ABSTRACT

A numerical computer model of the ring spinning process predicted balloon shapes for various normal, expanded, and collapsed yarn balloons. Cotton yarn was spun on a standard ring spinning frame under typical conditions, except that the pig-tail guide motion was adjusted to keep the balloon height constant. No balloon control rings or position separators were used. The balloons were photographed and their sizes were determined from a reference grid placed behind the spinning position. Film photography and high-speed video were investigated as imaging processes for recording and analyzing the yarn trajectories. Film photography was selected as the more effective process. Yarn balloon shapes were measured as a function of package diameter at the winding point. The experimental balloon shapes were compared to the theoretical balloon shapes calculated from the model. Feedback from experimental results is being used to confirm and refine the model. Application of the model promises improvements in both the production rate and quality of ring spinning.