Instrument Adjustment
Standardized adjustive procedure aligns the automated image analysis software with verified physical reference standards. Executing a shape factor calibration prevents errors in calculating the irregular cross-sectional geometries of flax fibers. This process utilizes pre-measured synthetic fibers of known circularity to establish a baseline for the calculation algorithms.
Regular adjustment ensures that the reported values remain consistent across different laboratories and testing machines.
Accuracy Baseline
Fibers with highly irregular boundaries are difficult for automated systems to measure accurately. Over time, optical lenses and sensors can drift, leading to false readings that classify high-quality flax as coarse or uneven. Performing a shape factor calibration corrects these errors by resetting the software’s boundary-detection parameters, ensuring that the true perimeter and area of each fiber are calculated correctly.
Spin Consistency
Consistent measurements are the foundation of quality control in high-volume spinning mills. When the shape factor calibration is done correctly, the mill can trust the fiber profiles to adjust the drafting settings on the spinning frames. If the calibration is neglected, the software may underestimate the flatness of the fibers, leading to incorrect setting of the drafting forces.
This mistake results in uneven yarn that is more likely to break during subsequent winding and weaving operations. To prevent these costly issues, laboratory managers schedule this adjustive procedure at the beginning of every shift, using a set of certified test slides that represent the entire range of flax fiber shapes.
