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Abstract:
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The ultimate goal of the opening room is to produce the intermediate fiber
assemblies that can be further processed into yarns of superior quality with all
manufacturing processes performing at maximum potential efficiencies. This task is
accomplished in the opening room by pulling fiber tufts from the bale, opening and
cleaning the tufts, and mixing the fibers together.
Blend factor can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the mixers in the opening
line. Blend factor is the theory of assigning numbers, called mixing power, to different
machines to recognize mixing capability. Blend factor numbers for cell mixers in an
opening room are based on the number of cells in the machine. However, blend factors
that are assigned to other mixing machinery are based on assumptions of how well the
machine will mix fiber. This means there is no science as yet involved in the assignment
of blend factor to these machines.
Further study into blend factor and its relationship to reducing micronaire
variability within the fiber mix was necessary to better understand the scientific
relationship between known blend factor and the reduction of micronaire variability
within the fiber mix. This research determined the degree to which micronaire variability
within the fiber mix is reduced by selected mixing machinery in the opening room. It was
discovered that generally the majority of the variability was removed with the use of a
topfeeder and only one additional mixing machine. This research discovered that cell
mixers were capable of much higher levels of micronaire variability reduction than
originally estimated.
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