Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural product, its many variabilities present some extremely complex challenges.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
What kind of cotton to choose? How to process it into good quality yarn, profitably? Testing is the answer, accurate testing of fibers using the USTER AFIS PRO 2 to ensure spinners make the most of their valuable raw material by precisely optimizing their processing machinery.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
Spinners everywhere are all-too familiar with the challenges of processing raw cotton into best-selling yarns their customers will appreciate. Cotton presents several problems if a yarn is to be made at to the specified quality with a reasonable profit for the mill. A particular headache for spinners is the level of neps – too many of which cause troublesome defects and can leave conspicuous white specks in the yarn.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
Tackling the problem before spinning calls for reliable quality data, covering key parameters for neps. And this is where the USTER AFIS PRO 2 comes into its own, providing accurate information on total nep count and size, fiber nep count and size, seedcoat nep count and size, and maturity. Armed with this knowledge, spinners can optimize their spinning preparation processes to achieve the consistent quality levels their customers demand.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
Fiber maturity – a vital test parameter
Selecting the right raw material and the best way to process it are crucial for spinners, and the results from suitable fiber testing routines are essential aids. Good decisions here determine the quality level of the finished yarn – which in turn is a major element in the spinner's continuing profitability.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
The role of the USTER AFIS PRO 2 fiber testing instrument from Uster Technologies in process optimization is wide-ranging, but it can be neatly exemplified by focusing on one specific area of concern to spinners: fiber maturity. The challenge here is to identify and deal with immature fiber content. Immature fibers are a real menace in spinning, causing breakages, unacceptable nep counts, excessive short fibers, and even high levels of waste.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
At spinning, these problems inevitably lead to the unwanted combination of high yarn defect levels and low raw material yield. Downstream in subsequent process stages, neps caused by immature fibers will appear as white specks in dyed fabric, rendering the material off-quality and adversely affecting profits.
Cotton is the world's favorite fiber, and a superb raw material for many textile end-uses. But it is by no means easy to work with – as a natural#
Spinners can protect themselves from these risks, thanks to the USTER AFIS PRO 2. The system's data from a sequence of material tests – from blowroom to finisher drawframe – allows constant monitoring and accurate information on nep levels (especially fiber neps), fiber maturity, immature fiber levels and short fiber content.