Autoconer 338 – Winding Technology. Multi-Optionality, Know-how ...

Autoconer 338 –
Winding Technology.
Multi-Optionality,
Know-how, Internationality.

Yarn package winding –
Key Technology in the textile production process.
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Materials wound on the Autoconer 338.
• Cotton
• Wool
• Polyester
• Viscose
• PAN
• Linen
• Blends
Yarn package winding is the completion of the
yarn forming process and the starting point for
various subsequent processes, from weaving or
knitting to textile finishing. This interface function
of winding is what makes the winding process so
important. In winding, the course is set for high
cost-effectiveness in the following stages of the
textile production chain. At the same time, care is
taken that the quality of the yarn wound will meet
the demands placed on it by the finished articles.
Schlafhorst – specialist of yarn winding machines
in the world market for over 50 years – concerns
itself intensely with these manifold requirements
and develops innovative winding technology to
meet them. Decisive for the universal acceptance
of the Autoconer is the fact, that Schlafhorst in its
work places the focus not narrowly on winding,
but, considering winding as an important part and
integral stage of the entire textile production
chain, consistently develops and advances winding
technology with the requirements of, and benefits
for, the entire textile production in mind. Textiletechnological
know-how crucial in this context is
elaborated in cooperation with world-leading
partners in textile machine engineering.
• Kevlar
• Special fibres
• Natural fibre yarns
• Manmade fibre yarns
• Short-staple yarns
• Long-staple yarns
• Ring yarns
• Compact yarns
• SiroSpun yarns
• Hard and soft Core yarns
• High-twist yarns
• Plied yarns
• Fancy (Effect) yarns
• OE-Rotor yarns
• Mule yarns
• Repco yarns
Typical features of the Schlafhorst performance
are: extensive textile- technological expertise,
consequent market and customer orientation, early
recognition of changes in market conditions and
requirements, and excellent customer advice and
training service all over the world. These have
contributed to the world-wide success of the
Autoconer, from the first to the present generation.
Translating this know-how into intelligent winding
machine technology has made Schlafhorst for
decades the innovation leader in the international
arena. This is true of the Autoconer yarn splicing
technology with the modular-design splicer system
and of the quality of the Autoconer yarn packages
due to the innovative FX- series with its efficient
modules Autotense FX, Propack FX, Variopack FX
and Ecopack FX. Thanks to its ingenious modular
concept, the Autoconer offers a convincing universality
which enables the machine to produce
yarn packages optimally suited for any of the textile
production processes downstream of winding.
Autoconer yarn packages for the
downstream production processes.
• Dyeing
• Assembly winding/Twisting
• Beam warping
• Sectional warping
• Weaving
• Warp Knitting
• Weft Knitting

Autoconer yarn packages for dyeing.
In yarn package dyeing, it is important that dye
penetration is uniform and level dyeing is ensured
throughout the package. Success in package dyeing
depends on many factors including material of the
yarn, dyes used, method of dyeing, dyeing apparatus
or dyeing liquor pump. What determines the result,
however, is the even build and structure of the crosswound
package to be dyed. Thanks to the intelligent
control and regulation systems and winding components
of the Autoconer 338, yarn packages can
made to suit the requirements of package dyeing
exactly. The known dyer's adage saying "Well wound
is half dyed" is a measure of the importance of wellstructured
yarn packages for dyeing, and of the
enormous worth of the Schlafhorst winding technology
and contribution in this field.
The required yarn density of dye-packages varies
according to dyeing machine, method of dyeing and
material. Package density in winding is directly influenced
by the parameter “yarn tension”. Thanks to
Autotense FX, the desired package density can be
obtained with precision, as the yarn tension is set at
the Informator as an absolute value. The constant
level of yarn tension ensured by Autotense FX and
the elimination of critical pattern winds on the package
through Propack FX are a guarantee for the
production of Autoconer packages with an extremely
uniform yarn structure and yarn density. Reproducible
uniformity of the package density from package to
package is ensured by centralised setting of the winding
parameters at the Informator. A further factor
contributing to the optimisation of the structure of
dye packages is the lateral yarn layer displacement
on the package, achieved by traverse motion of the
yarn-guide drum. The regulation of the yarn tension
by Autotense FX has the additional advantage of
increasing the average winding speed, which means
higher productivity in the winding of dye packages
on the Autoconer 338.
Whirling the yarn ends for fibre entangling in the
splicing process to achieve spliced joints that are similar
to the yarn is also beneficial for ensuring that in
yarn dyeing the short spliced joints have the same
dyeing property as the yarn, so that visible off-shade
spots in the fabric are avoided.
Dye package density as a function of yarn tension.
Specially for package dyeing of elastic Core yarns
and other elastic yarns, where homogeneous dyeing
is critical because of bulging-out package flanks or
uncontrollable breakdown of the package structure,
Schlafhorst offers as a practicable solution the
closed-loop control system Variopack FX. This system
coordinates the parameters yarn tension and package
contact pressure throughout the build-up of the
package, so that well-structured packages with good
dimensional stability are produced.
Yarn packages produced on the Autoconer 338 are
dyed with excellent results, colouring throughout the
package and from package to package is absolutely
even and the results are reproducible. Thanks
to the optimal package structure achieved with Propack
FX – an essential factor for cost-effective processing
in the production stages downstream of
winding – rewinding of the packages after dyeing for
use in subsequent production processes can be dispensed
with and, depending on the material of the
yarn, the Autoconer packages can be used directly
for the warp or the weft.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Batch
Package density [g/cm3 ] 0.30 0.33 0.36 0.38 0.40
Package contact pressure S S S S S
Autotense FX [cN] 8 14 21 25 30
Autospeed 75% 60% 60% 60% without
Winding speed [m/min] 1,200 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400
Average winding speed [m/min] 890 1,100 1,220 1,275 1,380
Material 100% CO, carded
Yarn count 20 tex (Ne 30, Nm 50)
Drum type 2-pitch sym.
Package format 6”, cylindrical (220 mm)
Wound with lateral yarn layer displacement
Package density
Even package density.
20 winding positions.
Yarn count 42 tex (Ne 14, Nm 24)
Material PES/CV (50/50); 892 T/m
Yarn guide drum, package format 2-pitch asym. 4°20
Yarn tension Autotense FX 15cN (with Autospeed 50%)
Setpoint length 45,000 m
Greatest evenness of package density.
Targeted generation of the package density by yarn tension adjustment.
3
+1.0%
+0.5%
+– 0%
–0.5%
–1.0%

Autoconer packages for Twisting
and Assembly Winding.
4
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The Twisting, process places extremely high and
quite specific demands on the unwinding properties
of the cross-wound yarn packages. This is
true of the twisting process itself and of assembly
winding, a process which in certain cases precedes
twisting. In both processes, 2 yarn packages are
used for feeding the machines and have to be
unwound with equal yarn tension.
Thanks to the Autotense FX Yarn Tension Regulating
System, the Autoconer 338 produces yarn
packages with extremely uniform structure and
density. Central setting of the winding parameters
ensures reproducibility of the winding parameters
for all packages. There are no variations in yarn
tension when the packages are unwound in
twisting or assembly winding. The plied yarns
have an absolutely even structure. >1
The Length Measuring and Full Diameter Computation
System of the Autoconer 338 ensures that
the length of the yarn in the packages produced
is exactly measured and the length is the same in
all packages or the packages are all of the same
diameter. This is a further precondition for the
economical production of high-quality plied yarns.
High-precision yarn length measuring is possible
with the Ecopack FX system (optional extra).
Not infrequently, plied yarns have to be produced
of wool or elastic single yarns. Up to now, yarn
packages of such yarns could not be fed directly
to two-for-one twisting machines, as placing the
packages on top of one another in the supply
creel was impossible because of the bulge-out of
the package flanks. This problem has been solved
with the integrated Variopack FX system on the
Schlafhorst Autoconer. Bulging-out of he package
flanks is reduced to a minimum. Yarn packages
produced with Variopack FX can without problem
be directly fed to two-for-one twisting machines.
The Autoconer 338 produces packages with all
the formats used in twisting, with a yarn-guide
traverse from 4" to 6". Regular and orderly laying
of the yarn onto the package is ensured by the
various types of yarn guide drums. For winding
wool or wool blend yarns intended for twisting,
the use of the Thermosplicer is recommended.
>2
Whether for direct feeding to twisting machines
or for feeding to assembly winders, the Autoconer
yarn packages offer ideal conditions for cost
efficient processing and top-quality results in the
textile production chain.

Autoconer packages for Warping and Weaving.
In sectional and beam warping as well as weaving,
good unwinding performance of the packages for
smooth unwinding of the yarn is decisive for the
achievement of high quality and cost-efficiency.
Packages must allow highest weft insertion speeds
and cope with the enormous alternating stresses
due to changing acceleration on the weaving
machine. Processing a multitude of packages
simultaneously in sectional and beam warping
requires extreme uniformity of the yarn lengths in
the packages from which the yarn is taken. Stoppages
due to yarn breaks or entangled yarns or
yarn layers, or other faults disturbing the warping
or weaving process, cause enormous production
losses. This is why the packages for use in the production
phases downstream of winding are required
to satisfy the following criteria: absolutely uniform
structure and density with large package diameters,
orderly laying of the yarn, safe yarn-like spliced
joints and precisely measured equal length of the
yarn on all packages used in a process.
Thanks to the expertise in winding technology of
Schlafhorst, the Autoconer 338 is optimally
equipped for the production of packages satisfying
all these requirements. The Autotense FX Yarn
Tension Regulating System ensures a constant
level of yarn tension, and hence, uniform package
structure and density. The Propack FX Package
Cradle Anti-patterning System improves the package
structure still further by eliminating critical
patterning zones.
Even at the highest weft insertion speeds, as on
air-jet weaving machines, there is no sloughing-off
of yarn layers. Thanks to Propack FX, the package
diameters are not limited by critical patterning zones
on the package. The yarn is safely and orderly laid
onto the package, even when yarns with critical,
smooth structures are wound, due to the smooth
start-up and acceleration of the package and
precise guiding of the yarn through the yarn-guide
drum grooves.
The modular splicer system of the Autoconer 338
offers splicing options for efficiently splicing all types
of materials and producing spliced joints that
safely withstand the alternating stresses to which
the yarn is subjected on the weaving machine.
In the doffing process, the doffer places the yarn
bottom reserve onto the package tube and lays
the tip tail onto the package, so that the transfer
of the yarn from one package to the next in weaving
presents no problem. The operators can fasten
the yarn ends of the packages together easily and
safely. Highest-precision yarn length measuring
with the Ecopack system guarantees that in
warping all the packages on the warping creel run
out at the same time, thus reducing the amount
of waste yarn significantly.
In warping and in weaving, these performance
characteristics of the Autoconer 338 are a guarantee
for highest levels of cost-efficiency and productivity.
5

Autoconer packages for Knitting.
6
Yarn friction coefficient µ
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
>1
In the knitting process, due to the heavy deflection
of the yarn by the needles within a narrow
space, the yarn is subjected to exceptionally high
stresses. Optimal waxing of the yarn in winding
minimises friction of the yarn on the needles and
deflecting elements. The stress on yarn and needles
in loop formation is significantly reduced.
The profound textile-technological know-how of
Schlafhorst is also evident in the field of yarn waxing.
Extensive tests prove that there is a close interrelation
between yarn tension and the amount
of wax rubbed off the wax roll. The intensity of
waxing must be optimised for every type of yarn
material. Each material has its specific optimal low
friction value only within a narrow zone of the
waxing curve.
As it is possible on the Autoconer 338 with its
automatic yarn tension regulating system to enter
the yarn tension centrally at the Informator as an
absolute value, the optimal yarn tension can be
specified for whatever yarn is wound. The amount
of yarn taken off the wax roll and applied to the
yarn is small. Underwaxing and overwaxing is thus
avoided.
Yet another important advantage of Autotense FX
is, that the amount of wax applied to the yarn is
even throughout the formation of the yarn package,
due to the fact that Autotense FX holds the yarn
tension constant within the spinning bobbin
unwound and from spinning bobbin to spinning
bobbin.
The wax roll monitoring feature integrated into
the waxing device ensures that no unwaxed yarn
can be placed on the cross-wound package. A
signal calls the attention of the operator well in
time before the wax roll runs out. >1
Interrelation of Yarn Tension [cN] and Yarn Friction Coefficient µ.
Minimum quantity of wax
rubbed off the wax roll
0.96g wax/kg yarn.
0.00
15 cN 20 cN 25 cN 30 cN 35 cN 40 cN 45 cN
Yarn tension [cN]
Targeted yarn waxing through yarn tension variation.
For knitters, Autoconer yarn packages offer the
added advantage of excellent unwinding performance
on the knitting machines: tapered packages
with up to 5°57 taper, if required with increasing
taper to 11°, and with large diameters. The bottom
yarn reserve and the tip tail of the package, formed
by the package doffer, are essential for easy handling
and safe yarn transfer at the package change
on the knitting machine. The yarn-like spliced
joints produced by the Autoconer are resistant to
fibre shifting at the deflection points in the knitting
machine.
Trouble-free work with the Autoconer packages in
the textile production processes translates into
high efficiency rates of the equipment and superior
quality of the knitted fabrics.
Yarn material 20tex (Nm 50/1; Ne 30/1) 100% CO, carded
Winding speed 1,200 m/min
Type of wax Reseda Binder green
Yarn tension see diagram

Up-to-date yarn structures –
Optimal winding on the Autoconer 338.
Compact yarns.
In the winding of Compact Yarns, the main requirements
placed on the winding process are maintaining
the specific properties and quality of the
yarn, also in yarn splicing, and the production of
optimally-structured cross-wound packages for
trouble-free unwinding and careful handling of
the yarn in the production processes subsequent
to winding. The focus of the adapted winding
technology is also on maximised resource utilisation
and online process and quality monitoring.
The unique upper-yarn sensor and the suction
system with controlled operating vacuum of the
Autoconer 338 ensure gentle treatment of the
yarn in package winding. Careful handling of the
package surfaces and a minimum amount of yarn
waste are ensured by the low vacuum level, which
can be set to suit the specific characteristics of the
yarn wound, and the short upper-yarn search and
suck-up times. There is no roughening-up of the
yarn by excessive intensity of the sucking action.
>1
Autotense FX and Propack FX ensure uniform
structure of the packages with the least possible
stress on the yarn. Their action is supported by
the package lift-off motion at a yarn break or
clearer cut, yarn guide drum and package being
braked to a standstill separately from one another,
and by the direct, sensor-monitored yarn path
with only slight deviations.
As required for the application, the Autoconer can
splice Compact Yarns either with the Standardsplicer
or the Injectionsplicer. The Thermosplicer is
available for the splicing of Compact Yarns of
wool. With these options, the highest demands
on strength and appearance of the spliced joints
can be efficiently met.
The Ring Spindle Identification System in Autoconer-RSM
linked installations extends online
quality control on the Autoconer right back to the
ring spinning machine. Yarn faults originating in
the ring spindles can be pinpointed and eliminated
at a very early stage. Constant and consistently
high yarn quality is thus ensured. The optional
>2
central Conerpilot data acquisition system supports
online quality monitoring.
The modular architecture of the Autoconer winding
technology for adaptation to any application
allows efficient, cost-effective winding of all shortstaple
and long-staple Compact Yarns spun in the
market.
Elastic Core yarns.
The specific structure and great diversity of the
material of which elastic Core yarns are made
places very high demands on yarn winding, in
particular on the splicing technology, structure
and build of the yarn packages and process
reliability. For the winding of elastic Core yarns,
Schlafhorst offers an optimised winding process
specially adapted to the requirements of elastic
Core yarn winding.
The package format is optimized by Autotense FX,
Propack FX and, in particular measure, by Variopack
FX. To reduce bulging-out of the package
flanks to a minimum, Variopack FX coordinates
yarn tension and package contact pressure
throughout the build-up of the package in such a
way that dimensional stability of the package is
>2
ensured.
For the splicing of elastic Core yarns, Schlafhorst
offers the Elastosplicer, which, through its specially
adapted yarn geometry, additional braking elements
and precisely timed operating cycles, produces
Core-yarn spliced joints of convincing quality.
The splices stand out by their excellent visual
appearance, great strength and high resistance to
>3 >4
alternating stresses.
Software and sensor technology in the Autoconer
338 guarantee reliable, well-coordinated control
sequences. The winding process can be optimised
in such a way that the very best conditions are
created, whatever the specific properties of the
yarn wound are. This is one of the strong points
of the Autoconer 338 in the continuation of the
Autoconer success story.
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FALKE
7
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Schlafhorst
Zweigniederlassung der
Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
Blumenberger Str. 143-145
D-41061 Mönchengladbach
Phone +49 2161 28 0
Fax +49 2161 28 26 45
info@schlafhorst.de
www.schlafhorst.de
P-W-207-01/05, ka, e