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Abstract:
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Reduction in cost of manufacturing is a necessity in an aggressively competitive
marketplace for business success. Three important factors, among others, that constitute
weaving cost are energy consumption, weaving stop level, and fabric quality. Air jet
weaving machines have gained wide acceptance because of higher productivity and wider
versatility for weaving filament and spun yams. However, energy costs for air jet
weaving are about 60% greater than for any other method of weft insertion.
Currently, the profile reed design is the predominantly used reed type for air jet
weaving. Because of this acceptance, minimal research has been conducted to determine
the effect of reed design on weaving cost. However, reed manufacturers have developed a
semipro file reed to reduce total weaving cost. A semipro file reed was designed to
improve fabric quality, to reduce weaving stops, and to extend reed cleaning cycles.
The major purpose of this research was to compare the performances of
semipro file and profile reed types. This research was divided into two experiments. Trial
1 consisted of the effect of reed design, filament yam type, and filament count on energy
consumption and fabric quality. Trial 2 was a stop level comparison between a
semipro file and a profile reed type. The results of this research indicated that a
semipro file reed can operate at a lower airflow, which will reduce energy consumption
and energy cost. Fabrics woven with a semiprofile reed had improved fabric abrasion
resistance and, when using a 34-filament yam, had lower air permeability.
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