Carding Fiber Load Measurement

Abstract

An optical means is presented for measuring areal fiber density on-line on com mercial carding elements. The splitting fractions of the various elements have been evaluated through a process of peeling fiber loads from the elements, and these fractions have subsequently been used in instrument calibration. The optical device is used to monitor fiber loading of the main cylinder while doffer fiber loading and feed roll speed are also being monitored. The instrumentation itself has been studied for sen sitivity, reproducibility, limitations, and possible sources of internal and external noise. The instrumentation is then used on-line to study mechanisms of fiber transfer and storage. Results of dynamic testing under conditions of varying feed rates offer insight into the process of carding. The complex nature of element loading and unloading has been partially elucidated. Hypotheses are proposed and experimental results pro vided as supporting evidence.