Abstract: An apparatus (100) for measuring not only the reflected radiation but also the fluorescence emission of a textile sample (106), which includes a presentation subsystem (102) having a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) has a tunable radiation source (120) for directing a desired radiation (122) having a wavelength range and an intensity through the viewing window (108) toward the sample (106), and thereby causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescence (124). A sensing subsystem (126) has an imager (130) for capturing the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) in an array of pixels. A control subsystem (132) has a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and creates a reflected radiation and fluorescence image containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) of the sample (106).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for measuring not only the reflected radiation but also the fluorescence emission of a textile sample (106), which includes a presentation subsystem (102) having a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) has a tunable radiation source (120) for directing a desired radiation (122) having a wavelength range and an intensity through the viewing window (108) toward the sample (106), and thereby causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescence (124). A sensing subsystem (126) has an imager (130) for capturing the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) in an array of pixels. A control subsystem (132) has a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and creates a reflected radiation and fluorescence image containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) of the sample (106).

Abstract: A loading station for forming a fiber mass for micronaire testing. The loading station has a hopper for receiving an unformed fiber mass. A forming chamber receives the unformed fiber mass from the hopper. The forming chamber includes a non-movable back wall and a non-movable bottom plate with ports formed therein. The ports draw an airflow from the hopper into the forming chamber. A selectively movable isolation plate isolates the forming chamber from the hopper, and a selectively movable horizontal forming wall horizontally compacts the fiber mass into a desired horizontal cross-section. A selectively movable vertical forming wall vertically compacts the fiber mass into a desired vertical cross-section. A selectively movable plunger presses axially along the shaped fiber mass.

Abstract: Automatic operation of a ring spinning system containing a ring spinning machine having spinning positions and a winding machine having winding positions. Yarn is spun at one of the spinning positions and wound up to a cop. Values of a parameter characteristic for the operation of the spinning position are determined during the winding of the cop and stored as spinning data that is assigned to the cop. The spinning data assigned to the cop is taken into account when deciding whether to feed the cop after it has been set down to one of the winding positions. The assignment is based on an identification of a point in time of winding of the cop and an identification of the spinning position at which the cop was wound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing a yarn production process in which foreign materials (90) are monitored in a textile fiber formation (9). The textile fiber formation (9) is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation from at least two color ranges. The foreign materials (90) are classified into different color classes according to their colors. If a sufficiently large random sample with classified foreign materials (90) is available, a frequency distribution of the foreign materials is determined for the color classes and compared with a reference frequency distribution. If the determined frequency distribution deviates from the reference frequency distribution, at least one of a set of multiple optimization actions is performed, e.g., a warning signal is output.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for optically characterizing a textile sample (106) comprises a presentation subsystem (102) comprising a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) comprises a radiation source (120) for directing a first, ultraviolet radiation (122) and a second, visible radiation (123) toward the sample (106), and causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescent radiation (124) and a reflected radiation (125). A sensing subsystem (126) comprises an imager (130) for capturing the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125) in an array of pixels (408). A control subsystem (132) comprises a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and for creating a fluorescent and reflected radiation image (400) containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125).

Abstract: An instrument for identifying at least one of fiber blend composition and fiber blend ratio in an input material moved by a third set of fiber movements. A second spectral radiation source directs radiation toward the input material. A second spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that pass through the input material. A third spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that reflect off of the input material. A controller processes the signals from at least one of the second spectral sensor and the third spectral sensor to determine at least one of the fiber blend composition and the fiber blend ratio in the input material. The controller also sends control signals to the second electromagnetic radiation source and the third set of fiber movements.

Abstract: A method to operate a ring spinning system containing a ring spinning machine having spinning positions and a winding machine having winding positions. Yarn is spun at the spinning position and wound to a cop. Values of a spinning parameter are determined at different times during the winding of the cop and stored as spinning data. The cop is transported from the spinning position to the winding position, where the yarn is rewound from the cop onto a bobbin. Values of a yarn parameter are determined at at least two different times during the rewinding, and stored as yarn data. The spinning data and the yarn data are assigned to each other such that they relate to the same yarn section. Based on the spinning data and yarn data assigned, an intervention is made on the ring spinning machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing a spinning process, through which a fiber material fed in the form of raw fibers and output in the form of yarn passes, with respect to foreign materials. At a first position in the spinning process, a first foreign material information relating to the foreign materials is determined. At a second position in the spinning process, which is downstream with respect to the first position, a second foreign material information relating to the foreign materials is determined. The first foreign material information and the second foreign material information are associated with each other such that they relate to substantially the same sample of the fiber material. Based on the first foreign material information and the second foreign material information assigned thereto, a change is made to the spinning process to optimize the spinning process.

Abstract: A loading station for forming a fiber mass for micronaire testing. The loading station has a hopper for receiving an unformed fiber mass. A forming chamber receives the unformed fiber mass from the hopper. The forming chamber includes a non-movable back wall and a non-movable bottom plate with ports formed therein. The ports draw an airflow from the hopper into the forming chamber. A selectively movable isolation plate isolates the forming chamber from the hopper, and a selectively movable horizontal forming wall horizontally compacts the fiber mass into a desired horizontal cross-section. A selectively movable vertical forming wall vertically compacts the fiber mass into a desired vertical cross-section. A selectively movable plunger presses axially along the shaped fiber mass.

Abstract: An instrument for identifying at least one of fiber blend composition and fiber blend ratio in an input material moved by a third set of fiber movements. A second spectral radiation source directs radiation toward the input material. A second spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that pass through the input material. A third spectral sensor receives portions of the second radiation that reflect off of the input material. A controller processes the signals from at least one of the second spectral sensor and the third spectral sensor to determine at least one of the fiber blend composition and the fiber blend ratio in the input material. The controller also sends control signals to the second electromagnetic radiation source and the third set of fiber movements.

Abstract: The method is used for the automatic operation of a ring spinning system (1) which contains a ring spinning machine (2) having a plurality of spinning positions (21) and a winding machine (3) having a plurality of winding positions (31). Yarn (92) is spun at one of the spinning positions (21) and wound up to a cop (91). For the spinning position (21), values of a parameter characteristic for the operation of the spinning position (21) are determined during the winding of the cop (91) and stored as spinning data. The spinning data are assigned to the cop (91). The cop (91) is set down from the spinning position (21). The spinning data assigned to the cop (91) is taken into account when deciding whether to feed the cop (91) after it has been set down to one of the winding positions (31). The automatic assignment is based on an identification of a point in time of winding of the cop (91) and an identification of the spinning position (21) at which the cop (91) was wound.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for measuring not only the reflected radiation but also the fluorescence emission of a textile sample (106), which includes a presentation subsystem (102) having a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) has a tunable radiation source (120) for directing a desired radiation (122) having a wavelength range and an intensity through the viewing window (108) toward the sample (106), and thereby causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescence (124). A sensing subsystem (126) has an imager (130) for capturing the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) in an array of pixels. A control subsystem (132) has a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and creates a reflected radiation and fluorescence image containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the reflected radiation and fluorescence (124) of the sample (106).

Abstract: The method is used to operate a ring spinning system (1) which contains a ring spinning machine (2) having a plurality of spinning positions (21) and a winding machine (3) having a plurality of winding positions (31). Yarn (92) is spun at one of the spinning positions (21) and wound up to a cop (91). Values of a spinning parameter are determined at different times during the winding of the cop (91) and stored as spinning data. The cop is transported from the spinning position (21) to one of the winding positions (31). At the winding position (31) the yarn (92) is rewound from the cop (91) onto a yarn bobbin (93). Values of a yarn parameter are determined at at least two different times during the rewinding of the cop (91) and stored as yarn data. The spinning data and the yarn data are automatically assigned to each other in such a way that they relate to the same yarn section. Based on the spinning data and yarn data assigned to each other, an intervention is made on the ring spinning machine (2).

Abstract: A fiber testing instrument having a fiber loading station that is sized to accommodate a fiber sample within a desired size range, a fiber extraction device for extracting a portion of the fiber sample for a first battery of fiber tests, a fiber transport device for conveying at least the remaining portion of the fiber sample, and a micronaire chamber for receiving the conveyed fiber sample, where the micronaire chamber is sized to test any fiber sample within the desired size range.

Abstract: The method is for monitoring contamination in a stream of fiber flocks transported pneumatically in an airflow. Characteristics of entities, including contamination, in the stream of fiber flocks are detected and evaluated. Values of a first parameter and a second parameter of the entities are determined from the characteristics of the entities. An event field is provided, which contains a quadrant or a part of a quadrant of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, wherein a first axis defines the first parameter and a second axis defines the second parameter. The values of the first parameter and the second parameter determined for an entity are entered in the event field as coordinates of an event representing the entity. Thus, entities can be handled in a differentiated way.

Abstract: The apparatus is for measuring at least one of color and trash in a fiber sample. A light emitting diode light source generates an incident light that is directed toward the fiber sample, and reflected by the fiber sample, thereby producing a reflected light. A sensor receives the reflected light and produces a signal. A controller controls the light source and the sensor, and at least one of receives and adjusts the signal. At least one of the incident light, the reflected light and the signal is conditioned to compensate for differences between the light emitting diode light source and a xenon light source. Thus, drawbacks of the xenon light source used to date can be avoided.

Abstract: The apparatus is for measuring at least one of color and trash in a fiber sample. A light emitting diode light source generates an incident light that is directed toward the fiber sample, and reflected by the fiber sample, thereby producing a reflected light. A sensor receives the reflected light and produces a signal. A controller controls the light source and the sensor, and at least one of receives and adjusts the signal. At least one of the incident light, the reflected light and the signal is conditioned to compensate for differences between the light emitting diode light source and a xenon light source. Thus, drawbacks of the xenon light source used to date can be avoided.