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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336690
Research Project: Enhancing the Quality, Utility, Sustainability and Environmental Impact of Western and Long-Staple Cotton through Improvements in Harvesting, Processing, and Utilization

Location: Cotton Ginning Research

Title: How current ginning processes affect fiber length uniformity index

Author
item Armijo, Carlos
item Whitelock, Derek
item HUGHS, SIDNEY

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2017
Publication Date: 6/1/2017
Citation: Armijo, C.B., Whitelock, D.P., Hughs, S.E. 2017. How current ginning processes affect fiber length uniformity index. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 4-6, 2017, Dallas, TX. Presentation only.

Interpretive Summary: There is a need to develop cotton ginning methods that improve fiber characteristics that are compatible with the newer and more efficient spinning technologies. Air-jet spinning in particular produces high quality yarns at a high production rate and lower cost, but requires cotton with low short fiber content and high length uniformity. A literature search produced recent studies that described how current ginning processes affect HVI fiber length uniformity index. Results from the studies show that uniformity was not affected by machinery that prepares the cotton for ginning, or the saw gin stand itself. Uniformity was affected by the saw-type lint cleaner. Older studies (more than 10 years) have shown that the feed works is the machine part within the saw-type lint cleaner that causes the most damage. The studies in this report confirmed this finding. Roller ginning preserved uniformity better than saw ginning. Roller gin lint cleaning reduced uniformity, but to a lesser degree than saw-type lint cleaning. Providing the textile industry with a longer and more uniform fiber to manufacture yarns more efficiently would expand market share and increase the demand for cotton products, and give U.S. cotton a competitive edge to synthetic fibers.

Technical Abstract: There is a need to develop cotton ginning methods that improve fiber characteristics that are compatible with the newer and more efficient spinning technologies. A literature search produced recent studies that described how current ginning processes affect HVI fiber length uniformity index. Results from the studies show that uniformity was not affected by seed cotton cleaning machinery (cylinder cleaners and stick machines) or the saw gin stand. Uniformity was affected by the saw-type lint cleaner. Older studies (more than 10 years) have shown that the feed works is the machine part within the saw-type lint cleaner that causes the most damage. The studies in this report confirmed this finding. Although uniformity was not affected by the lint cleaner grid bars, faster saw speeds did reduce uniformity. Roller ginning preserved uniformity better than saw ginning. Roller gin lint cleaning reduced uniformity, but to a lesser degree than saw-type lint cleaning.