Numerical simulation of top roller pressure and deformation in ring spinning with three draft zones using finite element method

Abstract

Purpose This paper presented a new kind of ring spinning frame with four pairs of rollers, and they are the front roller and the front top roller, the first middle roller (FMR) and the first middle top roller (FMTR), the second middle roller and the second middle top roller, the back roller and the back top roller. The FMR is the front roller of middle draft zone, and the back roller of the front draft zone. Therefore, the deformation of FMTR during spinning is an important factor for yarn quality, which was studied in this paper. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, by finite element method (FEM), the pressure and deformation of FMTR were studied. FMTR made from steel and sleeved carbon fiber were compared. 5.8tex, 4.9tex and 3.9tex cotton yarns were spun, and corresponding numerical simulations of FMTR pressure and deformation were presented in ANSYS software and comparatively analyzed. Then, corresponding yarn qualities were compared. Findings The results indicate that pressure and deformation of FMTR have little effects on yarn tenacity and hairiness, while have great effects on yarn evenness. For 5.8tex and 4.9tex cotton yarn, yarns spun by FMTR made from sleeved carbon fiber have larger pressure and deformation at the middle of nipper bites of FMR and FMTR, and yarn evenness is better. For 3.9tex cotton yarns, at the middle of nipper bites of FMR and FMTR, FMTR made from steel has smaller pressure. But deformation of FMTR made from steel is larger, and yarn evenness is better. Originality/value This paper studied pressure and deformation of FMTR by finite element method (FEM), which serve as a theoretical underpinning for yarn spinning in three draft zones ring spinning machine.