Rieter

The disposition of the hooks

Index

As previously mentioned, fibers must be presented to the comber so that leading  hooks predominate in the feedstock. This influences not only the opening out of the hooks themselves, but also the cleanliness of the web. If the batt is fed in the wrong direction, the number of neps rises markedly. It also increases the soiling and loading of  top combs and  circular combs, and finally the neppiness.

Both quantity and form of fiber hooks depend mainly upon the stiffness of the fibers; the latter rises to the second or third power with increasing coarseness of the fibers ( Micronaire value). The hooks also display different forms; fine, long fibers will always exhibit more and longer hooks (horseshoe shape) than short, coarse fibers (hockey-stick shape). The role of fiber hooks in the spinning process therefore becomes more significant as fibers become finer. When short fibers are being spun, fiber hooks are of secondary importance.