Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

Objectives/task of the Draw Frame:

• Improving evenness of the feed sliver by doubling
• Straightening the trail hook fibers and aligns the fibers parallel to the sliver axis using roller drafting
• Dust removal during drawing operation
• Sliver blending (Mixing slivers from different types of fibres)

Operating Principle/Working Principle/Material passage diagram of a breaker draw frame:

3
2 2
4

1 1 7

Figure: Material passage diagram of a breaker draw frame

From above figure, four to eight carded slivers are drawn from a sliver can (1) by a corresponding
pair of feed rollers (2) and fed into the drafting unit (3). After undergoing a draft ratio of 4 to 8 in
the drafting unit, the slivers emerge as a loosely structured web like card web in carding machine.
The web is immediately guided through a tube (4) and condensed into a sliver using
trumpet/condenser and calendering rollers (5). This newly formed sliver is then passing through
the guide passage of coiler unit (6), and deposited into a receiving sliver can (7).

Terms involved in Draw frame:

I) Doubling: The process of combing two or more slivers into a single form is called
doubling. In draw frame machine, generally four to eight slivers are fed and converted into
one.
II) Drafting: The process of attenuating of feed slivers for reduction of weight per unit length
or increasing length per unit weight.
III) Drawing: In the cotton industry, the term is applied exclusively to processing on the draw
frame where multiple slivers are doubled and drafted (attenuated) to produce a more
uniform sliver with improved fiber alignment.

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

IV) Creeling: Creeling is the process of replacing empty feed cans at the back of the machine
with full cans of feed material and joining the end of the new feed material to the previous
one to maintain continuous operation.
V) Doffing: Doffing refers to removing the full delivery can from the front of the machine
and replacing it with an empty can to continue collecting the drafted material.

Elements of drafting arrangements in short staple spinning generally:

1. Bottom Rollers: Bottom rollers are typically made of steel. They are positively driven, either
via the main gear transmission or a separate drive unit. To enhance fiber gripping and transport,
the roller surfaces are fluted, and may feature one of the following types (see below Figure):

Axial flutes (a) a

b
Inclined or spiral flutes (b)

c
Knurled fluting (c)

2. Top Rollers: Top rollers are not positively driven and are coated with a thick synthetic rubber
layer to prevent damage to fibers and rollers during drafting. The rubber acts as a cushion,
enhancing fiber protection and grip. The coating's hardness—measured in Shore degrees—affects
performance:

Soft (65°–75° Shore): Best fiber guidance, ideal for high draft, but wears quickly.

Medium (75°–80° Shore): Balanced durability and guidance.

Hard (>80° Shore): Durable, used when precise fiber control is less critical.

[Maintenance of top roller: Due to wear during operation, coatings must be periodically reground
using specialized grinding tools that remove thin layers of material. Once the coating wears below
a minimum threshold, it is removed and replaced with a new rubber layer bonded to the core.]

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

3. Top Roller Pressure: To ensure proper fiber control, top rollers are pressed against the bottom
rollers under high pressure. This pressure is applied using one of the following methods:

a. Dead weighting (obsolete)

b. Spring weighting (most common)
c. Pneumatic weighting (e.g., used by Rieter)
d. Hydraulic systems (rarely used)
e. Magnetic weighting (formerly used by Saco Lowell)

Currently, only spring and pneumatic systems are in regular use.

❖ Roller Setting: Roller setting in a roller drafting system (draw frame, speed frame, ring
frame) refers to the distance (or spacing) between the pairs of adjacent drafting rollers (nip line to
nip line), which determines how fibers are controlled and drafted during the drawing process.

General Guidelines for Roller Setting:

• Back roller to middle roller setting: Fiber staple length + Allowance

• Middle roller to front roller setting: Fiber staple length + a smaller allowance (compared
to the back-to-middle setting)

How Each Objective/Task of the Draw Frame Is Achieved Through Specific Mechanisms:

1. Improving Evenness of the Feed Sliver by Doubling: In the draw frame, multiple slivers
(typically 4 to 8) are fed simultaneously and combined into a single sliver after drafting. Since the
mass variations in each individual sliver occur randomly, doubling helps average out these
inconsistencies, significantly reducing irregularities. This results in improved sliver evenness with
a more uniform linear density.

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

2. Straightening Hooked Fibers and Aligning Fibers Parallel to the Sliver Axis: This task is
carried out through roller drafting, which involves 3 to 4 pairs of rollers rotating at progressively
higher speeds. As the sliver passes through the drafting zone, it is attenuated, and the fibers are
pulled from behind. In this process, trailing hooked fibers are straightened because their back
end is gripped by the slower back rollers while the faster front rollers pull them forward, generating
tension that straightens the hook. In contrast, leading hooked fibers are held by their front end,
so the hook remains unstressed and usually stays unchanged. As a result, the straight fibers become
more aligned and parallel to the sliver axis.

3. Dust Removal: Most modern draw frames are equipped with suction systems like air nozzles,
filters, or dedicated dust removal zones. During drafting, fiber-to-fiber friction occurs as the fibers
are pulled and separated, which helps release loosely bound impurities such as dust, leaf particles,
and short fibers (neps). These impurities are efficiently removed by suction units positioned near
the drafting area or sliver coiling point, resulting in a cleaner sliver and improved final yarn quality.

Figure: 4-over-3 drafting arrangement with

suction system

4. Sliver Blending (Mixing Slivers from Different Fiber Types): To produce blended yarns,
different fiber types (e.g., cotton and polyester) can be introduced into the draw frame as separate
slivers. Through the combined actions of
doubling and drafting, fibers from each sliver
are thoroughly mixed in the drafting zone. This
mechanical blending ensures a uniform fiber
distribution in the final sliver, which is essential
for achieving the desired properties in blended
yarns.

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

Description of a 3-over-3 roller drafting system:

Figure: 3-over-3 roller drafting arrangement

3-over-3 means there are three top rollers positioned above three bottom rollers. The bottom rollers
are positively driven and have surface flutes (axial or spiral). The top rollers are freely rotating,
coated with synthetic rubber, and held down by a load (pressure). Each top roller rests directly
above a bottom roller, forming three nip points through which the sliver is drafted. In the main
drafting zone, a pressure bar (p in the figure) is used to guide short fibers.

Drafting Zones in the 3-over-3 roller drafting system: (Two zones)

1. Break Drafting Zone or Back drafting zone – Between the back and middle roller pairs.

2. Main Drafting zone or front drafting zone – Between the middle and front roller pairs.

Calculation of drafting for 3-over-3 roller drafting system:

Draft is calculated through the ratio of the surface speed of the faster roller to that of the slower
roller.
• Break or Back Draft (B): Occurs in the back zone, i.e., between the back and middle
rollers:
Vm
Break Draft (B) = ; Where: Vm = Surface speed of middle roller and Vb = Surface
Vb
speed of back roller
• Main or Front Draft (F): Occurs in the front zone, i.e., between the middle and front
rollers:
Vf
Front Draft (F) = ; Where: Vf = Surface speed of front roller and Vm = Surface
Vm
speed of middle roller
Vm Vf Vf 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫
⸫ Total Draft = Break Draft × Main Draft = B × F = ×Vm = Vb = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟
Vb

𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫
⸫ Draft = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 = 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟
=
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

Effect of Doubling on Sliver Evenness in Draw Frame: To understand how doubling improves
evenness in the draw frame, let’s look at a simple mathematical example using the concept of mass
variation (CV%). CV% (coefficient of variation) is a measure of unevenness (mass variation) in
slivers.

• When we double multiple slivers, the CV% of the resulting sliver decreases according to the
formula: CVcombined = CVindividual / √n

Where: CVcombined = CV% after doubling, CVindividual = CV% of one individual sliver and n =
number of slivers doubled.

Example: Let’s say the CV% of a single sliver = 4%

If we double 4 slivers together then CVcombined = 4 / √4 = 4 / 2 = 2%

If we double 8 slivers then CVcombined = 4 / √8 ≈ 4 / 2.83 ≈ 1.41%

• With 4 slivers: mass variation reduces from 4% → 2%, With 8 slivers: mass variation reduces
further to about 1.41%. So, doubling reduces unevenness in the final sliver significantly.

The breaker draw frame and finisher draw frame perform similar functions—mainly
doubling and drafting—but differ in purpose, setup, and effect on sliver quality.

Aspect Breaker Draw Frame Finisher Draw Frame

Position in First stage of drawing after Second (final) stage after breaker
process carding draw frame or combing
Purpose Initial blending and partial Final quality enhancement and sliver
evenness improvement uniformity
Drafting Lower drafting (moderate draft Higher drafting (final precise draft
intensity range) applied)
Number of Higher (more slivers fed in for Fewer doublings (already well-
doublings better blending) blended)
Output quality Improved but not final quality Highly uniform sliver ready for next
process
Autoleveller Absent Usually equipped with autoleveller
presence for precision
Production speed Typically, slower Faster, optimized for efficiency
Feed material Carded Sliver from breaker draw frame or
combed slivers
End use Prepares sliver for second Prepares sliver for roving or direct
drawing or combing spinning

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]
 Draw Frame: A Machine for Spinning Preparation

What is an Autoleveller in Finisher Draw Frame?

An Autoleveller in a finisher draw frame is an automatic control system designed to monitor and
correct sliver unevenness (mass variation) during the drafting process in real time. Its primary
function is to improve sliver uniformity, which is crucial for producing high-quality yarns.

………………Feed Weight
Draft = ——————————— x Doubling Conversion Factors:
…………..Delivery Weight
•
36 inch = 3 Feet = 1 Yard;
•
1 inch = 25.4 mm = 2.54
………………….Sliver Length (L) x Weight Unit (w) cm;
Sliver count = ——————————————————— • 1 Meter = 1.0936 Yards;
• 1 Pound (lb) = 453.6 Gram
………………… Length Unit (l) x Sliver Weight (W)
= 16 Ounce (Oz);
• 1 Lea = 120 Yards;
• 840 Yard = 7 Lea = 1 Hank;
………………Delivery Sliver Hank • 1 Pound (lb) = 7000 Grains;
Draft = ————————————– x Doubling • 1 Meter = 39.37 Inch;
………………Feed Sliver Hank • 1 Kg = 2.205 Pound (lb),
• 1 day = 24 hrs = 3 shift; 1
shift = 8 hrs
• Ne = 590.6/Tex
Problem-1: If the sliver weight = 55.5 grains/yard, then what will be the sliver count?
Ans: 0.15 Ne
Problem-2: To get 0.17 hank sliver from a drawing machine by feeding 0.14 hank carded sliver
(No of carded sliver is 6), Calculate the Draft.
Ans: 7.29
Problem-3: Find out the Draft if, Feed Sliver weight = 62 grains/yd, Delivery Sliver weight = 60
grains/yd and Number of doubling = 8.
Ans: 8.267

Problem-4: If, Delivery speed = 600 m/min, Sliver hank = 0.11 Ne, Efficiency = 85%, Wastage
= 5%, Then what will be the production per hour in that draw frame?
Ans: 156.04 kg

Md. Bashar Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles,
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh; [email protected]