A numerical structure-based method of simulating filament yarns

Abstract

Simulation of yarn and filament behavior is very important due to its role in optimizing the processes of producing different types of yarn. Virtual yarn models make it possible to simulate the behavior of fabrics more accurately and that of sewing yarns in seam lines more realistically. The structure of yarns is an important factor affecting their behavior. However, in most studies in the field of yarn simulation, the structure of yarns is ignored, and they are simulated as single strings. In this paper, a model is developed to simulate the behavior of multi-filament yarns based on a multi-string structure and the inter-string forces affected by tension and twist. To this end, the properties that affect a yarn structure, such as the number of filaments, the amount of twist as well as the material and the fineness of the filaments, are incorporated into the model. In order to investigate the validity and accuracy of the proposed model, the simulated behavior is compared to the behavior of real yarns in six different modes. The results show that the model is able to simulate the behavior of yarns with an average error of 5.73%, as compared to reality. In order to investigate the effects of the yarn structure and the corresponding inter-structural forces on the yarn simulation, the yarn behavior is simulated with several simple single-strand models in which inter-string forces are not taken into account. A comparison of the models shows that the proposed one is able to yield results closer to reality and reduce the simulation error averagely for 7.76%.