Abstract: The apparatus (1) is used for forming a ball of yarn. It contains a container (2) having an internal volume (21) which is outwardly bounded in the vertical direction partially by an internal wall (31) and in the horizontal direction completely by the internal wall (31). The internal wall (31) has an inlet opening (41) through which the yarn is injectable into the internal volume (21) by means of an air flow. The internal wall (31) is rigid. The internal volume (21) has a downwardly open outlet opening (22) for a yarn ball formed in the internal volume (21). A lower part (33) of the internal wall (31) is inclined downwardly towards the outlet opening (22). By virtue of the rigid construction, the apparatus is simple and cost-effective. Possible problems with moving parts are avoided.

Abstract: A surface inspection system, as well as related components and methods, are provided. The surface inspection system includes a beam source subsystem, a beam scanning subsystem, a workpiece movement subsystem, an optical collection and detection subsystem, and a processing subsystem. The optical collection and detection system features, in the front quartersphere, a light channel assembly for collecting light reflected from the surface of the workpiece, and a front collector and wing collectors for collecting light scattered from the surface, to greatly improve the measurement capabilities of the system. The light channel assembly has a switchable edge exclusion mask and a reflected light detection system for improved detection of the reflected light.

Abstract: A measuring circuit used for the capacitive examination of a moving elongated textile test material such as card sliver, roving, yarn or woven fabric, having a measuring capacitor for accommodating the test material, and a component with a capacitance which can be changed by an electric control signal. The measuring circuit can thus be balanced in a simple, rapid, cost-effective and especially automatic way.

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: 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: Using a substrate with at least one optical waveguide structure integrated thereon for the optical inspection of a moving textile material. A scanning region is provided on the substrate for optically scanning the textile material. The optical waveguide structure opens at least partly into the scanning region. The device arranged in this manner requires little space, can be used in a versatile manner and can be changed or maintained with very little effort.

Abstract: A measuring circuit used for the capacitive examination of a moving elongated textile test material such as card sliver, roving, yarn or woven fabric, having a measuring capacitor for accommodating the test material, and a component with a capacitance which can be changed by an electric control signal. The measuring circuit can thus be balanced in a simple, rapid, cost-effective and especially automatic way.

Abstract: A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement.

Abstract: The capacitive measuring circuit for a moved elongated test material contains at least two measuring capacitors, each of which is configured for receiving the test material. It further contains electrically actuatable selection means, by means of which one of the measuring capacitors can be selected in such a way that only the selected measuring capacitor contributes to the measurement, whereas the other measuring capacitors do not. As a result, the total capacitance of the measuring circuit is reduced and its sensitivity is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a dielectric property of a capacitor arrangement, having an alternating signal generator for applying an electric alternating signal to the capacitor arrangement. It further contains an evaluation circuit for evaluating at least one electric measuring quantity of an electric signal tapped from the capacitor arrangement. It further comprises balancing means which are arranged in an electric path between the alternating signal generator and the capacitor arrangement and by means of which a parameter of the electric alternating signal can be changed in such a way that an output signal of the evaluation circuit assumes a specific value, preferably zero, under defined constant conditions. Control means are provided for emitting an electric control signal to the balancing means, by means of which the change of the at least one parameter can be controlled. The apparatus can thus be balanced in a simple, rapid, cost-effective and especially automatic way.

Abstract: Readings of a characteristic of the yarn along the longitudinal direction of the yarn are detected. Values of a yarn parameter are determined from the readings. An event field contains a quadrant of a two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, whose abscissa defines an extension of yarn parameter values in the longitudinal direction and whose ordinate defines a deviation of the yarn parameter from a desired value. Densities of events in the event field are determined from the values of the yarn parameter and their extensions in the longitudinal direction. A yarn body is represented as an area in the event field. The area on the one hand is delimited by the abscissa, on the other hand by the ordinate and further by a line in the event field that substantially follows a constant event density. The representation of the yarn body permits a clearing limit to be defined in a rapid and rational manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one dielectric property of a capacitor arrangement, and especially for capacitive examination of a moving elongated test subject such as yarn. It contains an alternating signal generator for applying an electric alternating signal to the capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement is uncoupled from the alternating signal generator by means of an amplifier in such a way that it does not relevantly influence the basic frequency and the signal shape of the applied alternating signal. Detection means detect an electric measuring variable of an electric signal tapped from the capacitor arrangement. The alternating signal generator is set up in such a way that at least one of the basic frequency and the signal shape of the applied alternating signal can be changed.

Abstract: A combination of a disc-type yarn tensioner is proposed, comprising a pneumatic cleaning device, which is fixedly assigned thereto. The disc-type yarn tensioner comprises an axle on which two brake plates are rotatably mounted by means of one rotary bearing each. It further comprises a pressure mechanism for applying axial pressure forces to the brake plates, which pressure forces press the brake plates against each other. The pneumatic cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle whose flow axis is directed from the outside substantially towards one of the rotary bearings. The compressed air flow exiting from the nozzle cleans the disc-type yarn tensioner. It is thus ensured that the rotary bearings of the brake plates accumulate less dirt and the rotary movement of the brake plates is braked with the intended braking force.

Abstract: A measuring head for testing yarn, having a measuring slit for accommodating the yarn and a first yarn guide element for guiding the yarn through the measuring slit. A second yarn guide element for guiding the yarn outside of the measuring slit. The yarn path outside of the measuring slit is used when at least one of a zero point calibration and an adjustment of the measuring head needs to be performed. A measuring head arranged in this manner is especially suitable for use in classifying yarn defects in the textile laboratory.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sample including fibers and trash, having a cylinder rotating in a first direction for receiving the sample. The cylinder has a surface with rigid pins. The pins engage and retain the fibers of the sample. A collection surface receives the trash that falls from the cylinder. A counter-flow of air moves in a separation region between the cylinder and the collection surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to and towards the underside of the cylinder. The counter-flow of air has at each position within the separation region an air-flow velocity that is sufficient for the counter-flow of air to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder and thereby engaging the fibers with the cylinder, and yet insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward through the counter-flow of air.

Abstract: A measuring circuit used for the capacitive examination of a moving elongated textile test material such as card sliver, roving, yarn or woven fabric, having a measuring capacitor for accommodating the test material, and a component with a capacitance which can be changed by an electric control signal. The measuring circuit can thus be balanced in a simple, rapid, cost-effective and especially automatic way.

Abstract: A fiber sample conditioning system having a comb for engaging and retaining fibers to form a beard, and at least two rotating brushes for brushing the fibers simultaneously from opposite sides of the beard in a direction along the fibers away from the comb.

Abstract: The capacitive measuring circuit for a moved elongated test material contains at least two measuring capacitors, each of which is configured for receiving the test material. It further contains electrically actuatable selection means, by means of which one of the measuring capacitors can be selected in such a way that only the selected measuring capacitor contributes to the measurement, whereas the other measuring capacitors do not. As a result, the total capacitance of the measuring circuit is reduced and its sensitivity is increased.

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: An apparatus for processing a sample of fibers and trash, having a cylinder for receiving the sample. Pins extend from the surface of the cylinder and retain the fibers. A knife extends along the cylinder adjacent the pins, and removes the trash that is not retained by the pins. The trash is separated from the sample along a downward direction. A counter-flow of air in an upward direction is directed towards the cylinder, where the velocity is sufficient to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder, and yet is insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward.