
Positive Feeding for Circular Knitting / Surgical Masks
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We have trialed the Ultrafeeder on multiple Circular knitting applications to provide exact tension control for spandex & tacky special yarns. The Ultrafeeder provides precise tension control by adjusting speed (up or down) to maintain an exact tension set point. The goal of the trials was to determine the effects constant tension has on quality & production output.
Working with difficult yarns such as spandex, we can greatly control the yarn so the optimal yarn consumption is perfectly maintained & monitored. Using the feeder's metering function, yarn consumption can instantly & accurately be calculated & monitored.
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Below are some of the successes we achieved:
1. Elimination of all defects due to width variation - quality was greatly improved and considered "exceptional". With special fibers, such as medicinal yarns, our feeders are critical to ensure the fabric is evenly distributed with those yarns.
2. Decrease in downtime - the positive feeder helps mitigate tension spikes & anomalies, which increases yarn stability and improves run ability.
3. Process improvement - because yarn consumption can be accurately tracked, quality control becomes more automated. By knowing that exact length of yarn when the fabric is woven, manual quality checks downstream can be eliminated. Combined with tension tracking, the system gives a complete view of yarn stability and quality of the raw material.
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Many of our customers who use the feeder were able to easily adjust to mask production. By controling tension, both quality & production output increased. Below are a few customers & applications that have had great success with the BTSR feeder.
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Medical Yarns - With several plants, our positive feeder is necessary for running all medicinal yarns, so the fabric is evenly distributed with those yarns. By controlling tension, we prevent the loss of chemical application by reducing the amount of friction as the yarn moves through the process.
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Spandex - For spandex applications, the Ultrafeeder is used on bare spandex to increase yarn savings. The feeder is able to maximize the draw on the yarn so that yarn consumption decreases.
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High pattern knitting - With applications that require more detailed knitting, our Ultrafeeder is used to eliminate off quality & decrease yarn break outs.
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For customer referrals, please contact us. We have many customers that are experiencing dramatic improvements and are happy to share.
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Additional Info & Videos

Video: Circular Knitting
Ultrafeeder being used to control tension for circular knitting for mask production.

Brochure: Positive Feeders
Overview of the complete BTSR feeder offering, along with common control options.