We all know that the feel of a fabric is important. But have you ever stopped to think about how the thread count, or yarn count, of a fabric affects its quality? If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, the thread count is simply a numerical expression which defines the fineness or coarseness of a fabric.
Table of Contents
- The yarn count definition
- How to determine the thread count
- The principle behind the Beesley balance
- The apparatus used
- The working procedure
The yarn count definition
The yarn count is a numerical expression which defines its fineness or coarseness. It also expresses weather the yarn is thick or thin. A definition is given by the textile institute – “Count is a number which indicates the mass per unit length or the length per unit mass of yarn.”
To determine the thread count or yarn count we use five instruments with wrap reel & analytical balance. Beesley balance is one of them. It is working on the principle of fixed weight and fixed length system. The other instruments are Lea & Pilling, Scanlan, and Stelometer.
The count of a yarn is defined as mass per unit length or length per unit mass. The SI unit for count is “length/mass”. The most common units used in the United States and United Kingdom are yd/lb, denier, and tex. Count can also be expressed as direct or indirect.
The direct count system is used when the required data can be obtained from a single specification. In this system, the fineness of the yarn is calculated from the weight per unit length or from the length per unit weight. The denier and tex systems belong to the direct count systems, where denier = 9 Tex.
The indirect count system uses two pieces of information about a specimen; usually the length and weight. From these two pieces of information, the count is derived by applying certain formulae. The most common indirect system is the yarn count, which is based on length per unit mass or mass per unit length
How to determine the thread count
There are numerous ways to determine the thread count of a given fabric. The most common method is through the use of a Beesley balance. This method is based on the principle of fixed weight and fixed length.
First, a known weight of yarn is wrapped around the template on the balance. The number of wraps is then counted and recorded. Next, the wrapped yarn is removed from the template and placed on the scale. The weight of the yarn is then determined and recorded. The thread count is then calculated by dividing the weight of the yarn by the number of wraps.
The apparatus used in this method includes a Beesley balance, a yarn wrap template, and a scale. The balance has a platform on which the template is placed. The template has a series of evenly spaced holes along its edge. The scale is used to weigh the wrapped yarn.
The working procedure is as follows: first, the balance is calibrated by adjusting the counterweight until the pointer coincides with the zero mark on the scale. Next, the template is placed on the platform and a known weight of yarn is wrapped around it. The number of wraps is then counted and recorded. The wrapped yarn is then removed from the template and placed on the scale. The weight of the yarn is then determined and recorded. Finally, the thread count is calculated by dividing the weight of the yarn by the number of wraps.
The preparatory process of weaving includes spinning, twisting, and plying operations. Yarns are first spun from staple fibers on a spinning frame to produce continuous filament yarns on a spinning machine. These yarns are then twisted on a twisting machine to produce textured or non-textured yarns. Finally, these yarns are plied on a twisting machine to produce ply yarns.
The principle behind the Beesley balance
The principle behind the Beesley balance is that it uses a fixed weight and fixed length system. This allows for more accurate measurements of the thread count. The principle is simple but effective, and has been in use for many years.
The fixed weight and fixed length system means that a certain amount of weight is used to measure the thread count. This weight is then used to calculate the length of the thread. The calculation is then used to determine the thread count. This system is more accurate than other methods because it takes into account the weight and the length of the thread.
The principle is simple but effective. It has been used for many years and is still in use today. This system is the most accurate way to determine the thread count of a given fabric.
The apparatus used
The apparatus used in determining the thread count are the wrap reel, analytical balance, and the Beesley balance.
The wrap reel is used to hold the specimen and to allow for a uniform winding of the yarn. The analytical balance is used to determine the weight of the specimen. The Beesley balance is used to determine the length of the specimen.
The working principle of the Beesley balance is based on fixed weight and fixed length system. In this system, the weight of the specimen is kept constant, while the length is varied. The length is measured with a micrometer. The weight is determined by suspending the specimen from the beam of the balance. The advantage of this system is that it is not affected by the density of the yarn.
The working procedure
The working procedure for using the Beesley balance is relatively simple. First, the fabric sample is placed on the balance. The weight of the sample is then recorded. Next, the length of the fabric is measured. Finally, the thread count is calculated by dividing the length by the weight.
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The yarn count is a numerical expression which defines its fineness or coarseness. It also expresses weather the yarn is thick or thin. A definition is given by the textile institute – “Count is a number which indicates the mass per unit length or the length per unit mass of yarn.”
To determine the thread count or yarn count, we use five instruments with wrap reel & analytical balance. Beesley balance is one of them. It is working on the principle of fixed weight and fixed length system.