Improvement of the ginning process in Pakistan with emphasis on the design of gin-saw blades

Cotton is the world`s most widely used textile fiber, the quality of which is extremely critical for successful textile processing. The quality of baled cotton depends on many factors including variety, weather conditions, cultural applications, harvesting and storage practices, moisture, trash content and ginning processes. The problem in ginning of cotton in Pakistan is that while separating lint from seed; the ginning machines damage the cotton fiber as well as seed because of outdated local machinery. In this thesis, the research has been done for modification of the existing ginning process with emphasis on the design and development of gin-saw blade as to improve the spinning characteristics of lint cotton. In the thesis, the research has been done for modification of the existing ginning process with emphasis on the design and development of gin-saw blade as to improve the spinning characteristics of lint cotton. The thesis consists of two basic studies; (a) Questionnaire in existing ginning factories in Turkey and Pakistan, (b) Design, manufacturing and testing of new gin-saw blades on lab scale gin stand in Pakistan. The questionnaire in ginning industry of Pakistan and Turkey was prepared to transfer know-how and technology from Turkey to Pakistani ginneries. One of important outcome was the necessity of new gin saw design. The designed and manufactured gin-saw types were subjected to comparative ginning testing on lab gin stands to study effects of different designs of gin-saws on ginning and lint quality. According to statistical evaluation the best result was obtained at the tooth angle of 24°. Cotton ginning by modified saw is practically possible and is wholly favorable to ginning even on bulk level.