Cotton testing methods, fiber quality, and the impact on spinning process productivity have been at the heart of the International Cotton Conference since 1965. Experts in textile processing discuss from different perspectives. We take a deep look into textile processes with a focus on greater efficiency and speed.

On Friday, 30th September, two sessions at the Cotton Conference will address some problem areas within textile processes and at the same time offer ideas for suitable solutions. Examples include:

Precleaning of Cotton

For Ralf Müller from the German textile machine manufacturer Trützschler, a higher cleaning performance, growing production demands and flexibility of the processing of raw materials are key topics of the spinning preparation of cotton. The removal of coarse contaminations is of particular importance here. For this purpose, Trützschler has developed a new generation of a precleaning aggregate that due to doubled production capacity leads to a reduction of energy consumption and to a significant increase of cleaning efficiency compared with the forerunners. With this, Trützschler wants to make the preliminary stage of the blow room more productive, especially because the processes could be regulated by an electronic waste control system. After all, according to Trützschler, intelligent cleaning can spare the wastage of up to 150 bales of cotton per year if it causes a maximum utilisation of raw material and a minimal loss of good fibres. 

Targeted Raw Material Management Pays off

Oswald Baldischwieler from Swiss company Uster explains in his speech that in order to reach a consistent quality of cotton products like yarns and fabrics it is necessary to carry out an intensive examination of the cotton fibres in the early stages of production. Uster is a world leader in textile examination and quality control.

For Uster, targeted raw material management is important for the success of a spinning mill because it absorbs the main part of costs for the spinning mill. In most countries, the raw material cotton accounts for more than 60 percent of total yarn production costs. An optimal blending of fibres at the moment of opening the bale is prerequisite for a consistent and long-lasting yarn quality. It is crucial to keep yarn quality variations at a minimum and the quality as constant as possible in the long term. Bail management pays off.

Spinning Waste Cotton

Rieter AG, Harald Schwippl: The recycling of raw materials has been an increasing trend for several years to achieve more sustainability. In addition to the recycling of chemically or mechanically dissolved raw materials, the recycling of spinning waste is also a possibility to meet the increasing demand for raw material recycling.

For this purpose, carding or blowroom waste is processed. The study shows which adjustments are necessary in the spinning process for recycling. It also shows which spinning units and qualities are possible as a result. The raw material was used to produce a rotor yarn.

Shortening Production Processes

Yonathan Sissay from the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute, Addis Ababa, will report on the results of his research. It is about reducing lead times in production processes of clothing from the fabric warehouse and manufacturing to packaging and delivery. In the study, necessary and unnecessary working steps were analysed based on a cause analysis and new process flow charts for economically efficient work were defined following the Pareto principle.