African Journal of Engineering Research

Vol. 3(2), pp. 37-43, July 2015

ISSN: 2354-2144
Full Length Research Paper

A study on the quality of sliver and noil using backward

and forward feeding system of combing machine
M. Kalyana Kumar*, J. Redwan and Ermiyas Misgana
Department of Textile Engineering, Kombolcha Institute of Technology, Wollo University, Ethiopia.
Accepted 21 July, 2015

ABSTRACT

Combing is the key processes for the quality improvement of spinning cotton fiber by extracting short fibres
less than half an inch in length. The type of feeding system with varying machine setting has effect on the
quality and the production rate of comber. This paper deals with the study of transfer of good fibres into the
noil and transfers of short fibres into the sliver. For these studies, medium staple cotton variety of Shankar 6
has been taken and processed with both feeding systems of comber by varying the settings of fed length,
top comb and detaching roller. The quality distribution of feed lap, noil and combed sliver has been
evaluated under Advanced Fibre Information System (AFIS). Better fibre control was observed with
backward feeding as compared to forward feeding. The transfer of longest fibre into the noil is observed less
by 12.5% and the length of shortest fibre into the comber sliver is also less observed by 4.7% by keeping
constant top comb index with varying feed length and detaching distance of both feeding system when
compare to other variables.

Keywords: Comber, backward feed, forward feed sliver, noil, AFIS.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

INTRODUCTION

The combing process is carried out in order to improve extent of waste extraction. Waste from combing generally
the quality of the sliver coming out of the card. The varies from 12 to 25%. Higher noil % always improves
process eliminates short fibres and remnant fragments of the imperfections in the final yarn. But the strength and
impurities present in the card or drawn sliver to give clean other quality parameters improve up to certain noil %,
sliver, having more of a rectangular staple diagram, with further increase in noil results in quality deterioration. To
the vast majority of the constituent fibres in a optimize the quality performance for a given production
straightened and parallel state. Combing therefore, make rate and the waste level the type of feeding in the
possible the spinning of yarns of fine count with low combing processes is most important factor. In actual
irregularities and a cleaner appearance (Lawrence, practice, the amount of noil% to be extracted at comber is
2003). Carded slivers are combined into comber lap in a decided on the basis of end use of the yarn and the
single continuous process stage; further flat sheet of fiber marketable value (Rikipedia).
which was obtained from comber lap is fed into the In general, there are two types of feed are followed in
comber in an intermediate process (Figure 1). The the spinning industries:
wastage which is removed from the comber machine 1. Backward feed: The material is fed during the return of
during processing is known as comber noil. Mainly it the nippers. The operational sequence is:
consists of short fibers and neps. The type of feed is
decided on the basis of amount of noil% and then the Combing Detachment Feed Combing
feed/nip is selected as it affects the productivity
(Subramanian and Gobi, 2004). The performance of a
comber is influenced by both the production rate and the 2. Forward feed: The material is fed whilst the nipper is
 Afr J Eng Res 38

Figure 1. Intermediate process of combing action (Rikipedia). Figure 2. Position of the nippers relative to the detaching rollers at
the closest approach (Detachment setting E) during backward feed
(Rikipedia).

rocking towards the detaching roller. The operational

sequence is:

Combing Feed Detachment Combing

Noil elimination with backward feed

During the detaching stage the nippers are located at

their closest spacing relative to the detaching rollers
(Figure 2), which draw off all fibers extending to the nip
line, that is, all fibers longer than E. This length E can be
entered in the staple diagram (Figure 3) as a line m-n. All
fibers to the left of the line m-n pass into the combed
sliver (hatched area AmnC).
The nippers retract towards the comb, the feed roller
shifts the fiber fringe (initially with length E) forward
through feed amount S. The fringe projecting from the
nippers is now presented to the circular combs with Figure 3. Combing out with backward feed.
length E + S (Figure 4). All fibers shorter than E + S are
carried away by the circular combs because they are not
clamped. They pass into the noil. In the staple diagram
(Figure 3), this length can be entered as line q-r. In this
stage all fibers to the right of the line q-r are combed out
into the noil (area qBr). In the region qmnr, it is therefore (1)
a matter of chance whether the fibers remain in the fringe
or pass into the noil. Accordingly, a division can be made Noil extraction with forward feed
based on the mean fiber length represented within this
area, and it can be assumed that the trapezium AopC After the detaching stage has been completed, all fibers
represents fibers transferred to the combed sliver and the longer than E have been carried away with the web.
triangle oBp represents those passing into the noil. The Since there is no feed step during the return stroke of the
dividing line between these areas has length E + S/2. nippers, the fringe is presented to the circular combs with
Since in similar triangles the areas are in the same ratio length E. During the following combing cycle all fibers
as the squares of the sides, and since the noil shorter than E pass into the noil; this is represented in the
percentage is based on the ratio of weight of waste to staple diagram (Figure 5) by the area qBr. Feed occurs
weight of feedstock, the following relationship can be during the subsequent forward stroke of the nippers,
assumed (Rikipedia- Retier): during which the fringe is increased in length by the
 Kumar et al. 39

Figure 4. Combing out the fiber fringe (Rikipedia).

Figure 6. Position of the nippers relative to the detaching rollers

at the closest approach during forward feed (Rikipedia).

Gupte and Patel (1986) reported that the % short fibre

removal and % improvement in mean length are higher
with forward feed as compared to that with backward
feed at any level of noil. The increase in feed/nip
increases the amount of fibre handled by the combing
mechanisms and this reduces the combing efficiency and
higher short fibre% (Subramanian and Gobi, 2004). For
fibre of a particular length, whether it would go into noil or
retain itself in the combed sliver is dependent on the
modes of feed (Chattopadhyay, 2002).
Figure 5. Combing out with forward feed (Rikipedia).
In processing of forward feed the noil reduces, but in a
backward feed it increases with the increased length of
feed length per nip (Majumdar, 2012). Usually, a forward
feed is selected for high production rates when quality
distance S. At the next stage, that of detaching, the demand is moderate, with the noil percentage kept
detaching rollers take at least all fibers longer than E between 5 and 14%. However, when a higher quality is
(Figure 6) into the combed web. necessary, a backward feed must be used, with a noil
However, as feeding occurs at this stage, fibers b of the percentage in the range 14 to 25% (Klein, 1987). The
original length (E - S), that is, shorter than E by the feed cleanliness of the combed sliver is also dependent on the
amount, are now moved forward to the nip line by feed feed mode. Steady improvement in yarn quality can be
through distance S. That is why fibers longer than (E - S) achieved with an increase in comber waste to a point
are now carried away into the combed web, and where most fibres below 15 mm length are removed
trapezium AmnC represents these fibers. (Garde and Subramanian, 1978). The backward feed
In this case also, the figure qmnr can be divided always produces better sliver cleanliness than the
according to the mean fiber length by the line op (E - forward feed (Klein, 1987). This can be ascribed to the
S/2), and thus the following relationship can be derived increased combing of fibre before they seized by the
as: detaching roller. Essential features in which the two feeds
difference with respect to the quality of the combing sliver
are not discussed yet by varying machine settings. The
present paper reveals the type of comber feed and the
(2) critical influence on noil and sliver quality are indicated.
 Afr J Eng Res 40

Table 1. Details of process parameter used in combing machine.

Particulars Backward feed Forward feed

Trail no.1 (Feed length constant and other varied)
Noil 16% 16%
Feed length 5.5 5.5
Top comb index -0.5 +0.5
Detaching distance 8.0 8.5

Trail no. 2 (Top comb index constant and other varied)

Noil 16% 16%
Feed length 5.0 5.5
Top comb index +0.5 +0.5
Detaching distance 8.0 8.5

Trail no. 3 (Detaching distance constant and other varied)

Noil 16% 16%
Feed length 5.5 5.0
Top comb index +0.5 +0.5
Detaching distance 8.0 8.0

MATERIALS AND METHODS feeding. The average from both the fed of each trail the
longer fibre above 12.7 mm were less transferred as
The combing processes have been undertaken in the 12.5% when keeping top comb index constant with
spinning mill at M/s. Maa garment, Mekelle, Ethiopia. varying feed length and detaching distances (Figure 7b).
Medium staple cotton variety of Shankar 6 was used to The higher amount of 15.7% of good fibre were passed
conduct this study under different machine setting into the noil when keeping the feed length distance
inReiter E65. Three different trails (Table 1) have been constant and varied setting with top comb index and
taken to find the significance difference of the quality detaching roller distances (Figure 7c).
parameter of sliver and noil. The removal of noil With backward feed, top comb penetrates into the fibre
percentage was set at 16% and the quality attributes of fringe which is already combed by the comber needle,
the noil and sliver were evaluated by Advanced Fibre therefore combing action done by top comb will be better.
Information System (AFIS PRO2). The data obtained Hence the efficiency of removal of short fibre is good.
from the trails were compared and the relationship During the nipper movement towards the detaching roller
among the two feed were studied based on the length after the combing process, the distance of the nipper at
distribution of fibres (shortest fibre length in the sliver and the foremost position to the detaching roller is less
the longest fibre length in the noil). therefore losses of long fibres in the waste during
detaching will be less as observed. Whereas in forward
feed the detaching distance is more and also the fed of
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION lap is taking place while the nipper rocking forward during
the detachment at this place the control of fibre exits the
The quality attributes of lap, sliver and noil from different point of hold during detachment results loss of long fibre
level of trails obtained from the combermachine are in the noil.
shown in Table 2.

Length of shortest fibre in the comber sliver

Length of longest fibre in the noil
The weight of fibres decides the hank of sliver to
The longest fibre in the noil is estimated from the length produce. In general, the higher weight of fibres will
distribution charts (Figure 7a). The value of upper quartile always biased to the longest fibres and the same time the
length has been taken for the discussions, because the shortest fibres will have less in weight percentages. In
values are always nearest to the 2.5% span length of order to estimate the shortest fibre in the sliver, the value
fibre.The fibre length of upper quartile length in all the of short fibre content by weight has been taken through
three trails exceeded 12.7 mm length. From each trails, it the length distribution chart (Figure 8a). In all the trials,
is observed that, in backward feeding the amount of good the SFC (W) of sliver is less observed in backward feed
fibre loss in noil is less when compared to the forward than forward feed. SFC (W) is almost less than 6% were
 Kumar et al. 41

Table 2. Quality attributes of comber lap, noil and sliver.

Details L(w) (mm) UQL(w) (mm) SFC(w) <12.7 (mm) L(n) (mm) SFC(n) <12.7 (mm) 5% L (n) (mm)
Trail No. 1
Backward Feed -Lap 24.8 31.1 8.3 18.9 23.5 35.5
Backward Feed -Noil 11.7 14.4 61.9 8.6 80.3 18.3
Backward Feed -Sliver 25.2 31.4 4.3 20.3 11.4 35.9
Forward Feed -Lap 25.2 31.1 8.3 18.8 22.8 35.3
Forward Feed -Noil 11.5 14.3 64.3 8.1 83.0 18.0
Forward Feed -Sliver 25.6 31.3 5.5 19.9 14.1 35.7

Trail No. 2
Backward Feed -Lap 25.3 31.0 8.2 19.1 23.8 35.2
Backward Feed -Noil 11.5 14.1 60.1 8.7 80.1 18.4
Backward Feed -Sliver 25.8 31.2 4.1 20.5 11.7 35.8
Forward Feed -Lap 24.4 29.8 8.1 18.5 22.5 34.3
Forward Feed -Noil 11.3 14.5 64.3 7.9 82.0 18.2
Forward Feed -Sliver 24.8 31.1 5.2 19.3 14.8 34.6

Trail No. 3
Backward Feed -Lap 25.2 31.1 8.0 18.7 23.2 35.3
Backward Feed -Noil 12.5 13.9 63.2 8.5 82.2 18.1
Backward Feed -Sliver 25.5 31.3 4.6 20.1 11.5 35.7
Forward Feed -Lap 24.8 31.1 8.5 18.1 22.2 34.6
Forward Feed -Noil 10.9 15.5 63.3 8.2 81.6 17.8
Forward Feed -Sliver 25.0 29.1 5.5 19.0 13.2 34.8

5 % L (n) mm

UQL (W)mm

L (w) mm

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure 7a. Noil length distribution of trail no. 1.

observed in both the fed. SFC (W) were noticed in the combed sliver when the
Taking average value of both fed in each trails, it was detaching roller distance is kept constant and varying
noticed that 4.7% of short fibre content by weight present with top comb index and feed length distance (Figure 8c).
in combed sliver when keeping the top comb index Backward feed will always have tends to control the
constant and varying feed length distance and detaching fibres within the action of detaching distance and
roller distances (Figure 8b). The highest value of 5.5% penetration of top comb index. All the short fibres have
 Afr J Eng Res 42

5 % L (n) mm

UQL (W)mm

L (w) mm

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure7b. Noil length distribution of trail no. 2.

5 % L (n) mm

UQL (W)mm

L (w) mm

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure 7c. Fibre length distributions of trail no. 3.

SFC(n)

SFC(w)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure 8a. SFC length distribution of sliver - Trail no. 1.
 Kumar et al. 43

SFC(n)

SFC(w)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure 8b. SFC length distribution of sliver - Trail no. 2.

SFC(n)

SFC(w)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Forward Feed Backward Feed

Figure 8c. SFC length distribution of sliver - Trail no. 3.

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observed very less by 12.5%. When detaching distance Citation: Kumar MK, Redwan J, Misgana E, 2015. A study on the
was kept constant with varying feed length and top comb quality of sliver and noil using backward and forward feeding
index in both the feeding type, the quality of combed system of combing machine. Afr J Eng Res, 3(2): 37-43.
sliver is highly affected.