ABSTRACT
Most of the functions of the comber depend upon the nature of the Baer sorter diagram. This diagram reveals several important properties such as effective length, mean length short fibre content etc. The short fibres in any cotton are the source of trouble at every step. They lead to uneven drafting – ‘drafting wave formation’. In the final yarn, their uneven representation leads to the irregularity of both the count (measure of fineness) and the strength. The short fibres are inseparable and an inherent part of any variety of cotton as they exist and are formed during growth.
During the whole spinning process i.e., during the conversion of cotton into yarn, comber is the only process where efforts are made to positively remove them. After removal, it is often claimed that the cotton is supposed to be upgraded. However, it must be borne in mind that there is no qualitative change in the fibres after these short fibres are removed. In fact, they exhibit the same properties as before. But what is changed is the fibre composition. This can be nicely explained by taking the Baer sorter diagram of the material before and after the combing process. The long tailing portion is conspicuously absent when the cotton is combed.
Apart from short fibres, the process involves the separation of vegetable matter, kitty and neps. Here also, this does not form the basic object of combing. This is because; their removal is only incidental. Even then, some researchers use this as a criterion to judge the improvement in the quality of cotton after combing.
Lastly, the upgrading through the process of combing is realised when the yarn spun shows improvement in strength and appearance. It is shinier and has more lustre. Obviously, such a yarn leads to a better quality of fabric.
