Compact Spinning
Protruding fibres from the body of yarn, known as hairiness, is a characteristic feature of staple fibre yarns. This gives the yarns and fabrics made from them a softer and comfortable feel. At the same time, hairiness has some undesirable effects as pointed below
1.Full ralisation of strength of fibres is not realised as part of the fibres are not integrated in the yarn
2.Rough feel is given to yarns
3.Variation in hairniess is a source of weft bars and warp way streaks in fabric.
4.Long protruding hairs from yarn contribute to multiple breaks in weaving and fabric faults like stitches and floats.
Compact spinning is designed to reduce hairiness in yarn. In traditional spinning fibres in the selvedge of strand emerging from front roller nip do not get fully integrated into yarn because of restriction to twist flow by the spinning triangle. These fibres therefore show up partly as protruding hairs or wild fibres. To overcome this effect, the spinning triangle is nearly eliminated in compact spinning by incorporating a condensing zone after main drafting zone. The condensing zone has a revolving perforated apron with suction underneath. The fibres are collected on the perforated track and thus get condensed. The width of strand under front roller nip is substantially reduced and this enables twist to flow right up to nip. As a result hairiness is substantially reduced. Compact spinning systems are offered by Rieter(Comforspin), Suessen(Elite) and ITV-Zinser among others. Benefits claimed from comfort spinning are
1.15-20% reduction in hairiness of yarn, the reduction being more pronounced in long length hairs
2.10-15% improvement in yarn tenacity
3.Twist in yarn can be reduced by 10% while maintaining same yarn strength
4.Better evennes of diameter and hairiness.
5.Better abrasion resistance of yarn leading to less end breaks in weaving. 6.Loom shed droppings and linting in knitting are reduced
7.Size% can be reduced by 30-50%
8.Singeing can be omitted
9.Reduced pilling and better dye uptake in fabric
About the Author
Qualifications:B.Sc., B.Sc.(Tech),M.sc., Ph.D., A.T.I., F.T.I.,
Experience: Over 45 years experience in R&D and Technical consultancy to Textile mills. Retired as Joint Director of BTRA. Presently providing consultancy to mills. Has a web site http://bala.bravehost.com
Publications; Over 150 in journals and over 100 presentations in Seminars and conferences.