A yarn twist tester is a crucial tool in the textile industry that measures the twist in a yarn. Yarn twist refers to the spiral arrangement of fibers around the axis of the yarn.
It is a critical parameter as it directly affects the yarn’s appearance, strength, and other mechanical properties. Here are some key aspects related to yarn twist testers. Importance of Yarn Twist:
- Appearance: Yarn twist significantly influences the appearance of the final fabric. Different twists produce different surface textures and patterns.
- Strength and Durability: Proper twist is essential for ensuring the yarn’s strength and durability. Too little or too many twists can compromise these properties.
How Yarn Twist Testers Work:
- Principle:
Yarn twist testers operate on the simple principle of untwisting a known length of yarn and measuring the resultant turns or twists. This can either be done in twists per meter (TPM) or twists per inch (TPI). On first glance this seems like quite an innocuous machine in the sense that all it does is untwist yarn and count the number of turns. However, a deeper dive into the actual system reveals the complexity of this task. A single or two plied yarn is a very light material and the number of twists per meter/inch can vary depending on the amount of weight it is subjected to. Also the untwisting mechanism needs to be carefully mounted so as to get minimal frictional force (ideal scenario would be a frictionless mechanism). All these factors contribute to the actual measurement of the number of twists and that is what makes this machine harder to manufacture and operate.
- Automatic Twist Tester:
Our microcontroller-based Twist Tester has been designed for measuring coefficient of twist in TPM or TPI. The instrument can be used on single, double, plied, woolen, jute or multi-filament yarn. It has the facility of twist and un-twist in both S/Z directions. The Twist Tester has been designed in two models, one with fixed test length and one with adjustable test length. The slider mechanism on the adjustable model provides test length anywhere between 50mm and 500mm. The instrument provides 3 different modes of operation.
- Simple untwist method. In this method the operator specifies the number of twists in the yarn and starts the machine in the specified direction. The machine rotates and stops at that count.
- In case the twists are unknown the operator can use M2 or M3 methods which are twist and untwist and twist, untwist and retwist, respectively. In this case the yarn is first untwisted and then twisted back. When the yarn is untwisted it stretches out and when it is twisted again, it starts to shrink. If the starting and the end position is same, the machine can calculate the number of twists.
- Semi-Automatic Twist Testers: It uses motorized drive to untwist the yarn and at final stage the remaining twists are separated by using “pin separation” method. However, semi automatic twist testers can only be used to in a single mode.
Parameters Measured:
- Twists per Inch (TPI): • TPI is a standard measure indicating the number of twists in a one-inch length of yarn. It’s a fundamental metric in yarn twist testing.
- Twists per Meter (TPM): • Some systems may use the metric equivalent, TPM, particularly in regions that use the metric system.
Conclusion:
In the ever-evolving landscape of textile manufacturing, yarn twist testers emerge as unsung heroes, contributing silently but significantly to the fabric of quality. As technology continues to advance, these precision instruments will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of textile production. Through their accurate measurements and real-time feedback, yarn twist testers weave the threads of excellence, ensuring that each piece of fabric tells a story of quality craftsmanship.