Comb Array Staple Length Distribution Analysis for Hackling Yield Prediction
Comb array length analysis predicts hackling long-line yield, tow waste, and spinnable count limits to establish true landed cost per finished metre.
Shive Loss
Material Waste
Non-fibrous woody fragments separated from the flax stem during mechanical processing represent a reduction in total raw material weight. This reduction, termed shive loss, occurs mainly during scutching and carding where the outer bark is broken and removed. Spinners measure this waste percentage to calculate the yield of spin-ready flax from the raw straw bundles.
Process Efficiency
High amounts of woody residues in the raw fibre require intense mechanical cleaning that can damage the long flax line. The occurrence of shive loss is a direct result of the efficiency of the decortication and hackling machines. Operators balance the machine speeds to remove the maximum amount of shives while keeping fibre breakage to a minimum.
If the decortication is incomplete, too much shive remains attached to the fibre, which increases the subsequent waste at the carding stage and reduces the overall yield of high-grade sliver.
Quality Assessment
Remaining shives in the sliver create thick points and weak spots in the spun yarn. Handlers inspect the carding sliver for shive content to determine if additional gilling and combing are necessary. Minimizing shive residue improves the mechanical efficiency of subsequent yarn processing and ensures a uniform surface in the finished cloth.