The development of the new Trützschler DK 803 high-performance card represents a new approach in significantly boosting card production whilst maintaining high quality.

The analysis of the functional elements of a high-performance cards demonstrates that improved preopening before the cylinder can positively influence this important carding point in the card to such an extent that the intensive carding necessary for high output is facilitated by high cylinder speeds, finer wires and shorter distance between functional elements without having a negative impact on carding quality. The DK 803 therefore has a preopening unit consisting of three licker-in as well as a new feed system with individual clamping and sensing. Tuft feed is integrated in the card.

Novel auxiliary equipment for achieving high carding quality, such as the contact-free FLATCONTROL FCT flat distance measuring system and the integrated NEPCONTROL NCT on-line nep sensor have been developed to enhance the card's benefit to the user.

Practical results from the use of the new card prove that the DK 803 can be sensibly employed both to improve quality and to raise output.

Efficiency calculations demonstrate that the user has at his disposal a new card which dramatically improves the economic utility of carding.