Method and apparatus for fiber length measurement

Method in a carding machine in which before and/or after a working element the nep count and/or the fiber length (staple) is determined, with an open-loop/closed-loop control unit being provided which receives the said values for the fiber length and/or the nep count as input values and determines therefrom the optimized machine setting data and outputs the same to at least one actuator of a working element which influences the nep count and/or the staple of the carding machine, characterized in that

• at least one of the said actuators changes the licker-in speed(s).

Method in a carding machine in which before and/or after a working element the nep count and/or the fiber length (staple) is determined, with an open-loop/closed-loop control unit being provided which receives the said values for the fiber length and/or the nep count as input values and determines therefrom the optimized machine setting data and outputs the same to at least one actuator of a working element which influences the nep count and/or the staple of the carding machine, characterized in that

• the actuator is a means which changes the transfer factor.

Method in a carding machine in which before and/or after a working element the nep count and/or the fiber length (staple) is determined, with an open-loop/closed-loop control unit being provided which receives the said values for the fiber length and/or the nep count as input values and determines therefrom the optimized machine setting data and outputs the same to at least one actuator of a working element which influences the nep count and/or the staple of the carding machine, characterized in that

• the production of the carding machine, in particular the delivery speed or the sliver weight, is changed by at least one of the said actuators.

The method in a blowroom machine for processing textile fibers, characterized in that the nep count and/or the fiber length (staple) is determined before and/or after one or several working elements of the blowroom machine and optimized machine setting data are determined therefrom.

Method in a textile processing plant, characterized in that at least two of the methods as mentioned in the preceding claims can be applied in combination with one another.

Apparatus in a blowroom machine for processing textile fibers, in particular bale openers, fine or coarse cleaners, fiber tuft feeder, characterized in that the nep count and/or the fiber length (staple) is determined before and/or after at least one working element of the blowroom machine and optimized machine setting data are determined therefrom.

Method or apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber length measurement and/or nep count measurement and their evaluation are performed during operation of the machines.