Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research

Vol. 27, March 2002, pp. 38-43

Apron slippage in ring frame : Part I - Establishing the phenomenon and its
impact on yarn quality

A Dasa & P Yadav

Northern India Textile Research Association, Sector 23, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad 20 1 002, India
and
S M Ishtiaque
Department of Textile Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 1 10 0 1 6, India
Received 6 September 2000; revised received and accepted 22 February 200]

The phenomenon of apron to apron slippage exists in every spindles but with different extent. Due to the absence of
positive means of motion transmission from bottom to top apron, the top apron always moves at a slower speed than bottom
apron and this speed difference is higher when there is material in between them. This apron to apron slippage causes
uncontrolled movement of fibres in the apron zone, resulting in poor yam quality.

Keywords: Apron to apron slippage, Bottom apron, Cotton yam, Polyester/viscose yam, Tenacity, Top apron

1 Introduction same speed, the fibre strand in between them will

also have streamline movement and in that case one
In double apron drafting arrangements, two sets of can expect a controlled movement of fibres in the
aprons (bottom apron and top apron) are used to main draft zone. But, due to the negative
control the fibre movement in the main drafting transmission of motion from bottom apron to top
zone, i.e. between middle roller and front roller. To apron, there are every possibility of apron to apron
guide the fibres, the upper apron must be pressed slippage, i.e. top apron to move at slower speed than
with controlled force against the lower apron. The bottom apron which can result uncontrolled
bottom apron is driven by the middle bottom roller movement of fibres in between aprons. This paper
by frictional contact and guided through bottom deals with the establishing phenomenon of apron
apron guide plate as close as possible to the bottom slippage and its impact on yarn quality.
front roller. The top apron is driven by the bottom
apron through frictional contact. In the main drafting 2 Materials and Methods
zone of ring frame, as the number of fibres are 2.1 Measurement of Apron to Apron Slippage
relatively small and at the same time the amount of
draft is very high, the strict control over the The amount of apron to apron slippage was
movement of floating fibres is very essential. observed with and without roving in the drafting
zone. To measure the apron slippage, a mark was put
As there are no positive transmission of motion on the top and bottom aprons. Another reference
from bottom apron to top apron, it may be thought mark was put on the frame itself. Time taken to
that whether the aprons are really controlling the make five revolutions by the top and bottom aprons
movement of fibres in the main drafting zone. The was measured with the help of stop watch. The
primary condition of controlling the movement of process is repeated for five times to get the average
fibres is that both the aprons should move at the time. Then the length of the aprons was measured.
same speed. However, if both the aprons move at the With the values of time and length, the surface speed
of apron was calculated. Difference of the surface
speeds of bottom and top aprons was used to
"To whom all the correspondence should be addressed.
Phone: 4783586; Fax: 009 1 -0 1 20-4783596; calculate the apron slippage, as per the following
E-mail: nitra@nde.vsnl.net.in relationship:
 DAS et al. : APRON SLIPPAGE IN RING FRAME : PART I 39

Apron to apron slippage (Sa), %= apron slippages were observed in three randomly chosen
Bottom apron Top apron ring frames as shown in Table 2. The apron slippages
surface speed surface speed were observed for 30 Ne and 40 Ne cotton running with
x l 00 0.9 and 1 .0 hank rovings respectively and for 30 Ne PN
Bottom apron surface speed
running with 0.9 hank roving.
The following drafting details were used in the
2.1.1 Study on Apron Slippage
present study:
To establish the phenomenon of apron slippage, a Drafting details Pilot plant Mill
detailed study was carried out in laboratory pilot plant as Drafting system SKF 235 LR (P-3- 1 )
well as in a most modem 100% EOU. In the pilot plant, Top roller pressure, kg 14 14
the apron slippages were measured in two different ring Break draft 1 .4 1 .2
frames with both short cradle for cotton and long cradle Tensioning arrangement Spring & pulley Spring & pulley
Front zonelback zone
for polyester/viscose (PN). The apron slippages were
setting, mm
measured in five different spindles randomly chosen in 100% Cotton 43/60 44/72
each case as shown in Table 1 . In the industry also, the PN 69/73 55/72
Table I - Values of apron slippage in laboratory ring frames
Type of Spindle Speed of apron without Apron Speed of apron with roving Apron
material No. roving, mrnIs slippage without mrnls slippage with
Bottom apron Top apron roving, % Bottom apron Top apron roving, %

24 Ne I 1 2.68 12.66 0. 1 6 1 2.53 1 2. 1 6 2.95

100% cotton 2 12.57 12.53 0.32 1 2.47 1 2.30 1 .36
(carded) 3 12.79 12.77 0. 1 6 1 2.60 1 2.45 1 . 19
4 1 2.79 1 2.73 0.3 1 1 2.54 1 2.36 1 .43
5 12.77 1 2. 5 1 2.04 12.57 12.12 3.58

24 Ne I 1 2.99 1 2.97 0. 1 5 1 2.60 12.40 1 .59

100% cotton 2 1 2.76 1 2.62 1.10 12.70 12.34 2.84
(carded) 3 1 2.67 12.62 0.39 1 2.30 1 1 .90 3.25
4 12.77 1 2.64 1 .02 1 2.49 1 2.00 3.92
5 12.73 1 2.62 0.86 1 2.63 1 2.51 0.95
24 Ne 1 1 5.58 15.49 0.58 14.92 14.44 3.21
polyester/ viscose 2 1 5.76 15.45 1 .97 15.16 1 4.70 3.05
(65:35) 3 1 5.82 15.48 2.15 15. 1 1 1 4.42 4.56
4 15.66 1 5.47 1 .2 1 15.0 1 1 4.75 1 .72
5 15.80 1 5 .65 0.95 15.08 14.88 1 .32

24 Ne 1 1 5.28 1 5.08 1.31 14.63 1 4. 1 5 3.29

polyester/ viscose 2 1 5.46 15.10 2.33 14.98 1 4.39 3.92
(65:35) 3 1 5.85 1 5.64 1 .32 15.26 1 5.01 1 .64
4 1 5.62 15.29 2. 1 1 15.19 1 4.58 3.99
5 1 5.44 15.19 1 .62 1 5.03 1 4.64 2.59

Table 2 - Values of apron slippage in ring frame of a modern 1 00% EOU

Type of Spindle Speed of apron without Apron slippage Speed of apron with Apron slippage with
material No. roving, mrnls without roving, % roving, mrnls roving, %
Bottom apron Top apron Bottom apron Top apron
40 Ne cotton 1 25.43 24.97 1 .80 25. 1 4 24.40 2.94
2 25.56 25.02 2. 1 0 25. 1 6 24.29 3.46
3 25.49 25. 1 3 1 .4 1 25. 1 4 24.20 3.74
30 Ne cotton 1 32. 10 3 1 .40 2. 1 8 3 1 .69 30.58 3.50
2 32.0 1 3 1 .27 2.3 1 3 1 .50 30.3 1 3.78
3 3 1 .79 3 1 .07 2.26 3 1 .4 1 30.23 3.76
30 Ne polyester/ 1 47.99 46. 8 1 2.46 47.92 45.58 4.88
viscose (65:35) 2 48.42 47. 1 5 2.62 47.49 45.26 4.70
3 48.49 47.32 2.41 47.92 45.90 4.22
40 INDIAN J. FIBRE TEXT. RES., MARCH 2002

2.2 Study on Effect of Apron Slippage tensile tester using 50 cm test length and 1 0 cmlmin
To study the effect of apron slippage on yarn extension rate. The mean values of tenacity and
quality only two spindles - one with short cradle for elongation were averaged from 100 observations for
cotton and another with long cradle for PN were each sample, i.e. 10 readings from each bobbins.
selected. The spindles were so selected that normal Hairiness index and diameter U% were measured in
apron slippages with material were on the higher side, Keisokki hairiness tester LASERSPOT Model LST at
i.e. 4.5% for cotton and 4.72% for PN to represent a speed of 25 mlmin for 1 min. The details of the test
slippage level-2 (Table 3). The apron slippages were results for both cotton and PN yarns at different level
then increased to level-3, keeping all the other of slippages are given in Table 3.
parameters constant, by making the top apron tight by
wrapping cellotape very uniformly on the cradle 2.3 Fibre Movement i n the Apron Zone
roller. As the top apron becomes tight, the frictional The fibre strand in the main drafting field consists
resistance between the inner surface of top apron and of only a few required fibres. There is hardly any
top apron cradle increases, which, in turn, resists the friction field, and the fibre guidance provided by
motion of the top apron, resulting in higher apron to rollers alone is inadequate. Therefore, in the main
apron slippage. It is well known that the increase in drafting zone double aprons are provided to reduce
tension of top apron to a very higher level leads to the uncontrolled movement of floating fibre l -3 • Thus,
intermittent movement of apron. Sufficient care has the aprons really have the most important task on the
been taken so that the tension of the aprons does not spinning machines; a controlled increase in the fibre
increase to a very higher level to have the uniform speed in the main draft up to the full speed on the
4
movement of the aprons. Only idea was to increase delivery roller , at the same time reducing the fibre
the apron to apron slippage to level-3 (Table 3) with mass to the prescribed values.
uniform movement of top apron. On the other hand, To perform the above functions properly, the most
the apron to apron slippage was reduced to level- l by important condition is that both the aprons should
rubbing 4 mm of both the edges of bottom and top move at the same speed. As the fibre strand is
aprons with the help of emery paper to have better transported by the frictional contact of both the
frictional contact between aprons (Table 3). bottom and top aprons, any variation in speed
Ten roving bobbins of the hank 1 . 1 were prepared between the aprons results in turbulent movement of
each from 1 00% cotton and 65:35 polyester/viscose of fibres. Figs. 1 and 2 show the streamline and turbulent
5 1 mm staple length. From each roving bobbin, 24 Ne movement of fibres in the apron zone respectively.
yarns were prepared with three different levels of Ideally, both the aprons should move at the same
slippages. Therefore, at each slippage level ten ring speed (Fig. 1 ) which will result in straightening of the
bobbins were prepared in the same spindle from ten fibres in the drafting zone by removal of hooks during
different roving bobbins. The cotton yarns were spun drafting5 . But in actual practice, as the top apron
with 4.0 TM and PN yarns with 3.2 TM and the moves at a slower speed than the bottom apron
spindle speed was kept at 1 0,500 rpm both for cotton (Tables 1 and 2) there is turbulent movement of fibres
and PN yarns. due to the rubbing action generated by the relative
All the yarns were tested for evenness and movement of aprons, and friction between aprons and
imperfections in UT3 at a speed of 400 mlmin. fibres, and between the fibres themselves. The
Tensile properties were measured on SDL universal backward drag force on the top layer of the fibre band
Table 3 - Effect of apron to apron slippage on yarn quality
Type of yarn Level of Apron U% Imperfections/km Tensile properties Hairiness Diameter
slippage slippage Thin Thick Neps Tenacity Elong- index (HI) U%
.

% places places +200% cN/tex ation

50% +50% %
24 Ne cotton Level l 3.48 14.64 76 788 542 1 1 .83 5.86 682 14.2
Level 2 4.50 1 5 . 14 1 12 881 625 1 1 .48 5.99 694 1 5.7
Level 3 8.64 1 7 .3 1 342 1 658 862 1 0.5 1 6.02 689 1 7.2
24 Ne polyester/ Level I 2.87 1 0.58 8 1 04 257 1 5 .44 7.56 3 12 9.8
viscose (65 :35) Level 2 4.72 1 1 .55 14 1 89 375 14. 1 9 7.68 307 1 1 .3
Level 3 7.96 1 2.93 38 266 543 1 3.32 7.44 322 1 2.7
 DAS el at. : APRON SLIPPAGE IN RING FRAME : PART I 41

in the apron zone by the top apron results i n between top and bottom apron, frictional resistance of
retardation of the fibres i n that zone while, o n the inner surface of top apron and apron cradle, condition
other hand, the fibres in contact with bottom apron of apron, contact pressure, surface speed of bottom
move relatively at a faster speed and this results in apron, pressure distribution between aprons, etc. The
non-streamline movement of fibres in the apron zone above factors cannot be identical for all the spindles
(Fig.2). and, therefore, a wide variation in apron to apron
This apron to apron slippage results in rolling or slippage in different spindles is expected as is evident
rubbing of fibres in the drafting zone, thereby from Tables 1 and 2. When fibre strands are there in
showing entanglement of the fibre instead of between aprons, the slippage values are always higher
straightening in the idealised condition. Figs. 3 and 4 than that in the absence of material in between aprons.
show the photographs of the drafted rovings collected This is due to the fact that when fibre strand is present
from the front roller nip of the same ring frame in between the aprons, it hinders the flow of motion
spindle, drafted from the same PN roving with two further. Apron to apron slippage in a particular ring
different levels of apron slippage. frame also varies widely from spindle to spindle when
Figs. 3 and 4 show that as the apron slippage . there is fibre strand in between.
increases the fibre entanglement also increases due to Apron to apron slippage with and without material,
the reason as discussed earlier. in general. is found to be higher in the industry than

3 Results and Discussion

3.1 Extent of Apron to Apron Slippage
The apron to apron slippage data in laboratory ring
frames and that in ring frames of an industry are given
in Tables 1 and 2 respectively. It is observed that
always there is apron to apron slippage, i.e. top apron
always moves at a slower speed than bottom apron
even when there is no material in between them. This is
due to the fact that the top apron is getting its motion
-: -- --
from bottom apron only by frictional contact. There is
no positive means of motion transmission. The . - ..jLl � -"
slippage between aprons, when there is no material
between them, depends on many factors, e.g. friction

_ VI
vam
mmvOZZIlIlOV71M Tap Apua
�'j.�. �-���:.�
Fig.3 - Photograph of fibre strand coming out from the front
roller nip at negligible apron to apron slip (0.3%)
------:: - -
-
...----:::
+- DirocIioa of lilnllow
� - -
----
---== -
--- ----
Apua
..f'%\\\S� BoIIaaa
_ Vb

Fig. l - Idealised streamline flow of fibres in the apron zone

(Vb VI, where Vb is surface speed of bottom apron and VI, the
=

surface speed of top apron)

_ Vt

-
Vb

Fig.2 - Turbulant flow of fibres in the apron zone (Vb > VI,
where Vb is surface speed of bottom apron and VI the surface Fig.4 - Photograph of fibre strand coming out from the front
s�d of top apron) roller nip at very high level of apron to apron slippage ( 1 0.6%)
42 INDIAN J. FIBRE TEXT. RES., MARCH 2002

that in the laboratory (Tables 1 and 2). This is due to

the higher surface speed of bottom apron in the • Level-1
industry than that in laboratory ring frame. Table 2 �Level-2
shows that the slippage is higher in case of 30 Ne PN
• Level-3
than that in case of 40 Ne cotton, probably due to the
higher bottom apron speed and different fibre
properties.
From the Tables 1 and 2, it is also clear that the
speed of bottom apron is always lower when the
rovings are drafted than that observed without
materials, which is due to the drafting force of the
break draft zone that acts opposite to the bottom aprons
direction of motion and restricts its movement6 •

3.2 Mass Irregularity

Table 3 and Fig. 5 show that the apron slippage has
a significant influence on yarn unevenness both for
cotton and PN yarns. The higher the apron to apron
slippage, the higher is the yarn unevenness. The same
trend is observed both for cotton and PN yarns. As
the apron slippage increases, keeping all other Cotton

parameters same, the movement of fibres gets Fig.5 - Effect of apron to apron slippage on yam irregularity
disturbed as discussed earlier. Due to the uncontrolled (U%)
movement of fibres in the main drafting zone, the
distribution of the number of fibres in the cross­ 1800 -r------,
section gets disturbed and this results in the increase
in unevenness. The diameter U% also follows the . 1.eveI-1
1600 � Level-2
similar trend as shown in Table 3 .
. Level-3
3.3 Imperfections 1400
Figs. 6 and 7 show the effect of apron slippage on
thick places, thin places and neps of both cotton and
PN yarns respectively. A drastic increase in the
imperfections is clearly evident when the slippage
increases. As already been discussed, when the apron
to apron slippage increases there is a turbulent
movement of fibre strand in drafting zone, causing
rolling of fibres which results in generation of neps
and thick places. As the thick places or neps are
generated due to the fibre rolling, this also leads to the
formation of thin places.
400
3.4 Tensile Property
The tenacity of both the cotton and PN yarns
deteriorates when apron to apron slippage becomes 200

higher (Table 3 and Fig.8). With higher slippage, the

movement of fibres gets disturbed and the fibres o
become entangled, causing improper migration in the · T h in Th ick
places pla ce s
yam structure. Also, due to the non-straightness of
fibres the ratio of mean fibre extent to original fibre Fig.6 - Effect o f apron t o apron slippage o n cotton yam
length7.9, which is defined as spinning-in-coefficient imperfections
 DAS et al. : APRON SLIPPAGE IN RING FRAME : PART I 43

•
600
Ill_I.'

•
�leYeI-2
level-1
1S

•
level-2 .l_�S

1f 13
,.

level-3

400

E
•
�c:: c
0 �
e 12
'is
�
� 300
&
.5
E 11
�
200

PoiyHtwM6cose
Fig. 8 - Effect of apron to apron slippage on yam tenacity

4.4 As the apron to apron slippage increases the yam

Thin Thick
quality deteriorates in terms of evenness,
Neps
places places places imperfections and tenacity. But, no clear trends have
Fig .7 - Effect of apron to apron slippage on PN yam been observed in breaking elongation and hairiness.
imperfections From the present study, it is clearly evident that
apron to apron slippage is existing in all the spindles
(1(,,), reduces and this results in reduction in tenacity. to varying extent which is detrimental for yam
No clear trend has been observed in case of breaking quality. Efforts can be made to either reduce the
elongation. slippage to a negligible level or eliminate it by
positive drive of top apron. The factors responsible
3.5 Hairiness for apron slippage will be studied in details in Part-II
No clear trend has been observed for hairiness in
of this series.
both the yams when apron slippage increases (Table 3).

Rererences
4 Conclusions I Balasubramanian N, Text Res J, 39 ( 1 969) 1 55.
4.1 The phenomenon of apron to apron slippage 2 Klein W, Short Staple Spinning Series, Vol. 4 (The Textile
exists in all the spindles, but the extent of slippage Institute, UK), 1987.
3 Bay E & Baier F, Melliand lnt, (4) ( 1998) 162.
varies widely from spindle to spindle and this may be
4 Karuer H & Bomhauser P, Int Text Bull, 44 (4) ( 1 998) 48.
responsible for spindle to spindle variation in yam 5 Lord P R & Grover G, Text Prog, 23 (4) ( 1 993) 19.
quality. 6 Singh A K, Effect of speed-frame apron slippage on yam
4.2 The amount of slippage is always higher when quality, M.Tech. thesis, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi,
there are fibre strands in between bottom and top 1999.
7 Ishtiaque S M & Saxena A K, Indian J Fibre Text Res, 23
aprons than that observed without fibre strands.
( 1 998) 1 4 1 .
4.3 The extent of slippage found to be higher at higher 8 Kasparek J , Text Month, 8 ( 1 974) 52.
speed of bottom apron, i.e. at higher spinning speed. 9 Ishtiaque S M, Indian J Text Res, 1 1 ( 1 986) 208.