Current combing record with the new E66 and E76 Combers
by Anja Knick, Product Management Combing.

Rieter has installed more than 4 000 combers in the past 5 years. This number speaks for itself. Users are convinced by Rieter combers in mill operations due to their superior quality and very good running behavior at maximum output. They are the most economical machines on the market. Experience with these machines provided the basis for the development of the new E 66 and E 76 combers.

74 kg of combed sliver per hour – a new record.

74 kg/h on the E 76 and 72 kg/h on the E 66 – these are the effective production performance figures of the new combers. With 500 nips/min, batt weight of up to 80 g/m and very good machine running behavior, a large number of combers are already producing to customers’ complete satisfaction under mill conditions.

The increase in output has been achieved by means of C•A•P•D500. C•A•P•D500 – computer aided process development – consists of the optimization of the combing process for 500 nips/min as regards movement, loading of the combing elements and air guidance.

440 KG/H – Optimum Combing Line

The increase in comber output has an influence on line size. The new combing line, with an output of 440 kg/h of combed sliver, consists of 1 OMEGAlap E 35 and 6 E 66 or E 76 combers (Fig. 2).

Together with UNIlap combing preparation, a line comprises 1 UNIlap E 32 and 4 E 66 / E 76 combers with an output of 300 kg/h. Superior quality with maximum output.  The laps produced on the UNIlap or OMEGAlap provide the ideal feed material for the new combers. C•A•P•D500 enables the fibers to be combed gently at maximum speed.

This is evident in the good web quality. Experts also confirm the visible improvement in the web edges. The gentle combing action is also apparent with the new models in excellent fiber selection, high sliver eveness and good yarn quality.

Energy saving – A priority theme for Rieter

Low energy consumption by spinning machines has been a priority theme for Rieter for many years. Each new generation of combers launched on the market has achieved striking energy savings per kilogram of combed sliver compared to its predecessor model. A saving of 12.5% is the figure for the new comber (Fig. 3). Optimization of sequences of motion, a reduction in the mass of the combing elements and the increase in output have made this possible.

Unique automated lap change

The fully automated ROBOlap lap changing and batt piecing system of the new E 76 comber is still unique. Customers in Europe, the Far East, South America, China and now also in India have been working with this fully automated system for more than 10 years.

The fully automated ROBOlap system operates as follows. The machine stops as soon as a lap runs empty. The remaining batt on the tubes is sucked off. The empty tubes are then replaced by full laps. The batt ends of all 8 laps are then prepared simultaneously for piecing, i.e. thinned out. Finally, piecing is performed simultaneously at all 8 combing positions. The machine accelerates to maximum production speed.

ROBOlap measurably improves piecing quality compared to manual batt piecing. This is clearly apparent in combed sliver eveness. At the same time efficiency is improved by 2% compared to the “semi-automatic” E 66 comber. ROBOlap reduces operator effort on the comber to purely supervisory functions. Qualified operating personnel can therefore be employed for other duties.

Semi-automated or fully automated lap change as required

A choice can be made between the semi-automated SERVOtrolley and the fully automated SERVOlap E 25 system for transporting laps from combing preparation to the comber.

The SERVOtrolley system has been further developed for ROBOlap machines so that fully automated E 76 combers can also be installed in lines with semi-automated SERVOtrolley lap transport trolleys in future.

Rieter combers stand for superior technology with many years of mill operating experience in high-performance combing. The E 66 / E 76 combers continue this tradition of maximum production with superior quality, low energy consumption and maximum economy.