Test procedures

Start page

Contents

Test procedures...................................................................................... 4-1

4.1

Material ..........................................................................................................................................4-1

4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.5

Sampling at Different Process Stages in the Spinning Mill ...........................................................4-1

Opening & Cleaning ......................................................................................................................4-2
Carding ..........................................................................................................................................4-3
Combing ........................................................................................................................................4-4
Finisher Drawing............................................................................................................................4-4
Roving............................................................................................................................................4-4

4.3

Frequency of Testing.....................................................................................................................4-5

4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.4.3
4.4.4

Factors Influencing Test Results ...................................................................................................4-5

Relative Humidity and Temperature..............................................................................................4-5
Operator and Sampling Procedures..............................................................................................4-6
Instrument Maintenance ................................................................................................................4-7
Natural Variation within Cotton ......................................................................................................4-7

4.5

Summary .....................................................................................................................................4-14

4.6

References ..................................................................................................................................4-14

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

Test procedures

In order to receive meaningful results, it is important to know proper sampling techniques that are
recommended for the USTER AFIS PRO. This includes what samples can be tested, where and how
to take them and how often. It is also important to understand factors that influence test results and
what variations in test results can be expected.

4.1

Material

The USTER AFIS PRO has been designed for the cotton spinning industry. This means it is able to
test 100% cotton fibers in all stages of the short staple spinning process, from bale to roving.
The instrument has not been designed to test 100% synthetic fibers. We have observed difficulties in
opening and separating fibers especially in the synthetic bale material and card mat. The opening
behavior of synthetic sliver is easier due to the better fiber alignment in the sliver compared to raw
bale material. However, we have also observed data results for the same synthetic sliver on very
different levels, especially in nep counts. This may be caused by the different optical properties of
synthetic fibers compared to cotton. Therefore, we recommend interpreting synthetic sliver test results
very carefully. They cannot be compared between instruments. Uster Technologies does not
guarantee test results on 100% synthetic sliver.
Cotton blends in sliver can be tested without any problem. The limit here is up to a 50% / 50% blend.
However, we have observed that results can be somewhat biased if, for example, PES micro fibers
are used in such a blend. Micro fibers with a denier value below 1.0 (1.1 dtex) will result in a much
higher amount of synthetic fibers in the same blend than regular PES fibers with a denier of 1.2 1.5
(1.3 1.6 dtex). Thus, the results may be biased towards the synthetic fibers rather than cotton.
Blends in raw material are not recommended for testing on the USTER AFIS PRO.
Raw Material

Card Mat

Card, Draw Frame,

Comber Sliver

Roving

100% Cotton

YES

YES

YES

YES

100% Synthetics & Rayon

NO

NO

RESTRICTED*

RESTRICTED*

Up to 50/50% CO/ PES Blends

NO

NO

YES

YES

Table 4-1

USTER AFIS PRO Material Application Range

*RESTRICTED = for internal use only; results not guaranteed

4.2

Sampling at Different Process Stages in the Spinning Mill

In order to utilize the USTER AFIS PRO for process control, samples need to be taken at different
processing stages in the spinning mill. It is also necessary to test the incoming and the out coming
material of a process that is evaluated. For example, for the carding process, samples need to be
taken and tested from card mat and card sliver.
The USTER AFIS PRO is not designed to replace the USTER HVI SPECTRUM for testing of raw
material for bale management purposes. The measurement speed on the USTER AFIS PRO does
not enable 100% bale testing. However, it is useful to randomly check your incoming raw cotton for
nep, seed coat nep and excessive trash content.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-1

Test procedures

Please, refer to chapter 5 and 6 of this manual, where basic and advanced applications are
described. The following table summarizes what materials should be evaluated on the USTER AFIS
PRO at what process stage:
Process Stage

Material

Opening & Cleaning

Opened cotton in different stages of cleaning

Carding

Card Mat & Card Sliver

Combing

Comber Lap & Comber Sliver

Finisher Drawing

Draw Frame Sliver

[Roving]

[Roving]

Table 4-2

Materials at Different Process Stages

Most spinning mills today use the USTER AFIS PRO to control the opening and cleaning line, the
cards and combers in their plants on a regular basis. Draw frame slivers are tested less regularly, and
roving only in cases where a change in the machine settings requires it. However, there is generally
no direct influence on the fiber material possible after combing in the spinning process. For regular
quality control purposes, it is sufficient to test material until comber sliver, only.

4.2.1

Opening & Cleaning

Dos

Donts

Collect samples at each critical cleaning point

Do not collect samples inside the cleaning machine

Collect samples in the ductwork

Do not collect samples from the bottom of the machine

Collect samples at regular flow rates

Do not test waste material on USTER AFIS PRO

Follow machine manufacturers recommendations

Table 4-3

Sampling Dos and Donts in Opening and Cleaning

Samples of the opening and cleaning line should be collected in the ductwork leaving each critical
piece of cleaning equipment. Samples should be taken while the throughput is at a normal flow rate.
For safety reasons, machine manufacturers recommendations have to be followed for sample
collection.
Samples should not be collected from inside or at the bottom of a machine, where excessive trash
and foreign matter is accumulated. This can alter the test results, since the sample does not represent
the regular cotton after cleaning. The USTER AFIS PRO has not been designed to test waste
material. Excessive waste content can clog up and damage the instrument. Therefore, we advise not
testing waste material on the USTER AFIS PRO instrument.

4-2

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

4.2.2

Carding

Sample
Type

Dos

Donts

Card Mat

Collect samples either after the chute feed or after the

picker for lap fed cards

Do not mix samples that are fed to

different card lines

Samples taken after the last reserve condenser are

sufficient as a average for regular card lines of 8-10
cards

Do not change your sampling

technique once it is established (be
consistent)

If you have a larger amount of cards per line, test card

mat after the chute feed in the beginning, in the middle
and at the end of the entire card line. Average the
results.
If you want to have 100% control, test the chute feed
material in front of every card.
Table 4-4

Sampling Dos and Donts in Carding, Card Mat

Card mat samples should be collected after the chute feed or after the picker on lap fed cards.
Samples for chute fed systems can also be taken from the last reserve condenser feeding the card
line. The variation in card mat in a normal card line of 8 10 cards is small enough that the sample
taken from the last reserve can be used as an average test result for the entire card line. However, if
there are more cards in a line, it is advisable to take samples after the chute feed from the beginning,
the middle and the end of the card line. The test results should then be averaged for further analysis
(comparison to card sliver results). Some mills prefer to have 100% control at each card. Then, it is
necessary to test the card mat after the chute feed in front of every card.
It is important not to mix card mat samples that go to different card lines. Once a sampling technique
has been established within a plant, it should not be changed for reasons of consistency.
Sample
Type

Dos

Donts

Card Sliver

It is preferable to collect samples while the card is

operating at full speed

Card sliver samples should not be

collected when the card slows for doffing
and can changing

High-speed cards allow for samples taken from

the top of the can

Do not damage sliver when taking it from

the card or can

Take a sliver sample by gently pulling it apart at a

distance of app. 2 inches or 5 cm

Do not change your sampling technique

once it is established (be consistent)

Table 4-5

Sampling Dos and Donts in Carding, Card Sliver

Card sliver samples should be taken from the sliver can while the card is operating at full speed. Card
sliver samples should not be collected when the card slows for doffing and can changing. However,
most high-speed cards do not slow down for the doffing process anymore. Thus, it is sufficient to take
samples from the top of the can. Also, the sliver should not be damaged when taking the sample. It
should be pulled apart gently by holding your hands approx. 2 inches (approx. 5 cm) apart. Again,
once a certain sampling technique is established, it should not be changed.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-3

Test procedures

Every operator needs to be trained taking samples the same way every time. This ensures
consistency in laboratory procedures and test results.

4.2.3

Combing

Sample
Type

Dos

Donts

Comber
Lap

Follow machine manufacturers recommendations

Do not change your sampling technique

once it is established (be consistent)

Comber
Sliver

Follow the same procedures as for card sliver

Table 4-6

Sampling Dos and Donts in Combing, Comber Lap and Sliver

For taking samples in combing preparation, it is best to follow machine manufacturers

recommendations, as there are a variety of machine configurations available. For comber sliver, the
same techniques should be applied as for taking card sliver samples (see Table 4-5). As mentioned
several times before, once sampling procedures are established in a plant they should not be
changed for in order to maintain consistency.

4.2.4

Finisher Drawing

Draw frame samples should be collected from sliver the same way as card sliver mentioned above
(see Table 4-5).

4.2.5

Roving

Roving of flyer samples should be taken randomly from finished bobbins or packages before going to
the ring spinning frame. Care should be taken to remove any twist in the roving before testing the
sample on USTER AFIS PRO.

4-4

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

4.3

Frequency of Testing

After establishing general procedures for obtaining the samples, it is necessary to do so on a regular
basis. The following table shows our recommendations for the frequency of USTER AFIS PRO
testing:
Process Stage

Frequency

Min. Repetitions

Opening & Cleaning

1/month

Five (5)

Carding

1/week

Five (5)

Combing

1/week

Five (5)

[Finisher Drawing]

[1/month]

Five (5)

[Roving]

[1/month]

Five (5)

Table 4-7

Sampling Frequency

Usually, a spinning mill new to USTER AFIS PRO data will be testing more samples and more
repetitions per sample than listed in Table 4-7 above. This is necessary in order to establish a
spinning mills benchmark data. For example, the critical nep count in card sliver may be 90 neps/
gram for an OE yarn count Ne 20, 100%, cotton carded. However, the critical nep count in card sliver
for a ring yarn count Ne 50, 100% cotton, combed, may be 50 neps/ gram. In addition, production
rates, card maintenance levels and the raw material itself may restrict achieving certain nep levels in
sliver.
Thus, the spinning mill has to analyze much more USTER AFIS PRO data in the beginning until it
has established benchmark levels for its operation. However, once established, the mill has the
advantage of knowing its process quality level, which is necessary for basic process control.

4.4

Factors Influencing Test Results

There are several factors that can influence test results, which will be described in more detail below:
1.

Ambient conditions in the laboratory (relative humidity and temperature)

2.

Operator and Sampling Procedures

3.

Instrument Maintenance

4.

Natural Variation within Cotton

4.4.1

Relative Humidity and Temperature

Every textile operator knows that test results are affected by ambient conditions due to the
hygroscopic or hygrophilous behavior of textile fibers. Cotton as a hygroscopic fiber absorbs moisture
and becomes stronger with it. The time it remains in a conditioned or unconditioned area determines
how much moisture will be retained. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to operate in a controlled
laboratory environment, if a laboratory wants to obtain repeatable results.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-5

Test procedures

ISO standard # 139 defines standard atmospheric conditions as such [1]:

Temperature of 68 4 F (20 2 C)

Relative Humidity of 65% 2%

To attain moisture equilibrium, a conditioning time of at least 24 hours is required, 48 hours is

preferred [2].
These requirements are often difficult to meet during daily operations in a spinning mill. In case a mill
cannot follow these directions precisely, we recommend that some sort of internal standard be
applied. Again, whatever level your conditions are, they should be at least stable. Unstable ambient
conditions cause higher variations in test results, for both, fiber and yarn.
Also, the laboratory conditions should be stable and equal in the entire lab area. Often, laboratory
conditions may be correct and stable in one area, but completely different in another area due to
lacking air circulation control. If a mill has variable laboratory conditions, it is recommended to not the
temperature and relative humidity at the time of testing, preferably close to the test area, the
instrument.
Research organizations and government agencies are expected to operate under the above
mentioned ISO 139 standard laboratory conditions, as their results are considered official data. Uster
Technologies strictly maintains these conditions, since all the data for the USTER STATISTICS is
generated on Uster Technologies test equipment in our central laboratory in Uster, Switzerland. A
final word to sample storage: In order for samples to be exposed to the ambient laboratory conditions,
it is important, that the air can circulate through the sample during the conditioning process.
Perforated boxes that can be stored on open racks in the laboratory are preferable for this process.
Under no circumstances should the cotton sample be stored in plastic bags, as the ambient
conditions cannot reach the sample. In this case, the air conditioning system is of no use since the
sample is not exposed to it.

4.4.2

Operator and Sampling Procedures

Sampling is a very critical aspect in fiber testing. There is always an influence on fiber parameters
since cotton fibers are loosely arranged until twist holds them together to form a yarn. This influence
begins with harvesting the cotton in the field until the twist insertion at the roving and spinning frame.
Thus, also any manual handling of the fiber material influences test results. This resulted in the fact
that a lot of training and experience was required to get repeatable results on traditional, manual test
methods such as the Suter-Web comb sorter or even the Stelometer. In addition to those methods
being very tedious, they also are very time consuming.
Fortunately, todays automated fiber testing systems, such as the USTER HVI SPECTRUM and
USTER AFIS PRO, eliminate operator influence. The USTER HVI SPECTRUM hardly requires any
sample preparation. The samples for the USTER AFIS PRO still need to be prepared manually in
order to enable the opening of the sample in the fiber individualizer of the instrument. This procedure
is described in detail in the USTER AFIS PRO Instruction Manual. Data comparisons have shown
that there is little or no operator influence on the USTER AFIS PRO test results due to sample
preparation.
However, the laboratory should have some general guidelines for uniform test practices established.
Many quality control systems such as ISO 9002 require such in-house standard procedures today,
which is beneficial to the overall laboratory performance.

4-6

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

4.4.3

Instrument Maintenance

It is the responsibility of the instrument user to ensure that the instrument is in good operating
condition. In order to get repeatable results with any test instrument, it is important to keep it clean
and well maintained. Proper equipment performance can be ensured if an Uster Technologies service
technician regularly checks the instrument for maintenance purposes. However, regular cleaning does
help in preventive care of the instrument as well. Cotton as a natural product is contaminated with
dust, trash and leaf particles. Also, very small fiber fragments tend to build up as a fine layer of dust
on and in the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to have the lab personnel follow a regular operating
schedule.
General guidelines that should be followed are listed in Table 4-8 below: Please, refer also to Chapter
10 of the USTER AFIS PRO Instruction Manual in this regard.
Daily

Weekly

Table 4-8

Clean the instrument thoroughly after each shift. This includes:

Open the table top and clean* all the dust and trash out of the instrument

Take the lint out of the lint box

Clean the back filter in the trash box

Clean the filter on the computer

Check the air hoses made out of clear plastic for any remaining
contamination

Clean the individualizer according to the instructions in the Instruction

Manual

Cleaning Guidelines

* The air pressure hose is useful for this task; however, it is even better using a small vacuum cleaner

4.4.4

Natural Variation within Cotton

Cotton as a natural fiber varies in its parameters due to several factors as explained in Chapter 3 and
4 of this manual. Harvesting, ginning and inherent differences between different cotton varieties can
cause variations in test results.
It helps having some basic understanding of statistic principles when evaluating variations in test
results. Common terms such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation should be
known and are described elsewhere [3]. The terms accuracy and precision, however, need some
further explanation.

Accuracy (between laboratory variation)

According to ASTM 123 accuracy is defined as the degree of agreement between the true value of
the property being tested (or an accepted standard value) and the average of many observations,
made according to the test methods, preferably by many observers.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-7

Test procedures

In most cases, the standard value of a property within a natural fiber sample such as cotton is not
known. Thus, the accuracy of a measurement is often described by so-called round trials.
Subsamples of the same cotton sample are sent to many different laboratories and tested on the
respective instruments. The data is being sent back to the organization that carries out the roundtest
(for example, the Fiber Institute Bremen, Germany, or CIRCOT Mumbai, India). The data is then
analyzed and the summary table is sent back to the participating laboratories. The variation of the test
results of each laboratory is expressed as Coefficient of Variation Between Laboratories or CVb%.
Property

CVb%

Nep Count

40

16.0

Length (n)

30

5.0

SFC (n)

30

18.0

UQL (w)

30

2.5

SFC (w)

30

20.0

Dust Count

20

25.0

Trash Count

20

25.0

VFM%

20

25.0

Table 4-9

Between Laboratory Variations, Raw Cotton

Table 4-9 above shows the mean variations between laboratories participating in the Bremen
International Roundtest from 1993 to 2001 [4]. n indicates the average number of participating
laboratories. The AFIS properties listed are explained in Chapter 3 of this manual. From the variations
listed, it is obvious that inherent fiber parameters, such as length, vary much less between
laboratories compared to parameters that are influenced by external sources, such as nep, short fiber
and trash content. These parameters are highly influenced by harvesting and ginning techniques as
described in Chapter 3 and 4 of this Manual. Therefore, very different levels of variation will be
observed for cottons of different origin.

Precision (within laboratory variations)

Precision is defined [3] as the degree of agreement within a set of observations or test results
obtained as directed in a test method. It describes how reproducible a test result is within a series of
tests on the same cotton sample and the same instrument in one laboratory.
The variation of the test results is expressed as Coefficient of Variation Within Laboratory or CVw%.
As already indicated under accuracy above, different levels of variation can be expected for cottons
of different origin. In addition, these variations will change when testing sliver material, as the fiber
alignment drastically changes in the spinning process.

Attention:
In the following examples, maximum expected coefficients of variation are given for the most
important fiber properties of the USTER AFIS PRO. This so-called CVw% values are all based on 5
repetitions of the same material being tested. It is advisable to retest a value if it is an obvious outlier.
Otherwise, it is recommended to increase the number of repetitions to 10 if the CVw% values
mentioned below cannot be obtained.

4-8

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
60.0%
> 50.0%

50.0%

50.0%

CVmax%

40.0%

30.0%

35.0%

> 25.0%

20.0%

25.0%
20.0%

< 20.0%

61 - 100

101 +
over

15.0%
10.0%

< 10.0%

10.0%

0.0%
below 100 101 - 200 201 - 300 301 - 450

451 +
over

below 10

Bale and Card Mat (100% cotton)

11 - 20

21 - 60

Sliver (100% cotton)

Nep Count / gram

Fig. 4-1

Nep Count Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Bale/ Card Mat and Sliver

Fig. 4-1 above shows the maximum variation within a test series of 5 repetitions (CVw% with n = 5)
for AFIS nep count in bale, card mat and sliver material. The different levels of expected variations
depend on the amount of neps in the material. Also, there is a difference between the variation in bale
and card mat versus sliver. As the number of neps in sliver decreases, the variation increases.
However, a high nep count in sliver (for example, above 100 Neps/ gram) shows less variation than
the same amount of neps counted in bale or card mat, which is considered a low nep count for these
materials. As mentioned before, the reason is the completely different fiber orientation after carding,
which influences the test results accordingly. This is simply a phenomenon of the spinning process
and cannot be changed.
It is highly recommended to increase the number of repetitions to 10 when testing combed
sliver, or any other sliver that shows an average nep count below 25.
As indicated in Fig. 4-1 above, the variation in test results increases considerably with low nep counts.
A higher number of repetitions ensure a better statistical significance of the test data. The same
applies for dust and trash count described below.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-9

Test procedures

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
40.0%
35.0%

> 35.0%
30.0%

CVmax%

30.0%

25.0%

25.0%
20.0%

20.0%

< 20.0%

101 - 150

151 + over

15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
below 25

26 - 75

76 - 100

Bale and Card Mat (100% cotton)

Trash Count / gram

Fig. 4-2

Trash Count Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Bale / Card Mat

Fig. 4-2 shows the maximum variation within a test series of 5 repetitions (CVw% with n = 5) for AFIS
trash count in bale and card mat. The variation increases as the number of particles decreases,
which is expected. Trash particles are randomly distributed in raw cotton, therefore always showing a
higher variation than other fiber test results.
Since trash particles are cleaned and extracted during further processing, there are only a very small
number of particles left in sliver. This makes any estimate of a maximum variation for trash particles in
sliver not very useful.
However, there are more dust particles left in sliver. Fig. 4-3 below shows the expected maximum
variation for AFIS dust count in sliver. Like with trash count, the variation of dust count increases with
the number of dust particles decreasing in sliver.

CVmax%

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%

> 40.0%
35.0%
30.0%

below 20

21 - 40

41 - 80

25.0%

< 25.0%

81 - 100

101 + over

Sliver (100% cotton)

Dust Count / gram

Fig. 4-3

4-10

Dust Count Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Sliver

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
40.0%
> 35.0%
35.0%
> 30.0%

30.0%

30.0%
25.0%

25.0%

CVmax%

25.0%
20.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%

below 0.50

0.51 - 1.00

1.01 - 2.00

2.01 - 3.00

3.01 - 4.00

4.01+ over

Bale, Card Mat & Sliver (100% cotton)

V.F.M.%

Fig. 4-4

V.F.M. Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Bale, Card Mat and Sliver

Fig. 4-4 above shows the same expected maximum variation within a test series for 5 repetitions for
V.F.M.% (Visible Foreign Matter). Visible Foreign Matter relates to gravimetric measurement of
contamination within cotton. It takes both dust and trash content into account as well as their size
distribution. Therefore we see a slightly different behavior in this case. Variation in V.F.M.% increases
as the V.F.M. value itself decreases. However, variation in V.F.M. also increases with an increase of
V.F.M. above 2.0 %. In most cases, very dirty cotton contains also a wide variety of large and small
particles. As a consequence, the variation of the test result is also fairly high.

Caution:
Trash and dust count measurement strongly depends on the contamination of the raw cotton. There is
a wide variation of contamination within cotton bales, especially when they come from a variety of
different countries. Therefore, the maximum CV% values shown in Fig. 4-2 , Fig. 4-3 and Fig. 4-4 are
only general indicators. Single results may fall outside these ranges. However, if all your results show
continuously higher variation, then it is recommended to contact your Uster Technologies service
technician.

USTER AFIS PRO

4-11

Test procedures

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
30.0%
> 25.0%
25.0%
> 20.0%

20.0%

CVmax%

20.0%
15.0%

15.0%

15.0%

12.0%
10.0%

< 10.0%

29 - 33 %

34 + %

10.0%

< 10.0%

15 - 25 %

25 + %

10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
below 18
%

19 - 23 %

24 - 28 %

Bale & Card Mat (100% cotton)

below 5 %

6 - 10 %

11 - 15 %

Sliver (100% cotton)

Short Fiber Content by Number

Fig. 4-5

SFC (n) Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Bale, Card Mat and Sliver

Fig. 4-5 shows the maximum variation to be expected within 5 repetitions per sample for AFIS short
fiber content by number measurement. As short fiber content decreases, so does the variation
within a series of test results. There is a level shift in the mean values of short fiber content between
bale & card mat and sliver. Short fiber content in raw material can be over 34% (although rare)
compared to above 25% in sliver (again, the latter being rather an exception). Again, this level
difference can be attributed to the different fiber alignment in bale versus sliver material. In addition,
short fibers are eliminated in carding and combing of the spinning process (see Chapter 3 of this
manual).

4-12

USTER AFIS PRO

Test procedures

Maximum Variation CVw%

within a test series of 5 repetitions
30.0%
> 26.0%
25.0%

> 22.0%

CVmax%

20.0%

22.00%
18.00%

18.00%
15.00%

15.0%

12.00%

15.00%

< 15.0%

10 - 11 %

12 + %

< 12.0%

10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
below 5
%

6-8%

9 - 11 % 12 - 14 %

15 + %

below 5
%

6-7%

Bale & Card Mat (100% cotton)

8-9%

Sliver (100% cotton)

Short Fiber Content by Weight

Fig. 4-6

SFC (w) Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%, Bale, Card Mat and Sliver

Fig. 4-6 shows the maximum variation to be expected within 5 repetitions per sample for AFIS short
fiber content by weight measurement. Again, as short fiber content decreases, so does the variation
within a series of test results. The same level shift in the mean values of short fiber content between
bale & card mat and sliver can be observed as in the by number measurement above. However, short
fiber content by weight is naturally lower than short fiber content by number (see Chapter 3 of this
Manual). In this case, high SFC (w) values are above 15% in bale material, and above 12% in sliver.
Therefore, also the CVw% values are on a lower level compared to by number test results.
Maximum Variation CVw%
within a test series of 5 repetitions
10.0%
> 8.0%
8.0%

CVmax %

6.5%
6.0%
5.0%
> 4.5%
< 4.0%

4.0%

4.0%

3.5%
3.0%
< 2.5%

2.5%

L(n)
L(w) / UQL(w)

2.0%

0.0%
18 - 22
0.70 0.86

23 - 25 0.87 0.98

26 - 29 0.99 1.14

30 - 33 1.15 1.30

34 + over 1.31 mm
inches
+ over

Length Group

Fig. 4-7

Length - Maximum Within Laboratory Variations, CVw%

USTER AFIS PRO

4-13

Test procedures

Average length measurements such as mean length by number L (n) or upper quartile length by
weight UQL (w) are inherent properties that are analyzed different. In this case, one differentiates
between different length groups rather than different materials. The variation within a test series for 5
repetitions increases as fiber length increases. By nature, as described in chapter 3 of this manual
length measurements by number are more accurate compared to length measurements by weight.

4.5

Summary

The figures above show expected maximum coefficients of variation (CVw%) for the major USTER
AFIS PRO measurements, within a test series of 5 repetitions of the same sample being tested.
Laboratory conditions must be maintained according to ISO 139 as described in paragraph 4.4.1 in
order to achieve these within laboratory variations. The within laboratory variations will increase if
laboratory conditions are unstable or non-existent.
These guidelines to within laboratory conditions help a spinning mill to better interpret their AFIS test
results. Also, it enables the operators to identify outliers and repeat a test when necessary. Finally,
following proper sampling and test procedures can also control test variability.

4.6

References

[1]

Standard Atmosphere for Conditioning and Testing, ISO 139

[2]

Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles, ASTM Standard D 1776

[3]

Standard Terminology related to Textiles, ASTM 123

[4]

Bremen Round Trials 1993 2001

4-14

USTER AFIS PRO