The absorbency of water by fabrics is an important factor for comfort, but it also changes those mechanical properties that affect the operation of automated handling equipment. The research reported in this paper investigates the effects of environmental-humidity changes on the friction of unloaded fabrics sliding across an aluminium surface. The study is in two parts. Firstly, the acclimatisation of fabric is measured by introducing the samples to a sudden change in humidity, from dryness to 65% r.h. Secondly, all fabric samples are subjected to a full absorption-desorption cycle, which reveals the hysteresis characteristics.

The mono- and dual-directional shedding operations are foremost and indispensable for carrying out the 2D- and 3D-weaving processes respectively. These two classes of shedding operation comprise between them seven distinct categories of methods at present. A classification of the identified shedding methods has been evolved to form a frame of reference and to distinguish the technical differences between them.

This paper examines the dynamic process of hairiness formation in worsted ring spinning. A special CCD camera was used to observe the fibre behaviour in the spinning triangle. The formation mechanisms of leading, trailing, looped, and wild hairs are demonstrated with a series of photos. Several unique features on hairiness formation are also reported in this paper.