany – Zero – 2.0)
  • OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): streets, tracks, water, land use

More places in the model

← Minimal Factory

Real are location, terrain and buildings (official NRW elevation data, OpenStreetMap). Output per loom and workforce have not been handed down, further weaving sheds are interpreted; quantities, processes and times are model values. With your data, the model shows your site and your processes.