Megado Dobby 1 vs Dobby 2

Megado – Dobby 1 vs Dobby 2: Explanation and Differences

There are many Megado looms in use with Dobby 1, and these systems continue to function well. However, customers often ask about the need for Dobby 2 and the reasoning behind this development. Below is an explanation.

Why Dobby 2 was developed

Operating systems such as macOS and Windows are constantly evolving, and this is something we cannot control as a hardware manufacturer.

A current example (2024) is that macOS versions 11, 12, 13 and newer no longer function reliably with USB-to-serial drivers, even when using widely adopted commercial drivers.

Louet uses a standard, commonly available driver, but increasing security restrictions in macOS have made stable operation more difficult.

How Dobby 2 works

The Louet Dobby 2 is a self-contained system that directly controls your Megado loom.

This allows you to:

1. Design patterns in third-party weaving software
2. Save the design as a WIF file
3. Load the WIF file onto the Dobby 2
4. Weave without needing a continuous computer connection

Important information

Compatibility with older systems

• Dobby 1 and Dobby 2 can both still be used with older Mac computers
• Older macOS versions work well with the required drivers
• Using an older computer can be a temporary solution if needed

Mechanical differences between Dobby 1 and Dobby 2

• Before 2014:
  Megado dobbies used magnets and magnetic sensors
• After 2014:
  Louet introduced metal detection sensors

These newer sensors require:

• A metal switch block
• A distance of within 1 mm from the sensor for proper operation

Mounting and alignment changes

Previously:

• The dobby was mounted with 2 bolts (one on each side)
• Alignment was not critical due to strong magnetic fields

With newer systems:

• Precise alignment is required
• If the dobby is not parallel, sensors may not detect correctly

To solve this:

• The Megado frame was updated to use 4 mounting points (2 per side)
• This ensures correct alignment and reliable sensor detection

For older looms:

• An adjustable buffer is included to help align the dobby properly

Compatibility summary

Both Dobby 1 and Dobby 2 are compatible with all versions of the Megado loom

Software updates (Dobby 2)

The Louet Dobby 2 supports remote software updates.

This allows:

• Fixing corrupted software
• Updating to newer versions
• Adding new features

To update:

• Connect the Dobby 2 to the internet using the provided Ethernet-to-USB adapter
• Connect via an Ethernet cable to your router

This ensures a long lifecycle and future compatibility of the system.

Need help?

If you have any questions, please contact us by opening a ticket through our support system.