APPAREL MANUFACTURING – II 3(3+0)

Lesson 12 : Methods of Spreading

Automatic

1. Rolling Rack (fig 5)The fully automatic rolling rack has a drive motor and end switches that permit the machine to automatically drive itself from beginning to the end of the table and back. Other features are similar to the semiautomatic rolling rack. The machine can be mounted with an end cutter that would also automatically cut off the end. It can be turn table(fig 6) too.( )



FIG 5

FIG 6



2. Tubular Knit Fabric Spreader: (fig7) Tubular knit fabrics pose a special challenge. As two layers of fabric are being placed on the table from the roll simultaneously, a frame is inserted inside the tube of fabric to control both layers as they pass through the machine. The frame prevents twisting or folding as the fabric is placed on the table. Positive feed rollers reduce the tension in the fabric during spreading.




FIG 7

Spreading machines carry the piece of fabric from to end dispensing one ply at a time on to the spread. The basic elements consists of

• A frame or carriage
• Wheels traveling in guide rails at the edge of the table
• A fabric support
• Guide collars to aid the correct unrolling of the fabric

The operator clamps the free end of fabric in line with end of the spreader to the other end, cuts off the ply in line with that end, clamps the beginning of next ply and pushes the spreader to the other end.

More advanced machines may include a

1. Bolt drive motor drive the carriage, a platform on which the operator rides
2. A ply cutting device with automatic catcher
3. An alignment shifter actuated by photo-electric edge guides
4. Ply width-two photo cells on each side of the machine are indexed to the narrowest width of cloth
5. Ply counters- preset counters enables to count the number of plies and the machine stops automatically
6. Creases removal device-a perforated air blower system mounted on the exit line of the cloth directs fine jets of compressed air
7. Pattern matching. An optical head is used to scan the pattern & information fed into a control unit synchronizing the lateral and lined movement of cloth
8. Loading-performed manually or mechanically with swivel arms
9. Defect scanner- A VDU (Visual display unit) mounted on the side of machine digitizes the size and position by a projector type cursor.
10. Operation comfort-most motorized machines are equipped with a platform on which the operator can stand and sit while machine is traversing the table.