Determining Flax Staple Profile Using Manual Comb Sorting
Manual comb sorting by ISO 2370 isolates technical flax bundle length profiles to prevent drafting waves, control short fibre content, and enforce purchase contracts.
Baer Comb Sorter
Analytical Instrument
Precision laboratory equipment measures the distribution of fibre lengths in a flax sample by manually separating strands into graduated categories. The baer comb sorter consists of a series of fine combs mounted in a frame that holds the material securely during the extraction process. Operators use this device to prepare the arrays needed for textile quality control.
Operation Sequence
A technician places a prepared bundle of flax into the needles and uses forceps to pull out the longest fibres first. As the baer comb sorter holds the remaining mass, subsequent pulls extract progressively shorter fibres until the sample is exhausted. These groups are then laid out on a velvet board to create a visual representation of the staple profile.
Every single pull is carefully aligned to the base line of the board to ensure the resulting diagram is accurate. The combs are dropped one by one to reveal the next layer of fibres as the sorting progresses through the bundle.
Grading Utility
Results from this manual sorting assist spinners in adjusting machine settings for the drafting process. Accurate use of the baer comb sorter determines whether a batch of flax is suitable for high count yarns.