USTER AFIS PRO

The fiber process control system

USTER AFIS
Sensor

Fiber Individualizer
FEED
ROLL

AIR IN

CARDING FLAT

Manual feed
system

Test samples

AIR IN
FEED PLATE
PINNED
PERFORATED
CYLINDER

TRASH OUT

PINNED
CYLINDER

CARDING
FLAT

The unique measuring

system of the USTER AFIS PRO

The USTER AFIS Fiber

The USTER AFIS PRO's manual

Any material in the form of bale,

guarantees that each fiber, nep

Individualizer ensures single fiber

feed system is adequate for

mat, sliver or roving can be

and trash particle is individually

measurement by opening the test

everyday operation in medium-

tested on the USTER AFIS PRO

counted.

material with minimal impact.

sized spinning mills.

repeatedly and reliably.

USTER AFIS PRO

USTER AFIS PRO
the standard tool for process control

How can you be sure that your cards will perform according to your specifications? How can
you maintain steady-state processing conditions?
Only regular process control will give you peace
of mind. The USTER AFIS PRO provides you with
the essential data necessary for modern
process control techniques in the spinning
mill. Basic measurements of the NC Module
include the amount of cotton fiber and seed coat
neps. The optional L&M Module measures fiber length and
short fiber content, plus cotton maturity and immature fiber content. The optional Trash Module measures the trash and dust content in cotton. Any material in the form of bale, mat, sliver or roving can be tested on the USTER AFIS PRO, repeatedly and reliably. Blends can be tested up to a ratio of 50% cotton:50% synthetic.

Patented and proven

measuring technology

The unique measuring system of the USTER AFIS PRO counts every
fiber, nep and trash particle one by one. The Fiber Individualizer
ensures single fiber measurement, with gentle opening of the test
material. This patented and proven design provides data of unmatched accuracy and precision, the essential basis for sound
process control decisions. The USTER AFIS Sensor also uses
patented technology, ensuring true single fiber, nep and trash particle counts so that you get the detailed information you need to
set your production machinery accurately.

Detecting fiber imperfections.

NC Module Nep Classification
Detects processing problems
before they escalate
Fiber neps are fiber entanglements of more than one fiber. They are
created in ginning, and in the opening and cleaning process in the
spinning mill. They can be eliminated in carding and combing. But
that depends on the general condition of the production machinery
and its settings.
A high nep content in raw cotton will inevitably lead to a high nep
content in yarn and fabric, and thus to second quality production.
Such quality problems can only be prevented by regular monitoring
of all intermediate spinning processes with the USTER AFIS PRO.
The USTER AFIS nep measuring method is the only method officially recognized by ASTM and ITMF.

L&M Module Length and Maturity

Avoiding outlier production
The USTER AFIS PRO allows the cotton spinner to detect processing problems before it is too late before they end up as yarn
faults. Thick places in sliver result from a high accumulation of
short fibers that tend to stick together in the drafting process. They
are difficult to eliminate and cause a higher number of thick and
thin places in the yarn, reducing the overall yarn quality.
In the past, regular control of short fiber content in the various
process stages was impossible due to the limited manual measuring methods available at that time. These were very timeconsuming, and simply not practical for routine operation. Today,
the USTER AFIS short fiber content is used simultaneously with the
USTER AFIS nep content to evaluate carding and combing efficiencies in the spinning mill.

Summary report

Control chart

Detailed and comprehensive test

Immature fibers

Fabric Barr

Not all cotton fibers are the same.

By using the USTER AFIS to control

results give cotton spinners all the

Product maintenance schedules

Many fibers are immature, flat

immature fiber content in the cot-

information they need to set their

are established on the basis of

and brittle, with no cellulose at all

ton, fabric barr in the finished

production machines.

USTER AFIS PRO quality data.

inside the cell walls.

(dyed) fabric can be prevented.

Before they become yarn imperfections.

NC Module Nep Classification
Managing seed coat neps in processing

The NC Module distinguishes between fiber and seed coat neps.

Seed coat neps are broken parts of the cotton seed with fibers still
attached. They are created in ginning, but some cotton varieties
tend to create more seed coat neps than others. They are very difficult to clean and are believed to create stickiness in the spinning
process.
Seed coat neps are easily visible as black spots on the plain fabric surface. To dye the fabric evenly, it has to be bleached prior
to the dyeing process an additional and costly process in fabric
finishing.

T Module Trash
Managing trash and dust levels
in processing
Different cottons contain different types and amounts of contamination. Larger trash can be removed more easily than small-sized
dust particles, which stick to the cotton fiber material. The Trash
Module measures dust and trash particles per gram, in accordance with ITMF recommendations.
Dust is not considered in current cotton classing systems. Yet, increased cotton dust levels result in higher abrasion in all stages of
spinning. In addition, a high dust content in finisher sliver can also
cause a Moir effect in open-end spinning, and increased endsdown levels in further processing.

Nep distribution
Card mat

Nep distribution
Card sliver

USTER AFIS Histogram Reports

USTER STATISTICS

USTER QualiProfileTM

Benchmarking information is

show the distribution of each fiber

While most smaller neps are

available for raw cotton and

property compared to its size group,

removed, some larger neps

processed material, and can be

QualiProfileTM is easier and more ef-

visualizing the impact of a process

remain after carding poten-

included for comparison in the

ficient than the time-consuming and

on the fiber material.

tially causing yarn faults.

USTER QualiProfileTM.

error-prone manual method.

Evaluating data with the USTER

The fiber process control system.

USTER AUTOJET
operating automation improves
testing efficiency
Today's trend toward streamlining laboratory operations calls for
higher degrees of automation in testing. The USTER AUTOJET lets
you test 30 samples simultaneously. After loading the USTER
AUTOJET cassette, the operator can attend to other duties in the laboratory. The USTER AUTOJET will run the samples automatically.
With the USTER AFIS PRO operating software the USTER AUTOJET
test configuration can be fully customized. The USTER AUTOJET
is an optional module especially designed for users who have high
throughput or stringent labor requirements, or who simply want to
improve their laboratory's testing efficiencies.

USTER STATISTICS
for complete process benchmarking

The USTER AFIS PRO is the only fiber testing instrument that allows the entire spinning process to be analyzed from bale to roving. USTER STATISTICS is the only benchmarking tool available
that allows USTER AFIS users to compare their process results with
worldwide levels in spinning performance. USTER STATISTICS
using USTER AFIS test results are available for the carded and
combed ring spinning process and the carded open-end spinning
process. They are based on extensive data accumulation over the
past 15 years, since the USTER AFIS was introduced in the cotton industry. The USTER STATISTICS for process benchmarking
are automatically included in the USTER QualiProfileTM report software of the USTER AFIS PRO.
A. Bale B. Cardmat C. Card Sliver E. Comber Sliver F. Finisher Sliver G. Roving

win4-u

The standard from fiber to fabric.

USTER is the worlds leading
supplier of total quality solutions from fiber to fabric.
USTER standards and precise
measurement provide unparalleled advantages for producing best quality at minimum
cost.

Uster, Switzerland

Shanghai, China

Knoxville, USA

Think quality, think USTER

Charlotte, USA

and move beyond quality

Coimbatore, India

Bangkok, Thailand

management.

So Paulo, Brazil

 Regional Service Centers

Sales Agents and
Local Service Stations

Uster Technologies AG
Wilstrasse 11
CH-8610 Uster / Switzerland
Phone
Fax

+41 1 943 38 88
+41 1 943 38 38

www.uster.com
sales@uster.com

240 841-02020 / 05.04 / Copyright 2004 Uster Technologies AG

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