Power Roll Gin Stand Technology: Evaluation and Optimization of Rib Rail Angle and Ginning Point Modifications on a Retrofitted Lummus Gin Stand

Abstract

Previous studies have shown the powered roll gin stand (PRGS) is capable of improving ginning rate, turnout, and fiber quality relative to a conventional gin stand; however, most of these studies used Continental Eagle gin stands, the gin stand used to develop the initial prototype and the one used in the initial field trials. Field experience in commercial gins where the PRGS technology was installed on non-Continental Eagle equipment did not always show the levels of improvement previously reported. Investigation as to the differences between the models of gin stands for which the powered roll was working and those for which it had less than desirable results revealed the primary differences were the rib rail angle and location of the ginning point. A study was conducted on a retrofitted Lummus-116 gin stand to evaluate the hypothesis that the rib rail angle and ginning point location were the reasons why the PRGS technology was not as effective on makes of gin stands other than those used to develop the technology. Results validated the hypothesis and indicated that the rib rail angle needed to be reduced by 4 and the gin point increased by 12.7 mm from the initial settings on the Lummus-116. The findings demonstrate that the initial concept of all that was needed to implement the PRGS technology on an existing gin stand was to replace the gin front was in error: the rib rail angle and ginning point location need to be considered when retrofitting any existing gin stand with PRGS technology.