Model identification of the bundle thickness dynamics in drum friction spinning

Abstract

The dynamics of the friction yarn formation process is described in terms of the dynamic behavior of the process state variables. Production efficiency and product quality of friction spinning are influenced by these process state variables. This study was performed with the intention of setting up a dynamic model based on mass balance in order to delineate the dynamic behavior of the cross-sectional area of the in-process bundle on the friction drum surface and to attain the distribution profiles of the cross-sectional area in transient state and in steady state as well. Then, simulation results were compared with those of the experiment, while the input variation was used as a test signal. Theoretical model shows that the bundle thickness on the friction drum has the dynamic characteristics of an integrating system with interval due to the finite length of the input fleece zone, and is in good correspondence with the results of the experiment. A periodic change in the fleece feeding rate led to the fact that there was a specific range of the fluctuation wavelength in the fleece feeding rate, whereas a change in the in-process bundle thickness completely disappeared or became locally maximized in certain wavelength areas. This could lead to a magnification or inaction of the perturbations with the corresponding wavelength in the bundle thickness; a bundle thickness irregularity. Experiments also identified that the theoretical model accurately described the fiber accumulation dynamics in a friction spinning process.