HVI TRASH IDENTIFICATION IN COTTON

Authors: Foulk, Jonn; McAlister Iii, David

Submitted to: Proceedings of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation Meeting
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/2004
Publication Date: 3/24/2004
Citation: Foulk, J.A., McAlister III, D.D. HVI trash identification in cotton. Proceedings of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation Meeting.2004. ITMF Executive Summary, 1 page. Available from: www.ITMF.org.

Interpretive Summary: COTTON FIBER MEASUREMENTS HAVE PROGRESSED FROM A SUBJECTIVE HUMAN CLASSER TO THE OBJECTIVE HIGH VOLUME INSTRUMENT (HVI). THE HVI PROVIDES A RAPID TRASH MEASUREMENT AT A LOW COST USING A VIDEO CAMERA AT ONE SET OF CONDITIONS. RECENT HVI SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENTS ARE ABLE TO RAPIDLY QUANTIFY COTTON TRASH AND PROVIDE A PARTICLE FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION. THESE TRASH PARTICLES ORIGINATE EITHER FROM THE COTTON PLANT WITH VARIOUS PARTS OF THE LEAF, STEM, BARK, SEED, AND HULL OR FROM THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING GRASS, SAND, DUST AND OTHER CONTAMINATION.

Technical Abstract: COUNTING AND SIZING COTTON TRASH BY HAND WOULD BE A VERY TEDIOUS, TIME-CONSUMING, AND SUBJECTIVE PROCESS. SOFTWARE WRITTEN BY ZELLWEGER USTER FOR USE ON THEIR 900A HIGH VOLUME INSTRUMENT (HVI) APPEARS TO BE A ROBUST IMAGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM ABLE TO RAPDILY LOCATE, COUNT, AND SIZE TRASH PARTICLES OF VARIOUS COLORS, SHAPES, AND SIZES. EVALUATION OF COTTON TRASH TILES APPEARS TO SHOW THE HVI TRASHMETER DOES WELL AT LOCATING AND MEASURING THE MEAN SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION OF COTTON TRASH PARTICLES PLACED ON CONTACT PAPER AND AFFIXED TO PAPER COVER STOCK. RESULTS INDICATE THAT WITH NEW SOFTWARE THE HVI 900A TRASHMETER IS ABLE TO ESTIMATE THE SIZE OF EACH PARTICLE COUNTED CONSEQUENTLY CREATING A TRASH FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION. THIS SOFTWARE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE USDA AMS WITH DESCRIPTIVE TRASH PARTICLE SIZE AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THEIR TRASH UNDER GLASS CHECK SAMPLES.