Textiles, Part 11: "Types of Spun Yarn ~Open-End Spun Yarn, MVS~"

Hello

This time, continuing from last time, I'd like to introduce the types of spun yarn.

Last time, I introduced the three currently mainstream types of spun yarn: ring-spun yarn. This time, I'll introduce the remaining two types: air-spun yarn and MVS yarn.

"Air-Spun Yarn"

It is mainly called open-end yarn or open-end yarn (OE yarn).

As the name suggests, spinning is done using the power of air.

In ring spinning machines, roving is twisted into yarn using a ring and traveler, but with air-spun yarn, roving is omitted, and the sliver can be fed directly. The fed sliver is twisted into a single yarn by the power of air vortices.

Its characteristic is that the production efficiency is very high. However, the twist applied to the yarn is not uniform, and a strong twist is applied to the outside. As a result, the surface has a crisp, stiff texture, and the yarn has a fair amount of unevenness and fluffiness. This type of spinning machine is primarily suited for producing thicker yarns and not finer ones, so it coexists with ring spinning machines.

While ring-spun yarn is preferred in Japan, open-end spinning is apparently preferred in the United States.

It was developed in the 20th century, and its introduction to Japan began around the latter half of the 20th century.

"MVS Yarn"

The MVS yarn, which we will introduce next, also uses air pressure to create yarn, similar to open-end spinning, but it uses a special method that makes it distinctly different from ordinary open-end spinning.

It is often simply called MVS.

Now, "MVS" is an abbreviation for "Murata Vortex Spinner."

This spinning machine, developed by Murata Machinery Co., Ltd., is designed so that the ends of all fibers are at the center of the yarn. Similar to open-end yarn, the center of the yarn is nearly untwisted, but the twist becomes stronger towards the outside of the yarn.

It's a bit difficult to explain verbally, so please check out the video on the official Vortex yarn website.

Its key features include minimal fuzzing and resistance to pilling. Furthermore, it boasts excellent strength and is produced by a highly efficient spinning machine capable of handling fine counts.

These three types—the ring-spun yarn mentioned previously and the two types above—are currently the mainstream types of spun yarn.

Other types include the mule spinning machine (a predecessor to the ring spinning machine introduced in the previous article) and the "gara-bo" spinning machine, invented in Japan during the Meiji era.

Gara-bo is still produced domestically in very small quantities and is used for handicraft yarns and towels.

Thank you for reading to the end.

The next article is here ↓