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ISO 26243:2007 – Cards for Staple Fibres Spinning – Vocabulary and Principles of Construction
A Technical Guide to Textile Carding Machine Terminology, Components, and Design Standards
1. Introduction to Carding Technology and ISO 26243
Carding is a fundamental process in textile spinning that transforms raw fibre tufts into a clean, parallel-oriented web suitable for sliver formation. The carding machine performs several critical functions: opening fibre tufts down to individual fibres, removing contaminants, dust, and short fibres, and producing a uniform fibrous web that is subsequently condensed into a sliver for downstream spinning operations.
ISO 26243:2007, prepared by ISO/TC 72 (Textile machinery and accessories), establishes a standardized vocabulary and construction principles for cards used in the spinning of cotton and other staple fibres. This standard provides the textile engineering community with unambiguous terminology for machine components, dimensional specifications, and side definitions, facilitating clear communication between manufacturers, users, and maintenance personnel worldwide.
Understanding the standardized terminology of ISO 26243 is essential for specifying carding machine components, ordering spare parts, and interpreting technical documentation across different manufacturers and linguistic regions.
2. Card Classification and Basic Terminology
2.1 Basic Card Types
The standard defines two fundamental card types based on their configuration. The flat card is characterized by movable flats positioned above the cylinder, which work in conjunction with the main cylinder to achieve progressive fibre opening. This design is predominant in cotton spinning due to its superior cleaning and fibre alignment capabilities. The more general term card refers to any machine that opens fibre tufts to individual fibres, separates contamination, and produces a web formed into a sliver.
2.2 Dimensional Definitions
Precise dimensional terminology is critical for manufacturing and quality control. The standard defines three key width parameters:
| Parameter | Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing width | B | Decisive width for calculating clothing length, equivalent to cylinder width W minus end plates |
| Cylinder width | W | Complete width of roll barrel including possible end plates |
| Working width | A | Cover width of fibre material on the roll |
2.3 Side and Orientation Definitions
The standard adopts a consistent convention for defining left and right sides of the machine. The right side (R) is defined as the side on the right when looking against the fibre flow direction. The left side (L) is correspondingly the side on the left. The work flow direction refers to the material flow direction of fibre movement through the machine. The drive side is the side equipped with the cylinder drive mechanism. These definitions follow the principles established in ISO 92 for textile machinery.
Incorrect identification of machine sides can lead to errors in installation, maintenance, and spare part ordering. Always verify the fibre flow direction before determining left and right – the convention is against the flow, not with it.
3. Detailed Component Analysis
3.1 Tuft Feeding System
The feeding system prepares fibre material for entry into the carding zone. The upper trunk (reserve trunk) collects and stores fibre material before processing. The feed roll transports and clamps fibre material against the feed tray while simultaneously serving as a mass flow regulator. The opening roll releases fibre from the clamped beating and, with supporting air current, delivers individual tufts through the transfer trunk into the card feeding area.
3.2 Licker-in Section
The licker-in section performs preliminary opening and cleaning. The standard describes configurations with one to three licker-in rolls, each progressively opening fibre material. A licker-in knife (separation place) is positioned adjacent to the first licker-in to separate coarse contamination. Carding elements equipped with clothing provide pre-opening of fibre tufts. The number of licker-in rolls significantly affects cleaning efficiency and fibre opening quality.
3.3 Main Cylinder and Revolving Flat System
The cylinder (also termed tambour) is the main working component of the card. It carries clothing and interacts with the revolving flats, pre-carding zone, and post-carding zone to open fibre tufts down to individual fibres. The revolving flat system consists of multiple bars equipped with clothing that traverse slowly over the cylinder periphery. Approximately 28 flats are simultaneously in the working area. The flat strips roll and its associated cleaning roll maintain flat cleanliness for consistent carding performance.
The cylinder-flat interaction zone is the heart of the carding process. The setting distance between cylinder and flats, typically in the range of 0.15-0.40 mm, directly determines carding intensity and fibre straightness. Tighter settings produce better fibre orientation but increase the risk of clothing damage.
3.4 Web Formation and Delivery
The doffer removes fibres from the cylinder and transports them to the stripper roll. The fibre web then passes through press rolls that crush remaining seed coat fragments. The webspeed and cross belt systems actively transform the fibre web into a sliver, guided by the sliver funnel (typically equipped with a mass measurement system). Finally, delivery rolls (designed as stepped rolls or plain rolls) compact the pre-formed sliver for collection.
4. Principles of Construction
Annex A of ISO 26243 provides normative construction principles that define the standard configurations for carding machines:
- Integrated feeding: The tuft web is formed immediately prior to the feed roll, providing a compact feed zone design.
- Feeding with transfer: The tuft web is formed in a separate feeding trunk and subsequently transferred to the feed rolls, allowing more space for fibre opening.
- Card configurations: Machines may be equipped with one or three licker-ins depending on cleaning requirements. Delivery systems include cross-belt delivery and webspeed configurations.
- Standard working widths: 1000 mm and 1500 mm are established as standard widths for industrial carding machines.
| Card Configuration | Typical Application | Working Width | Production Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single licker-in card | Coarse fibres, low cleaning demand | 1000 mm | Moderate |
| Three licker-in card | Cotton, high cleaning demand | 1500 mm | High |
| Cross-belt delivery | Standard sliver formation | 1000 / 1500 mm | Medium-High |
| Webspeed delivery | High-speed processing | 1500 mm | Very High |
5. Engineering Insights and Practical Applications
ISO 26243 serves as more than a vocabulary standard – it provides a structured framework for understanding carding machine design and operation. For textile engineers and maintenance professionals, the standardized terminology eliminates ambiguity in technical communications across international boundaries.
Key practical considerations derived from this standard include:
- Clothing selection: The type, density, and wire configuration of clothing on cylinders, flats, and licker-ins must be matched to the fibre type being processed. Cotton requires different clothing specifications than synthetic fibres.
- Setting accuracy: The precise adjustment of distances between cylinder, flats, doffer, and licker-ins directly influences carding quality, fibre damage, and machine productivity.
- Airflow management: The bottom cylinder cover regulates air balance beneath the cylinder, affecting fibre retention and web uniformity. Proper airflow design is critical for high-speed carding.
- Mass monitoring: Modern cards integrate sliver mass measurement systems in the sliver funnel for real-time quality control and autoleveling feedback.
The distinction between clothing width (B), cylinder width (W), and working width (A) in ISO 26243 is particularly important for specifying replacement clothing. Ordering the incorrect width can result in significant production downtime and costly returns.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between a flat card and a roller card?
ISO 26243 focuses on flat cards, which use movable flats above the cylinder for fibre opening. Roller cards (not covered by this standard) use additional roller pairs instead of flats and are typically used for longer fibres such as wool and non-woven applications.
ISO 26243 focuses on flat cards, which use movable flats above the cylinder for fibre opening. Roller cards (not covered by this standard) use additional roller pairs instead of flats and are typically used for longer fibres such as wool and non-woven applications.
Q2: Why does the standard specify standard working widths of 1000 mm and 1500 mm?
These widths represent industry-optimized balances between production throughput, fibre web uniformity, and machine structural dynamics. Wider cards offer higher production rates but require more precise mechanical construction to maintain consistent carding gaps across the full width.
These widths represent industry-optimized balances between production throughput, fibre web uniformity, and machine structural dynamics. Wider cards offer higher production rates but require more precise mechanical construction to maintain consistent carding gaps across the full width.
Q3: How do I determine the correct side (left or right) of a carding machine?
Stand facing the machine looking against the fibre flow direction (i.e., looking from the delivery end toward the feed end). The side on your right is the right side (R), and the side on your left is the left side (L). This convention is consistent with ISO 92.
Stand facing the machine looking against the fibre flow direction (i.e., looking from the delivery end toward the feed end). The side on your right is the right side (R), and the side on your left is the left side (L). This convention is consistent with ISO 92.
Q4: What maintenance considerations apply to revolving flats?
Revolving flats require regular inspection of clothing condition, precise setting verification, and cleaning of flat strips. The cleaning roll for flat strips should be periodically checked for wear. The flexible bend guiding surfaces must be maintained to ensure smooth flat movement.
Revolving flats require regular inspection of clothing condition, precise setting verification, and cleaning of flat strips. The cleaning roll for flat strips should be periodically checked for wear. The flexible bend guiding surfaces must be maintained to ensure smooth flat movement.
