Process optimization in cotton fiber mixturers using response surface and designes

ABSTRACT Msc THESIS PROCESS OPTIMIZATION IN COTTON FIBER MIXTURERS USING " RESPONSE SURFACES AND DESİGNES *? AYSUNSAGBAŞ DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF ÇOKURO VA Supervisor: Yrd. Doç. Dr. Rızvan EROL Year. 1997, Pages: 120 Jury Yrd. Doç. Dr. Rızvan EROL Prof. Dr. Alaettin SABANCI Yrd. Doç. Dr. Funda YILDIRIM Primary raw material in yarn production is cotton and it has the largest share (60-70%) in the total cost of yarn. The aim of this study is to determine the optimum mixture rates of various cotton types so that the raw material cost is minimized. While achieving this aim, we have to make sure that certain quality parameters are set to the world-wide accepted standards based on the relationships between the fiber properties and the quality parameters of yarn. In this study, three cotton types grown in three cities in Ege region, namely Manisa, Aydm, and Söke are tested for their fiber properties prior to simulated production on the USTER Quickspin machine. A systematic experimental design procedure is used to determine the mixture rates of the fibers at which experiments would be run. Simplex centroid design with axial points and multiple replications is the most appropriate design for this study. All calculations are performed on software packages such as DesignExpert, GINO and Statistica. Key Words: Fiber and yarn quality relationships, Process optimization, Mixture Experiments. II