Long Staple Processing and Textile Testing

Volume 3, Issue 3, Fall 2003

Dean R. Cobb Institute of Textile Technology

ABSTRACT

Several vendors in the long staple processing area and the textile testing unveiled some improvements to their existing offerings. The long staple improvements came in the form of better design, more productivity, more electronic controls, less maintenance requirements, versatility, and cross compatibility with automation of all types. Improvements from some testing vendors mainly concentrated on yielding more information from the same tests; like the sticky cotton measurement from Lintronics and Weavability from Uster.

Keywords: Long staple processing, short staple textile testing,

Introduction • Modular frame assemblies with no cross-rails. This ITMA 2003 review will • Statically and dynamically balanced concentrate on long staple cardroom cylinders, doffers, and top rollers for processes, textile testing equipment, and a more precise setting. miscellaneous section. As a general rule, • Quick release mechanisms for easier there were no “new” technologies exhibited maintenance. in most areas; however, there were design • Air control collars to reduce fly and trends in equipment and new players improve fiber yield. entering some technology fields. Machinery • Modular design of feedroller and taker- related trends included ease of maintenance, in arrangements allowing more use of servomotors, increased productivity, versatility. and improved quality. • Metal detection systems on board (some models). Long Staple Cardroom Processes • “Underspeed” sensors to prevent chokes at the taker-in. Tatham • All drives with toothed belts for positive

transmissions to carding components. Tatham introduced the “Magnum” • Tatham introduced an auto doffing woolen cards, which are produced in 2.5, mechanism for tape condensers that has 3.0, and 4.0 meters in width. Other features been successfully operating for over a included: year in some installations.

Article Designation: ITMA 1 JTATM Volume 3, Issue 3,Fall 2003 • Tatham upgraded the Microweigh 2000 • Other technologies displayed by NSC to the Microweigh TS for more accurate were electronic draft options, control of fiber feeding to the card. autolevelling, remote controls, machine versatility, and material handling (i.e. Pneumatic Conveyors doffing, cans and balls).

Pneumatic Conveyors introduced their Textile Testing line of fiber lubrication devices, which are designed for the end on the fiber line. The Lintronics three models are the Atomist RSL1, RSL2, and the RSL3; each model offering Lintronics displayed the newest versions technologies for different fiber flows, of the Fiberlab. The system is an all-in-one processes, and more precise controls. short fiber characterization instrument. Fiberlab is available in four versions with Fleissner different capabilities. Fiberlab Pro (the all inclusive model) can test for neps, seed coat Fleissner introduced their new drying fragments, trash, dust, Rd, +b, color, length, system called the “Perforated Drum Dryer”, strength, elongation, micronaire, maturity, which can be used in a variety of long staple fineness, and stickiness using just one finishing lines. The system maintains sample with a cycle time of 60 seconds. uniform drying by even heating and suction across the width while preserving material Uster bulk with a low specific heat requirement. • Uster Fibroglow 380 is a stand-alone H. Hergeth GmBH measurement of fluorescence variations in cotton fibers, which can help Hergeth introduced a new top-feeder, the producers avoid barre issues in yarns miniFLOC-LS, for long staple processing and fabrics. system that can accommodate bales up to • Uster Micronaire 775 is a stand-alone 2.5 meters in height and feed at 2500 instrument for micronaire testing. kilograms per hour. • The Uster Tester 4-SX can normal yarn quality parameters as well as diameter NSC variation, shape, density, and trash contents for better prediction of final NSC showed several long staple product quality. processing machines with new features • Uster has also registered the name relative to older models. Some of the Weavability, as a measurement of features are listed below: outliers found within Uster’s yarn

strength and elongation tests. The • The CA6 and CA7 cards with improved enhanced software points out these electronic controls. “problem points”, which may predicts • The ERA combing machine featured weaving stops as well as giving the link automation integration, easier clients a frequency of the weak places in maintenance, better electronic controls the yarn. and set-up, and increased production • Uster also had examples of their fabric rates. simulation software. Where yarn quality • Gill chain GC30 boosted speeds of up to parameters are input into the program, a 600 meters per minute, easier set-up digital image of fabric appearance is with use of servomotors, automatic shown according to Uster Statistics cleaning, and capability with automation rankings with the possibility of many technologies. different woven styles and colors.

Article Designation: ITMA 2 JTATM Volume 3, Issue 3,Fall 2003