Carding of Tender Wool

Abstract

This is the first of two papers dealing with a new conceptual model of fiber breakage in carding. This model is a departure from the integrated approach previously taken by one of the authors, and instead builds up the description of fiber length distributions after carding from the contributions of individual fibers. This paper first develops the underlying conceptual model of how carding affects individual fibers, and sets up the basis for a computer simulation model to be developed from the theoretical model. Fibers are chosen systematically according to an initial length-area bivariate distribution and are individually subjected to hypothetical capture by a single carding element. The fiber's cross-sectional area along its length is explicitly considered, including the effects of fiber tenderness. The resulting fiber length-area distribution is then processed to yield the familiar hauteur and barbe length after carding distributions.