Gin Stand Management

W. Stanley Anthony


 
ABSTRACT

Preservation of fiber quality during the ginning process is dependent upon the management of the gin stands. Seed damage and fiber damage may occur if improper operating parameters are used for the gin stand. Seed damage increases as ginning rate increases and as seed moisture increases. Seed damage in the gin stand appears as slits and cracks in the seed coat parallel to the major axis of the seed.

Staple length reduction or fiber breakage can be controlled at the gin stand. Fiber breakage occurs when tensile forces applied to the fibers exceed their ability to withstand that tension. All fibers are subjected to tensile stress in the gin stand as well as in the lint cleaners. Since cotton fibers are weaker at lower moisture levels than at higher moisture levels, cotton ginned at low moisture levels contains more broken fibers. As seed cotton is dried, the ratio of tensile strength to fiber separation force is reduced and the likelihood of fiber breakage is increased.



Reprinted from 1985 Proceedings: Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences pg. 331
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998