Source: http://www.textiletopics.ttu.edu

INTRODUCTION:

During the last two decades, components of ring spinning machines have been greatly improved. Changes in drafting systems, drive systems, and robotics have enabled large gains in productivity, flexibility, and quality (Stahlecker, 1995; Seuberling, 1995; Hequet, et. al, 1998).

Most of the technical advances in ring spinning were aimed at improving the performance of the existing technology. In recent years, however, a bona fide innovation has occurred. It has been called compact or condensed spinning, because it minimizes width and height of the spinning triangle associated with ring spinning (see Figure 1).

Several experts have described the technical principles of compact spinning that result in a more organized structure without peripheral fibers and with a better twist distribution (Artzt, 2000; Meyer, 2000; Olbrich, 2000; Stalder, 2000). As a result of this enhanced structure, the compact yarn shows higher strength, reduced hairiness, and improved evenness (see Figure 1).

The first compact spinning system to be commercialized is by the Rieter Corporation and is called Com4 spinning. This system was designed and is marketed only for use with extra-long-staple cottons to make only the very fine yarn sizes (i.e., 50 Ne and finer). However, compact spinning systems are also made by Suessen (the EliTe) and by Zinser (the Air-Com-Tex 700), both which are designed to accommodate the full spectrum of staple lengths spun today. These compact spinning systems offer the possibility of using cottons with shorter staple lengths to produce high-quality yarns that heretofore required long- or extra-long-staple cottons.

This paper reports results obtained from spinning various Texas upland cottons, along with some other representative U.S. upland cottons, on both conventional and compact spinning systems. The spinning machines used were the Suessen Fiomax 1000 (for conventional ring spinning) and the Suessen EliTe 1000 (the Fiomax 1000 fitted with the compacting system). The focus is twofold: (1) evaluate the performance of these cottons on modern conventional ring spinning machines, and (2) evaluate the improvements in performance resulting from compact spinning.

Figure 1: Spinning Triangle and Yarn Structure; Conventional Ring Spun Yarn versus Compact Yarn.