How to Determine Thread Count of a Given Fabric by Beesley Balance
Meftaul Ferdous
Lecturer, Dept. of Textile Engineering
Islami Bank Institute of Technology
Email: tex.e.ferdous@gmail.com
Theory:
Yarn count: The yarn count is a numerical expression which defines its fineness or coarseness. It also expresses weather the yarn is thick or thin. A definition is given by the textile institute – “Count is a number which indicates the mass per unit length or the length per unit mass of yarn.”
To determine the thread count or yarn count we use five instruments with wrap reel & analytical balance. Beesley balance is one of them. It is working on the principle of fixed weight and fixed length system
Objectives of Experiment:
- To know about thread count or yarn count.
- To know about template & beesley balance.
- To know how to determine the thread count by template & beesley balance.
Required Instrument:
- Template
- Beesleys Balance
- Knife
- Marking pen
- Needle
Template:
Template is a length measuring instrument which contains eight arms. When a sample has short length (Fabric) which we cannot determine by the wrap reel then we use template by using that we can determine the length.
The following length is used to determine the count:
- Cotton: 4.32 Inch
- ½ cotton: 2.16 Inch
- Linen: 1.543 Inch
- Wool: 1.315 Inch
- Worsted: 2.88 Inch
Beesleys Balance:
Beesleys yarn balance consists of a pillar A which carries a cross beam B, fulcrumed at knife edge at the point G (See figure in above). At one end the cross beam is a hook E upon which the yarn to be tested can be placed. The other end of the beam tappers to a point C. When the beam is in balance, the pointer will coincide with the detum line. The pillar is mounted on the base. The whole instrument is leveled by a leveled screw at one end of the base. The cross has a small notch at the point D to take the counter weight or rider.
Data Collection:
| Sample No | Amount of yarn | Yarn Count | Average Count |
| 01 | 29 | 29 | 30s |
| 02 | 30 | 30 | |
| 03 | 31 | 31 | |
| 04 | 30 | 30 | |
| 05 | 30 | 30 | |
| 06 | 29 | 29 | |
| 07 | 30 | 30 | |
| 08 | 31 | 31 | |
| 09 | 30 | 30 | |
| 10 | 30 | 30 |
Result: The cotton sample fabric warp thread count is 30s
Working Procedure:
- Collect sample by appropriate sampling method.
- This Sample conditioning at testing atmosphere.
- Marked the fabric by using template
- Cut that’s fabric by knife according to the marking.
- The pointer is set directly opposite to the detum line, with no material and counter weight in their proper places, by adjusting the leveling screw. The counter weight for the particular length which is supplied with the instrument is chosen and suspended at the notch D. (For full cotton the large rider is placed in the notch and for ½ cotton small rider is placed)
- Now yarn is withdrawn from sample and placed sample hook until the pointer comes in level with the detum line.
- At that stage the threads are taken out and counted which givers directly the cont of yarn teken for testing.
- There 30 threads in the sample hook at the balanced condition so the count of the yarn is 30s
Precaution:
- We should yarn withdrawn from fabric very carefully.
- Marked fabric very carefully.
Conclusion:
It is the very easy process but if we cannot use template properly according to thread type and idle weight than the result will be faulty.
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
