Weaving machine with modularized drive

A weaving machine comprising a lay beam which by means of drive elements is movable between a rear position, in which the introduction of the weft thread into a warp arrangement can be realized, and a front position, in which a beat-up against a beating-up edge of the respective introduced weft thread can be effected, wherein the drive elements comprise two or more crankshaft parts rotatable along the width direction of the weaving machine and according to a common rotational center line, in that the crankshaft parts are situated in stands comprising modules or intermediate sections, which respectively also comprise a lay sword which is mounted rotatably on a lay sword shaft and is connected to a connecting rod belonging to the module or the intermediate section, in that the module or the intermediate section comprises at least one individual motor turning the crankshaft part thereof, and in that the weaving machine comprises or is connected to a control system provided with or interacting with a rotary motion control unit and arranged to control, via amplifying elements, the motors of the intermediate sections for mutual synchronous rotary motion of the crankshaft parts of the various modules or intermediate sections.