Microprocessor Improves Wool Fiber-Length Measurements and Extends the Application 1

Abstract

The Almeter AL-100 is a new version of the Almeter instrument for the measure ment of the fiber length, using a microprocessor instead of analog computing circuits for the calculation of the distribution and the corresponding parameters. In this paper the different forms of fiber-length distribution given by the new instrument: hauteur (close to numerical), barbe (biased by weight), and tuft are explained. The different histograms, cumulative diagrams, and tables of parameters obtained on a digital display or in print-out are shown. A general description of the instrument, including the sample-preparation technique, is given and illustrated by photographs. The applications of the fiber-length measurement are reviewed and illustrated by two examples. A detailed technical description and several other examples of applications will be given in Parts II and III, forthcoming.

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