Process Failure
Accumulation of plant debris and wax within the narrow guide funnels of a spinning frame restricts the free flow of the drafted fiber strand. This trumpet nozzle clogging causes the fiber strand to break or creates large mass variations in the spun yarn. It occurs when wet-spinning water contains high levels of suspended solids or when the flax fiber is under-retted.
The boundary of this failure is marked by a sudden increase in spindle downtime.
Mechanics of Failure
As the damp fiber strand passes through the trumpet nozzle, it leaves behind microscopic deposits of pectin, wax and fine cellulosic dust. Over time, these deposits build up into a hard crust that narrows the opening of the nozzle, causing trumpet nozzle clogging. This restriction creates drag on the fiber strand, which leads to stretching and thinning of the yarn before it receives its twist.
Operators must stop the spinning frame to clear the blockage and clean the nozzle with specialized brushes.
Maintenance Routine
Mills establish scheduled cleaning intervals to prevent these blockages from occurring during production. Minimizing trumpet nozzle clogging keeps the spinning efficiency high and reduces the number of yarn joins. This preventative action ensures a more uniform yarn package.
