Method and device for controlling a treatment installation for textile fibres, in particular cotton fibres

Abstract

Textile fibers, in particular cotton fibers, in a treatment installation by way of a transport system are supplied after one another to various treatment stations. With this the fibers are at least cleaned and homogenized. With a sensor system ( 10 ) continuously at least two different physical variables ( 22 ) are detected at the fibers. From the detected variables certain fiber properties are deduced and actual values are formed which in an evaluation means ( 8, 9 ) are compared to a nominal value ( 24 ) for each fiber property. With the presence of deviations from a nominal value the operating condition at least of one treatment station and/or of the transport system is changed. With this the whole treatment process is to be optimized.

1 . A method for controlling a treatment installation for textile fibres, in particular cotton fibres, before the spinning, with which the fibres by way of a transport system continuously in one go pass through various treatment stations after one another and with this are in particular at least cleaned and homogenised, characterised in that 
 during the transport of the fibres with a sensor system continuously at least two different physical variables are detected at the fibres,    that from the detected variables in an evaluation means there is derived an actual value for certain material properties which is compared to a nominal value for each material property,    and that with the presence of deviations from a nominal value the operating condition of least of one treatment station and/or transport system is changed.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to    claim 1   , characterised in that at least one of the following properties is determined 
 colour,    dampness,    surface coating (stickiness, wax content),    temperature,    flock size and density, flock distribution, flock mass, flock speed,    fibre fineness    fibre or flock purity,    fibre length (staple distribution).    
     
     
         3 . A method according to one of the claims  1  or  2 , characterised in that at the sensor system the presence of foreign matter is detected.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to    claim 3   , characterised in that the presence of at least one of the following foreign matter is detected: 
 foreign fibres of a natural origin,    plastic material,    vegetable foreign material,    metals,    mineral foreign material,    neps,    animal secretion, in particular honey dew,    agricultural agents.    
     
     
         5 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    4   , characterised in that the sensor system emits or receives electromagnetic waves and reacts to at least two different wave spectra.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to    claim 5   , characterised in that the sensor system functions in the near infrared region.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    4   , characterised in that the sensor system sends or receives ultrasound waves.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    7   , characterised in that the sensor system detects the variables with at least two sensors at, with regard to the transport direction, various locations of the treatment installation.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    8   , characterised in that the fibres run through or run up to the treatment stations with a pneumatic transport system.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    9   , characterised in that the variables are averaged or evaluated at different time intervals.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    10   , characterised in that with the processing of raw cotton (ginning) it takes place between the feeding of the cotton capsule and the pressing of the purified cotton fibres into bales.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to one of the    claims 1    to    10   , characterised in that with the processing of cotton fibres in the spinning mill it takes place between the opening of the cotton bales and the carding into a fibre fleece.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to    claim 12   , characterised in that the fibres 
 are presented as bales and are opened by way of a bale opening machine,    run through an extractor    are supplied to at least one mixer,    and subsequently at least one carding machine are processed into a web,    wherein via the evaluation means on recognising foreign matter or with material deviating greatly from a nominal value the extractor is activated and on recognising other deviations the mixer is activated for changing the mixing ratio.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to    claim 13   , characterised in that on recognising other deviations additionally a cleaner and/or a carding machine is activated for changing the machine parameters.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to one of the    claims 12    to    14   , characterised in that on recognising foreign matter and/or other deviations the bale opening machine is activated for changing the opening movement.  
     
     
         16 . A device for controlling a treatment installation for textile fibres, in particular cotton fibres, before the spinning, with several treatment stations, in particular with at least one cleaner and with a homogenising means, and with a transport system for the continuous transport of the fibres in one go through the treatment stations, characterised by 
 a sensor system with which at least two different physical variables are detectable at the fibres,    an evaluation means with a nominal value setter for at least one material property, in which from various variables there may be derived an actual value of this material property which may be compared to a nominal value,    and a control means for changing the operating condition of at least one treatment station and/or the transport system given the presence of deviations of the detected actual values from a nominal value.    
     
     
         17 . A device according to    claim 16   , characterised in that the sensor system comprises at least one sensor, which emits or receives electromagnetic waves of different wave spectra.  
     
     
         18 . A device according to    claim 17   , characterised in that at least one sensor is a near infra-red sensor.  
     
     
         19 . A device according to    claim 16   , characterised in that the sensor system comprises at least one ultrasound sensor.  
     
     
         20 . A device according to one of the    claims 16    to    19   , characterised in that the sensor system comprises at least two individual sensors which with regard to the transport direction are arranged at various locations of the treatment installation.  
     
     
         21 . A device according to one of the    claims 16    to    21   , characterised in that the transport system is a pneumatic transport system and that the sensor system is directly allocated to at least one section of the fibre transport conduit.  
     
     
         22 . A device according to one of the    claims 16    to    21   , characterised in that the treatment installation as treatment stations in series comprises 
 a bale opening machine  
 an extractor,  
 a mixer  
 and a carding machine,  
 and that via the control means on recognising foreign matter or greatly deviating material the extractor is activatable, and on recognising other deviating material properties the mixer is activatable.  
 
     
     
         23 . A device according to    claim 22   , characterised in that additionally a cleaner and/or a carding machine is activatable.  
     
     
         24 . A device according to    claim 22    or    23   , characterised in that additionally the bale opening machine is activatable.