Camera-based measurement of textile card web density

A new process is being developed to significantly shorten the current process sequence of short-staple yam manufacturing. Measuring carded web density is critically important in this new process. Typical technologies that might be used to measure card web density rely on significant density in order to have enough absorption of radiation to work properly. However, the card web has a very low density (about 13 g/m(2)) that provides very little absorption. In the absence of an inexpensive method for measuring card webs, the research discussed in this paper attempts to determine Whether a digital image processing system can be used to measure card web density. The system consists of a camera focused on the web, illuminated by a light source. A good linear correlation is found between the reflected light from a section of card web and the weight of, that section.