Fiber Sorting
Raw flax stock entering a Chinese spinning mill arrives in tangled lots where staple length variations create processing hazards unless the sorting floor applies overlapping bundle disambiguation to separate distinct fiber fractions. Sorting technicians measure individual stem lengths against graduated wooden boards before pulling parallel tufts from the bulk mass. Natural growth variations mean that single stalks yield long line fibers at the tip and shorter tow fibers near the root.
Separating these mixed lengths prevents drafting irregularities during subsequent gill box passes.
Drafting Control
Intermediate drawing frames rely on precision roller settings to maintain fiber parallelism while continuous slivers pass through successive drafting heads. Overlapping bundle disambiguation ensures that density profiles remain stable across the delivery apron during high speed production runs. Roller pressure adjustments compensate for natural variations in fiber diameter by altering the draft ratio dynamically.
Slivers exiting the final drawing frame undergo electronic capacitance scanning to detect mass irregularities before roving frames twist the material.
Yarn Grading
Final spun yarns are classified according to tensile strength and hairiness metrics recorded in the mill inspection certificate. Overlapping bundle disambiguation establishes whether low breaking loads originate from weak individual fibers or poor inter-fiber friction within the twist geometry. Yarn buyers stipulate strict tensile thresholds in purchase contracts while mills maintain tighter internal tolerances to absorb raw material variability.
Test results from lea strength testers dictate whether yarn lots proceed to wet spinning departments or industrial weaving sheds.
