Numerical Simulation of Fiber Motion in the Condensing Zone of Lateral Compact Spinning with Pneumatic Groove

Abstract Lateral compact spinning with pneumatic groove is a spinning process to gather fibers by common actions of airflow and mechanical forces. Compared with ring spinning, it can more effectively reduce yarn hairiness and enhance yarn strength. However, fiber motion in the agglomeration area is complex. And, it is important to establish a new fiber model to accurately describing the fiber motion. The objectives of this research were to create a new fiber model to simulate the agglomeration process, to analyze yarn properties of the lateral compact spinning with pneumatic groove, and to compare with other spinning yarns through a series of tests. The new fiber model was based on the finite element method implemented in MATLAB and was to show the fiber motion during the agglomeration area. The simulation generated results were close to the real motion of fibers in spinning. In the lateral compact spinning with pneumatic groove, fiber bundle through the agglomeration area can be gathered, and the output of the fiber bundle was nearly to cylinder before yarn twisted. The experiments demonstrated that the lateral compact spinning with pneumatic groove can improve the yarn properties: increase the yarn twist, enhance the yarn strength, and reduce the yarn hairiness.