Uster launches new CLASSIMAT 5 classification system

Parameters measured by the USTER CLASSIMAT have played a vital role in spinning mills and yarn trading worldwide since the instrument was first developed more than 40 years ago. The classification of yarn defects according to their size and length into 23 standard classes is used extensively to certify yarn quality, to help control spinning processes and to optimize yarn clearing at the winding stage.

In the meantime, quality demands have increased enormously. While fault classification based on the well-proven analysis of thick and thin places remains fundamental, it must now also cover critical parameters such as foreign matter, count variation, periodic faults, unevenness and hairiness. An important quality management aspect that has grown rapidly in significance is the need for consistent quality as much as absolute quality. This demands critical new tools for large-scale production, to assess extreme deviations from the quality norm – referred to as outliers.

Classifying all outliers

Addressing these requirements, USTER CLASSIMAT 5 delivers all the traditional classification standards, while broadening its scope to include outliers, which are often the root cause of claims and inconsistent yarn quality. USTER CLASSIMAT 5 for the first time detects and quantifies outliers for periodic faults, evenness, imperfections and hairiness, in addition to critical thick and thin places.

The USTER CLASSIMAT 5 is the tool of choice for those who want to understand the nature and sources of these defects and to develop preventive strategies. Especially important are its powerful foreign matter tools for assessing colored foreign fibers, vegetable matter and – for the first time – polypropylene content.

Powerful analysis capabilities

The full range of quality measurements handled by USTER CLASSIMAT 5 is complemented by powerful analytical tools. USTER CLASSIMAT 5 integrates a clearing limit analysis feature, which can estimate and display the applied clearing limit for the yarn, as well as providing an index to optimize the clearing limit in each area, including foreign matter. Yarns from different lots or suppliers can now be compared, to identify the best and the next best quality levels, with detailed figures available at a click – and presented as intuitive color codings.

State-of-the-art technology

These customer benefits are possible thanks to the most technically-advanced sensors and superior hardware for detection and eventual classification of all types of defects. For the first time, USTER CLASSIMAT 5 measurements are independent of the machine or test speed variations. The unique mounting module includes a special cleaning facility to prevent dirt and fluff in the measuring zone. An array of guides and a tension control also ensure highest accuracy in foreign matter classification.