Manufacture of solvent-spun cellulose fibre and quality control means therefor

An apparatus for the production of staple fibers of solvent-spun cellulose, which comprises means for mixing cellulose and a solvent to form a hot cellulose solution, means for forming a multi-filamentary tow of continuous filaments from the hot solution, a water bath for leaching the solvent from the tow, means for passing the tow of filaments through the water bath, cutting means downstream of the water bath to cut the leached tow of filaments to staple fiber length, means for passing the leached tow of filaments to the cutting means and detection means for detecting faults on the tow of filaments, said detection means comprising means for projecting a beam across the tow and receiving means having means for initiating a signal if the obscurement of the beam by the tow exceeds a predetermined amount, said detection means being positioned downstream of the water bath whereby said beam is projected across the leached tow when it is wet, and a nip positioned between said water bath and said detection means whereby said wet tow is passed through said nip before being passed to said detection means.