Effect of can-storage parameters of finisher drawframe on combed ring spun yarn quality

Abstract

Purpose The present work is a systematic study to understand the cause of poor quality of sliver, roving and yarn due to defective sliver storage can-spring at finisher drawframe machine in spinning preparatory. This study aims to investigate the influence of can-spring stiffness factor, sliver deposition rate and sliver coils position on yarn unevenness and thin places considering two cases of sliver storage time. Design/methodology/approach Combed ring spun yarn samples were produced by varying finisher drawframe variables, which were can-spring stiffness, delivery speed and sliver coils position in storage can. For research design, three-factor three levels of Box-Behnken experimental design was adopted. To investigate the effect of sliver storage time on combed yarn unevenness and thin places, yarn samples were produced at 8 h sliver storage time and without allowing any storage time. Sliver storage time is the time for which combed drawn sliver kept idle in storage cans before feeding to speedframe machine. The 8 h sliver storage time was considered for present study after consulting industrial experts. Adequate numbers of the samples were tested for yarn quality parameters such as yarn unevenness and thin places 50 per cent/km on standard instruments. Finally, the test results were analyzed using statistical software to check the statistical significance of all the independent variables on observed response through analysis of variance. Findings The experimental results showed that the yarn samples produced from older can-springs and bottom position sliver coils stored at 8 h storage time were showing higher yarn unevenness and thin places compared to other yarn samples. The results also showed that the effect of delivery speed is not significant on yarn unevenness for samples produced without allowing any sliver storage time. Research limitations/implications The present study is an outcome of a practical problem experienced at the finisher drawframe machine in a spinning industry. For this purpose, only scrutinized finisher drawframe variables were considered for the evaluation. There are many equally important other factors, which were not considered due to research work feasibility. Social implications This paper investigates the effect of some imperative factors at the finisher drawframe stage on combed yarn quality. The present study will boost existing knowledge of the spinner’s community regarding the effect of can-spring stiffness, sliver coils position and storage time on resultant combed yarn quality parameters. Originality/value The work is original and only a few references are available. The study reveals that storage can-spring stiffness should be chosen carefully for better sliver handling. It is observed that finisher drawframe can-spring stiffness, sliver storage time and sliver coils position play a vital role in deciding quality characteristics of stored sliver and ultimately affect yarn quality.