Skip to content
TextileTuts
  • Fabric
  • Dyeing & Printing
  • GarmentsExpand
    • Dimensional Stability
    • Stained Clothes
  • Fibers & Yarns
  • Technical Textile
YouTube Facebook Pinterest Linkedin Twitter
YouTube 6KFacebook 2.5KLinkedin 343Pinterest 158Twitter 136
TextileTuts
Yarn Manufacturing & Processing

Yarn Winding: Soft Winding and Hard Winding Machines

ByAnik Yusuf
FADIS Soft Winder FI

Before we get started, we would suggest you to read our previous post covering the basics of yarn winding technologies. If you have read that, then you already know there are 3 types of winding technologies –

  1. Non-precision/ Drum Winding
  2. Precision Winding
  3. Digicone/ Hybrid/ Conotronic Winding

In general, non-precision winding is mainly used in the hard winding section, and the precision and hybrid winding are used in the winding section.

Let’s get started with soft winding machines first.

Different Parts and Yarn Path Diagram of Soft Winding Machine

Among all the soft winding machine that are available in the market today, SSM and FADIS are the most dominant ones. They have some very similar features and some not so similar ones. We’ll go one by one. Let’s start with the Swiss one first; the SSM.

Yarn Path Diagram of SSM TW2W Soft Winding Machine

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide (Pig-tail Type)

SSM TW2W Yarn Guide Stage 1

Stage – 2:Feeder (Rotating)

SSM TW2W Feeder Rotating Stage 2

Stage – 3: Disc Tensioner

SSM TW2W Disc Tensioner Stage 3

Stage – 4: Knot Catcher

SSM TW2W Knot Catcher Stage 4

Stage – 5: Moving Guide (Gives Traverse Motion)

SSM TW2W Moving Guide Stage 5

Winding Arrangement of SSM TW2W

Winding Arrangement of Soft Winding Machine
  • When the package holder is engaged, the package is indirectly driven.
  • This type of driving system is also called “Friction Drive”.
  • The traverse motion is given by the moving guide.

Yarn Path Diagram of SSM PS6W Soft Winding Machine

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide

SSM PS6 W Stage 1

Stage – 2: Feeder (Rotating)

SSM PS6 W Stage 2

Stage – 3: Disc Tensioner

SSM PS6 W Stage 3

Stage – 4: Knot Catcher

SSM PS6 W Stage 4

Stage – 5: Sensor (Yarn Breakage Detector)

SSM PS6 W Stage 5

Stage – 6: Rotating Blade

SSM PS6 W Stage 6

Winding Arrangement of SSM PS6W

Winding Arrangement of SSM Soft Winder
  • The package is driven directly by a motor.
Directly Driven Package Spindle
Directly Driven Package Spindle
  • The traversing motion is given by rotating/propeller blades.

Traversing Mechanism (Left) & Propeller Blades (Right) of SSM PS6-W

Traversing Mechanism of SSM Soft Winding Machine

Balloon Control Guide/ Balloon Breaker of PS6-W (2011)

  • There are two models of PS6-W: One which came out in 2007 (PS6-W) & the other one came out in 2011 (PS6 Plus-W).
  • PS6-W (2007) model don’t have balloon control guide, but the PS6 Plus-W has it.
Balloon Breaker of SSM PS6-W
Balloon Controlling Arrangement
  • If the space between the package & guide is too long then the diameter of the balloon would be higher which will lead to higher hydrodynamic drag (friction between air & the yarn). This can lead to yarn breakage.
  • Here the guide can descend & ascend according to the balloon diameter. It works as a Balloon Breaker.
Balloon Formation
Balloon Formation

Yarn Path Diagram of FADIS P300 Soft Winding Machine

This Italy based machine has some unique features. We’ll discuss them one by one. But first, let’s take go over its yarn path.

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide (Closed Type)

FADIS P300 Stage 1

Stage – 2:Feeder (Rotating)

FADIS P300 Stage 2

Stage – 3: Yarn Guide

FADIS P300 Stage 3

Stage – 4:Spring Tensioner 

FADIS P300 Stage 4

Stage – 5: Yarn Guide (Pig-tail Type)

FADIS P300 Stage 5

Stage – 6:Yarn Clearer & Tensioner

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 6

Stage – 7: Sensor (Detection of Yarn Breakage)

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 7

Stage – 8:Yarn Guide (Open Type)

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 7

Stage – 9: Moving Guide

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 9

Unique Yarn Clearer and Tensioner of FADIS Soft Winder

I think you’ve already noticed from the above yarn path diagram that this one’s yarn clearer and tensioner looks different. And yes it is! We’ve talked about the tension setting of winders in a separate post if you’re interested. Let’s take a look at how these two mechanisms work in this single unit.

1. Yarn Clearing

Yarn Clearer of FADIS Soft Winder
Yarn Clearing Mechanism

2. Yarn Tensioning

Yarn Tensioner of FADIS Soft Winder
Yarn Tensioning Mechanism (Behind the Disc)

Winding Arrangement of FADIS P300

Winding Arrangement of FADIS P300
  • One spindle gets directly driven by the motor & the other one gets the drive through a shaft connected to the motor.
Transmission of Power to Adjacent Spindle
  • A moving guide gives the traverse motion. Again, the guide is connected to the adjacent guide by a toothed belt.
  • It is possible to make rounder packages which leads to better dyeing performance. The traverse is relatively shorter so package to package gap is higher.
Loaded Carrier Holding Packages of SSM Left FADIS right Machine
Loaded Carrier Holding Packages of SSM (Left) & FADIS (right) Machine

Well, that marks the end of our lesson on the soft winding machines. Now, we’ll glance over the hard winding machines.

Different Parts and Yarn Path Diagram of Hard Winding Machine

We already know that the hard winding machines have winding systems which work on Random Winding principal that has the following properties –

Properties of Non-precsion/ Drum Winding

  • The winding angle remains constant.
  • As the diameter of the package increases, number of coils per turn of the package decreases. So, the package is softer at the outer layers.
Random Wound Package
Random Wound Package
  • When the winding ratio becomes a whole number/integer, the yarn is laid over the yarn wound in the previous traverse, resulting in the formation of a “ribbon”.

An ideal Hard Winding machine should have the following features –

  • Anti-patterning device
  • Weight release mechanism
  • Length measuring device
  • Balloon breakers
  • Yarn tension controlling system

Yarn Path Diagram of SSM CW2-W Hard Winding Machine

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide (Pig-tail Type)

SSM CW2 W Stage 1

Stage – 2: Disc Tensioner (Hand Adjustable)

SSM CW2 W Stage 2

Stage – 3: Waxing Unit

SSM CW2 W Stage 3

Stage – 4: Knot Catcher

SSM CW2 W Stage 4

Stage – 5: Sensor

SSM CW2 W Stage 5

Stage – 6: Winding Drum (Grooved)

SSM CW2 W Stage 6

Yarn Path Diagram of SSM CW8-W Hard Winding Machine

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide (Pig-tail Type)

SSM CW8W Stage 1

Stage – 2: Disc Tensioner (Hand Adjustable)

SSM CW8W Stage 2

Stage – 3: Waxing Unit (Rotating)

SSM CW8W Stage 3

Stage – 4: Knot Catcher

SSM CW8W Stage 4

Stage – 5: Sensor

SSM CW8W Stage 5

Stage – 6: Winding Drum (Grooved)

SSM CW8W Stage 6

Winding Arrangement of SSM CW2-W & CW8-W

Winding Arrangement of SSM CW2 W CW8 W
  • Here the package is indirectly driven by the surface contact a rotating grooved drum.
  • The traverse motion is given by the grooving of the drum.
  • The grooved angle is fixed so only “Random Winding” is possible.
  • As the diameter of the package increases, number of coils per turn of the package decreases. So, the package is softer at the outer layers.

Yarn Path Diagram of FADIS P300

Stage – 1: Yarn Guide (Closed Type)

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 1

Stage – 2:Feeder (Rotating) 

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 2

Stage – 3: Yarn Guide

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 3

Stage – 4: Spring Tensioner 

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 4

Stage – 5: Yarn Guide (Pig-tail Type)

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 5

Stage – 6:Yarn Clearer and Tensioner 

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 6

Stage – 7: Sensor (Detection of Yarn Breakage)

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 7

Stage – 8:Waxing Unit (Rotating)

Lubrication Unit

Stage – 9: Moving Guide

FADIS P300 Hard Winder Stage 9

Winding Arrangement of FADIS P300

Winding Arrangement of FADIS P300 Hard Winder
  • The winding arrangement is very similar to that of the soft winding machine. The only difference lies in the fed bobbin which is conical.

Differences in Waxing Units of Hard Winding Machines

You might have noticed from the diagrams that the waxing units look different. That’s because their mechanisms differ as well.

1. Waxing Unit of SSM CW2-W Hard Winding Machine

Waxing Unit of SSM CW2W
  • As we can see from the above figure, the waxes are pressurized by dead weights.
  • The weights are changeable but its time consuming.

2. Waxing Unit of SSM CW8-W Hard Winding Machine

There are two variations of CW8-W. The older one (2011) has the following arrangement –

Variable Loading in CW8-W Waxing Unit
Variable Loading in CW8-W Waxing Unit.
  • As we can see from the above figure, the loading can be varied easily.

The newest one (2016) has the following arrangement –

Spring Pressured Waxing Unit of SSM
Spring Pressured Waxing Unit of SSM
  • As we can see the pressure is applied by a spring. To increase the pressure more wax can be inserted.
  • This unit has a major advantage over other units which is lower wax wastage.
Wax Wastage in the Lubrication Unit of Different Hard Winding Machines
Sharp Edges Causing Wax Wastage (a & b). Lower Wax Wastage in the Newest CW8-W(c).

3. Waxing Unit of FADIS P300 Hard Winding Machine

Waxing Unit Left Presser with Dead Weight Right of FADIS P300
Waxing Unit (Left) & Presser with Dead Weight (Right) of FADIS P300
  • Here the pressure is applied by dead weight which is fixed.
  • As the presser is made out of plastic & the edges are relatively flat wax wastage is lower.

Sampling Device of Hard Winding Machine

Among the two brands, the SSM CW8-W(2016) model had a sampling device, which comes very handy.

Sampling Device of New SSM CW8 W2016
Sampling Device of New SSM CW8-W(2016)
  • The newest SSM CW8-W(2016) & CW2-W has sampling device. When engaged the yarn will wind on the extreme edge of the package, which will facilitate the sampling process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can we use hard winding machines as soft winding?

Technically, you can after certain modifications, starting with the bobbin holder. The waxing unit needs to go as well. But it’s not worth the trouble because patterning will be unavoidable. So, you won’t get the desired dyeing result that you would want. Also, there’s not much benefit in terms of production speed either.

2. What is the winding ratio of a drum winding machine?

It’s very simple to measure. All you have to do is measure the no. of coil that’s formed by its double traverse. Initially, the winding ratio would double the amount of coil that’s grooved on the drum. But as the diameter of the package increases, you’d see a fall in winding ratio.

3. Why can we make pineapple package with FADIS but not with SSM?

Well, it has got to do with the traverse length. FADIS lets us change the traverse length gradually. As the traverse length decreases the package becomes rounder. The moving guide facilitates this process.
Unfortunately, the SSM machines don’t come with traverse length changing features. The rotating blade system isn’t ideal for traverse length variations during package build-ups.

Well, that’s it for now. If you’re interested to find the best yarn ball winder, do give our other article a read. I hope after reading this article you have a thorough understanding of the similarities and the differences between the machines of these two giant brands.

REFERENCES

  1. Cross Winding of Yarn Packages
  2. Suitable Traverse Ratios for Step Precision Winding
  3. Textile Sizing – Bhuvenesh C. Goswami, ‎Rajesh D. Anandjiwala, ‎David Hall
Anik Yusuf

I‘m Anik. I have a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering, which means I know everything there is to know about making clothes. (Kidding!)

I worked as a full-time engineer at a composite knit factory for a while before quitting to start my own website, textiletuts.com.

My Profiles
LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Dye Colour Mixing Chart with Dye Mixing Formula
NextContinue
Winding Speed Calculation and Package Density Measurements

Related Posts

  • Yarn Count Calculator and Converter
    Yarn Count Calculator and Converter
  • Best Yarn for Placemats
    The Best Yarn For Placemats | Top 5 Picks
  • Best Yarn for Slippers
    Best Yarns for Crocheting Slippers – No Shrinkage, Guaranteed!
  • How to Make a Wooden Yarn Ball Winder
    How to Make a Wooden Yarn Ball Winder
  • BEST EMBROIDERY THREAD FOR BROTHER PE770
    5 Best Embroidery Thread for Brother PE770
  • ASHFORD KIWI 3 SPINNING WHEEL REVIEW
    Ashford Kiwi 3 Spinning Wheel Review ­– Is It the Best Beginner Spinning Wheel?
  • YARN TYPES
    Yarn Types : What Type of Yarn Suits Your Needs
  • BEST YARN WINDER
    6 Best Yarn Ball Winder in 2023
  • Yarn Count
    Yarn Count | Different Counting Systems
  • Acrylic Yarn
    How to Find Yarn Count
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • SITEMAP
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • IMAGE CREDIT

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

TextileTuts.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

  • +880 9638331133
  • JL Tower, Muktijoddha Sharak, Narayanganj, Bangladesh

© Copyright 2023 | TextileTuts

Scroll to top
  • Fabric
  • Dyeing & Printing
  • Garments
    • Dimensional Stability
    • Stained Clothes
  • Fibers & Yarns
  • Technical Textile