27—A STUDY OF THE REMOVAL OF VEGETABLE MATTER BY BURR BEATERS ON MODERN WORSTED CARDS

Abstract

An investigation is reported in which the efficiency of burr beaters on a modern worsted card was measured over a range of vegetable-matter (VM) types and contamination levels. The results indicate the prime importance of the morels for removing VM from wool. Over-all, the burr beaters removed some 90% of the VM originally present, thicker particles being removed more efficiently than thinner ones. In an extension of the investigation, the efficiency of the comb was measured and found to be high and independent of particle size. This suggests that an increase in the working efficiency of the burr beaters during carding can lead to a reduction in the VM-contamination level of the final top.