Fibre Process Flow Chart
This section will provide an example of how our machines work with raw fibres and turn them into various finished products. The dying process has been excluded in order to simplify the chart as it contains many different methods. To view the process, scroll down the page and hover over the step you are curious about to get additional information.
Sorting - Skirting - Tumbling
The first step is to remove any larger impurities by skirting your fibre. The Tumbler reduces the dust content and readies the fibre for the next step.
Washing
The next step is to wash or scour the fibre in order to remove dust, dirt and grease. The Washer and Dye Vat can be used at this stage.
Fibre Separating
The Fibre Separator removes guard hairs and vegetation.
Opening
The opening stage opens up the locks of fibre with the Picker in order to prepare them for the carding process.
Rug Yarn Machine
The Rug Yarn Machine takes the web as it leaves the carder and turns it directly into a type of yarn that is wound around a core (rug yarn).
Carding
The Carders job is to align the fibres and make a consistent ‘web’. Continues to remove any smaller impurities.
Batting
Web is directed onto the batt drum to make a batt of fibre for felting or quilting.
Felting
The batting can be layered on the Felter and wet felted.
Roving
Roving is a stream of aligned fibres parallel to one another.
Drafting
The Draw Frame evens out the roving in preparation for spinning.
Spinning
The Spinner drafts and twists the roving into a wide array of thicknesses in the “single.” The single is the spun thread before plying.
Plying
Twisting strands of yarn together is called plying.
Cone Winding
The finished yarn is taken from the spinner on bobbins and run through the cone winder onto cones.
Ball Winding
The finished yarn is taken from the spinner on bobbins and run through the ball winder to create balls of yarn.
Skein Winding
The Skein Winder takes the yarn from cones or bobbins and makes it into a skein.
Steaming
The steaming process balances the yield yarn.