Textile Manufacturing Fundamentals: Spinning and Weaving Terminology

Textile Manufacturing Fundamentals: Spinning and Fiber Technology

Yarn Formation and Spinning Processes

What is the machine used to form threads from fibers called?

The machine is called a Spinner (or Spinning Machine).

What are the key operations in the spinning process?

The key operations are: Cleaning, Carding/Combing, Drafting (Stretching), and Twisting.

What do doubling and twisting mean in the context of spinning?

• Doubling: Combining two or more strands so they remain parallel.
• Twisting: Imparting rotation to the yarn structure to add strength and cohesion.

What is a drafting train?

A drafting train is a system typically consisting of four pairs of rollers rotating at progressively increasing speeds, used to stretch and thin the fiber strand before twisting.

What is a creel?

A creel is a support structure used to hold numerous yarn packages (coils) required for the warp preparation process.

What is warping?

Warping is the process where warp threads are wound onto a large cylinder (warp beam) to preserve their parallelism and specific color arrangement.

Fiber Classification and Properties

What is the difference between a fiber and a filament? Provide examples.

Filaments have unlimited length, while fibers have limited, measurable length.

• Example Fiber: Wool, Cotton
• Example Filament: Polyester, Silk

What is a hygroscopic fiber?

A hygroscopic fiber is one that readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.

What are the properties of cotton?

Cotton is characterized by being soft, highly absorbent, having good thermal conductivity, dissipating static electricity, easy to dye, non-irritating to the skin, and resisting high temperatures.

Name common types of synthetic fibers.

Common types include Polyamides (Nylon), Polyurethanes (Spandex/Elastane), Polyester, and Acrylic.

Weaving and Fabric Construction Terminology

Provide a synonym for weaving.

A synonym for weaving is Fabric Formation or Textile Production.

What are the threads that form woven fabric called?

They are called the Warp threads (running lengthwise) and the Weft threads (running crosswise, historically called the plot).

What is the role of the loom's heddles (or harnesses)?

The heddles separate the warp threads in order to form the shed, allowing the weft insertion element to pass through.

What is the shed?

The shed is the temporary space created between the upper and lower layers of warp threads, allowing the weft insertion element (like a shuttle) to pass.

Where can a pirn (coil of yarn) be found?

A pirn (or bobbin) is typically found inside the shuttle of traditional looms.

Modern looms often lack shuttles. How is the weft inserted?

Weft insertion is achieved using methods such as a jet of air pressure system (air-jet looms) or mechanical grippers (rapier looms).

What is the machine that makes woven fabric called? And the machine that makes knitted fabric?

Woven Fabric is made on a Loom. Knitted Fabric is made on a Knitting Machine.

What is the Jacquard mechanism? Why is it used?

The Jacquard mechanism is used on looms to create complex patterns or colored designs that require individual control of many warp threads.

Fabric Types and Garment Production

What type of fabric is formed by creating interlocking loops (meshes) with a single thread?

This fabric type is Knitted Fabric.

State the characteristics of knitted fabric versus woven fabric.

• Knitted Fabric: Elastic, comfortable, adapts well to the body, formed by a single thread.
• Woven Fabric: Durable, generally less elastic (unless specialized), formed by two sets of threads (warp and weft).

Examples of products made from woven fabric.

Examples include shirts, towels, curtains, and blankets.

Examples of garments made from knitwear.

Examples include sweaters, scarves, and underwear.

What are the key operations in the garment manufacturing process?

The key operations are Cutting, Sewing, and Finishing.

Provide a synonym for coloring textiles.

A synonym is Dyeing.