A spinning mill is less a production plant than a largescale transport organization. Certainly, this assertion is somewhat exaggerated – but it contains an element of truth. When the quantities of material and the distances over which they have to be moved are considered, the comparison becomes obvious. Storage and transport of material are substantial cost factors in the spinning mill. Furthermore, they often exert a quality-reducing influence. Transportability always requires a taking-off operation at the preceding machine, and a feeding-in operation at the subsequent machine. These operations are frequently not carried out precisely in practice.
Furthermore, the necessity for winding up is a handicap to performance in many machines. Thus, for example, the ring spinning machine is scarcely capable of much further development simply because of the winding of cops (by travelers).
Material handling and transport are therefore significant problems in a spinning plant – problems that the machine designer and mill personnel must always take into account. In this complex problem, it is always necessary to find the new optimum and to seek the most appropriate means.
In relation to material carriers, it is important that they:
- take up as much material as possible;
- can be filled or wound in an uncomplicated manner;
- permit simple removal of material;
- protect the material;
- facilitate transport (in full or empty condition);
- take up little room;
- are economical to procure;
- and are well designed ergonomically.