Modifying rib rail placement for the powered roll gin stand: Results from studies conducted on a retrofitted Lummus gin stand

Authors: Holt, Gregory; LAIRD, J - USDA-ARS RETIRED; WEDEGAERTNER, TOM - COTTON INCORPORATED

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2008
Publication Date: 1/8/2008
Citation: Holt, G.A., Laird, J.W., Wedegaertner, T. 2008. Modifying rib rail placement for the powered roll gin stand: Results from studies conducted on a retrofitted Lummus gin stand. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 8-11, 2008, Nashville, TN. p. 704-716.

Interpretive Summary: The powered roll gin stand (PRGS) is a technology that has shown evidence of improving ginning rate, turnout, and fiber quality. The initial prototype PRGS was developed and refined on a Continental Eagle gin stand. Consequently, when the technology was retrofitted on other makes of gin stands (Lummus or Consolidated), it did not exhibit a consistent performance as desired. In some instances, the technology performed equal to the existing gin stand raising the question, "Why change if there is no clear consistent advantage to the technology?" This caused some to speculate that the technology only works on Continental Eagle gin stands. Investigation as to the differences between the models of gin stands revealed the primary difference was the rib rail angle and location of the ginning point. To see if the rib angle and gin point could be the reason for the gin stand not working as desired on other makes of gin stands, two studies were conducted on a retrofitted Lummus-116 gin stand. Results validated the hypothesis and indicated that the optimal rib rail angle and gin point needed to be reduced by four degrees and increased by half an inch, respectively, from the initial settings on the Lummus-116. Findings showed that the initial concept that the only thing that was needed to implement the PRGS technology on an existing gin stand was to replace the front, was in error. The dynamics of the components of the powered roll technology in regards to the rib rail angle and ginning point location need to be considered when retrofitting any existing gin stand with PRGS technology. Ideally, the technology should be implemented onto new gin stands which are designed specifically to handle the dynamics associated with the powered paddle roll as required for optimum performance.

Technical Abstract: The powered roll gin stand (PRGS) is a technology that has shown evidence of improving ginning rate, turnout, and fiber quality. However, results from the numerous studies comparing the technology against the conventional gin stand has given rise to speculation that the technology is only fitting for a certain make of gin stand, the one that was used to develop the initial prototype (Continental Eagle). Further investigation as to the differences between the models of gin stands that were working and those that had less than desirable results revealed the primary difference was the rib rail angle and location of the ginning point. Two studies were conducted on a retrofitted Lummus-116 gin stand to evaluate the hypothesis that the rib rail angle and ginning point location were the reasons why the PRGS technology was not working as hoped on makes of gin stands other than the initial prototype. Results validated the hypothesis and indicated that the optimal rib rail angle and gin point needed to be reduced by four degrees and increased by half an inch, respectively, from the initial settings on the Lummus-116. Findings demonstrate that the initial concept that all that was needed to implement the PRGS technology on an existing gin stand is just to replace the front, was in error. The dynamics of the components of the powered roll technology in regards to the rib rail angle and ginning point location need to be considered when retrofitting any existing gin stand with PRGS technology.