Air-jet spinning is the latest answer in the endeavor to develop faster and more reliable and flexible spinning technologies. Ring spinning has been the cornerstone of the spinning industry for decades accompanied by open-end or rotor spinning. But in 1997 the Japan based Murata Machineries revealed the latest spinning technology in the name of vortex technology. It is the so called air-jet spinning technology we are familiar with.
Murata vortex spinner (MVS)
Over time, Murata established a niche market for these special yarns and claimed success for the technology. Modifications to the Vortex technology in the late 1990s resulted in significant changes in yarn structure compared with first-generation yarn structures. These modifications enabled twist to be imparted more effectively to the outer surface of the yarn, which, consequently, increased yarn tenacity. They also made it possible for the first time to process shorter staple lengths, such as 100-percent cotton, in addition to man-made fibers and blends. In September 2008, Murata introduced Vortex yarns at the Expofil Yarn Fair in Paris. Murata communicated that “the functionality and fashionable features of the Vortex yarns met the expectations of the textile professions around the world.” Nevertheless, as spinning is a conservative industry, the technology wasn’t, and isn’t yet, that successful compared to ring or rotor spinning, but Vortex yarns maintain their place in a niche market.
The J 20 air-jet spinning machine has 120 spinning units and is equipped with four robots, with two on each side of the machine. |
The spinning units on the J 20 air-jet spinningmachine are configured in a duo-draftingArrangement suitable for all fiber types. |
Reiter air-jet spinning
In 2003, the Reiter Group, Switzerland, challenged the markets by introducing its own air-jet spinning technology, beginning with the development of the J 10 air-jet spinning machine. The technology’s market launch has continued since June 2008. The main development criteria included, to name just a few: high productivity; flexible, simple machine settings; ease of operation; and low downtimes for maintenance and lot changes. These criteria determined the machine concept and the individual components.
Due to their yarn structure, air-jet-spun yarns display good yarn elongation values equaling those of ring-spun yarns, depending on yarn count and raw material. The elongation in air-jet-spun yarns is also reflected in the yarns’ good processing behavior.
A number of innovations incorporated in the J 20 air-jet spinning machine allow it to achieve delivery speeds of 450 meters per minute (m/min). By comparison, normal ring-spinning delivery speeds are 15 to 27 m/min, and rotor spinning speeds are 130 to 250 m/min. The Reiter air-jet spinning machine has a construction similar to that of a rotor spinning machine.
Since ITMA 2011, Reiter has begun marketing the J 20 worldwide. The company claims that “the J 20 is a production miracle with smallest space requirements. With its high operating speed of up to 450 m/min and 120 spinning units, the J 20 air-spinning machine heads the productivity scale.”
This technology is certainly an attractive alternative to all other existing spinning processes. However, its market acceptance will show if this assessment is true.
