Comparative analysis of two kinds of pneumatic compact spinning using finite element method

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to know airflow field and its distribution of pneumatic compact spinning systems. Complete compact spinning (CCS) and four-line rollers compact spinning (FRCS) are both two kinds of pneumatic compact spinning systems, which utilizes airflow in condensing equipment to condense fiber bundle and improve yarn properties. Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for an exploratory study using finite element method, the airflow field in the condensing area of CCS and FRCS were simulated. First, a periodic movement of the fibers in bundle in condensing area was detected, and the yarn tracks were described veritably under the high-speed-video-camera and AutoCAD Software. Then the physical models of the condensing zone were constructed according to the physical parameters of the practical system. The simulation of airflow velocities were extracted along the yarn tracks using ANSYS Software. Finally, the numerical results were verified by spinning experiments. Findings The results show that the negative velocity component along the Y-axis helps keeping beneficial hairiness. CCS has higher negative velocity value and more abundant beneficial hairiness than FRCS. The velocity component in the X-axis direction has a direct effect on yarn evenness. For the same liner density of CCS and FRCS, the larger the value of the velocity component on X-axis is, the better the yarn evenness is. For 9.7tex, CCS has larger velocity component in the X-axis direction and better yarn evenness than FRCS, showing that CCS is more suitable for spinning fine count yarn. The velocity component in the Z-axis direction has a direct effect on breaking strength. CCS has little velocity component in the Z-axis direction and little breaking strength than FRCS. Originality/value To know airflow field and its distribution by finite element method is helpful to investigate the condensing principles of the fiber bundle and improve yarn properties.