Air Spinning Machine Yarn Quality Control via Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air-jet spinning machines face issues with contamination and quality deterioration due to deposits on the yarn-forming elements and spinnerets, requiring frequent manual cleaning and inefficient additive application, which affects yarn quality and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a sensor system to monitor physical parameters of the yarn, such as hairiness, mass, and thickness, to quantify and qualify the additive application, allowing for real-time adjustment of additive supply to maintain optimal yarn properties and facilitate automatic cleaning without machine stoppage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual cleaning of the spinneret and yarn-forming element is performed periodically, then the deposits can be removed, but machine stoppage and loss of production time occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn quality consistencyVSAvoidmachine stoppage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic cleaning of the spinneret and yarn-forming element using a cleaning agent supplied through the additive supply device, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and continuous machine stoppage while maintaining yarn quality consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning operation is integrated into the continuous operation of the air-jet spinning machine, allowing the spinneret to be cleaned without stopping production. The additive supply device continuously or periodically delivers cleaning agents to maintain optimal conditions throughout operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If additive is applied to improve yarn properties, then yarn quality improves, but contamination and deposits form on the spinneret and yarn-forming element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn qualityVSAvoiddeposits and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor system monitors physical parameters of the yarn (such as hairiness, mass, thickness) to detect additive application status and yarn quality in real-time, providing feedback to control the additive supply device to optimize the balance between improving yarn properties and minimizing deposits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical or chemical parameters of the additive (concentration, flow rate, application timing) based on monitored yarn properties, adjusting the additive supply to achieve optimal yarn quality while reducing contamination and deposit formation on the spinneret and yarn-forming element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If frequent cleaning operations are performed, then yarn quality is maintained, but production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn quality consistencyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning operation is integrated into the continuous operation of the air-jet spinning machine, allowing the spinneret to be cleaned without stopping production. The additive supply device continuously or periodically delivers cleaning agents to maintain optimal conditions throughout operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic cleaning of the spinneret and yarn-forming element using a cleaning agent supplied through the additive supply device, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and continuous machine stoppage while maintaining yarn quality consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures consistent yarn quality by precisely controlling additive application, reducing manual maintenance, and enhancing production efficiency by preventing substandard yarn production and improving yarn properties like hairiness and strength.

Implementation Method 1

the yarn leaving the outlet of the spinneret is monitored with the aid of a sensor with regard to at least one physical parameter, which is determined on the basis of at least one measured value supplied by the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical parameter detection:

Implementation Method 2

the spinning position is at least temporarily supplied with an additive during operation of the air-jet spinning machine with the aid of an additive supply and onto the fiber structure and/or the yarn or is applied to parts of the spinneret

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdditive application:

Implementation Method 3

the outer fibers of the fiber structure are wound around the inner core fibers with the help of a turbulent air flow generated by the air nozzles inside the turbulence chamber in the area of an inlet opening of the yarn-forming element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent air flow: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2955256B1Air spinning machine and method for operating an air spinning machine
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP2955256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2955256B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2955256B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating an air spinning machine, wherein the air spinning machine has at least one spinning station with a spinneret (2) for producing a yarn (6), wherein a fiber assembly (3) is supplied to the spinneret (2) via an inlet (4) during operation of the spinning station, wherein the fiber assembly (3) is rotated within a vortex chamber (5) of the spinneret (2) by means of a vortex airflow, so that a yarn (6) is formed from the fiber assembly (3), which finally leaves the spinneret (2) via an outlet (7), and wherein an additive (9) is supplied to the spinning station at least temporarily during operation of the air spinning machine by means of an additive supply (8) and is applied to the fiber assembly (3) or to parts of the spinneret and/or the yarn (6).According to the invention, it is proposed that the yarn (6) leaving the outlet (7) is monitored with regard to at least one physical parameter by means of a sensor (11), whereby, based on at least one measured value supplied by the sensor (11) and correlating with the said parameter, it is determined whether and/or how much additive (9) has been applied to the fiber composite (3) or to the yarn (6) produced therefrom and passing through the sensor (11). Furthermore, an air-jet spinning machine is proposed for carrying out the method.