Silk Spinning

the aggregate of production processes used in converting silk waste obtained in sericulture and various branches of the silk industry (such as cocoon reeling and silk throwing) into yarn. Three systems of spinning are used: comb spinning without carding, card and comb spinning, and condenser spinning.

Comb spinning without carding is used to produce yarns up to 2.8 tex. The raw material is sorted, scoured to remove gum and fat, separated, and stapled, after which it is combed on circular carding machines. From three to four machine transfers are usually used, during which the combings from the first machine enter the second and so on. The output from the carding machines is fed to a cross folder, where it is drawn out and formed into sliver, which is wound onto a drum. The sliver is then drawn out and doubled in several transfers on two-stage drawing frames, after which it is fed to roving frames. The roving frames produce spun roving, which is processed into twisted roving on roving machines with spindles. Spinning is accomplished on ring spinning frames.

In card and comb spinning, combings from the last carding machine are processed into yarn. The combings are sorted, separated, and carded on carding machines equipped with roller cards. The sliver is then successively processed on drawing frames, a machine that joins several slivers together, and a combing machine. The combed sliver is processed on drawing, roving, and ring spinning frames into yarn up to 6.7 tex.

Condenser spinning consists in processing the combings obtained by card and comb spinning. The combings are separated, cleaned, oiled, and carded on carding machines. The roving is then processed into yarn on ring spinning frames.

Blends of silk wastes and chemical fibers can also be processed into yarns. (See alsoSPINNING.)