Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #117287
Title: GINNING RIB MODIFICATIONS TO REDUCE SEEDCOAT FRAGMENTS

Author
item Hughs, Sidney

Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2001
Publication Date: 1/20/2002
Citation: Hughs, S.E. Ginning rib modifications to reduce seedcoat fragments. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 2002. v. 18(1). p. 13-16.

Interpretive Summary: Research was done on the design of the saw gin stand to reduce damage to cotton seed and to reduce seed loss. Currently, each gin saw runs between two shaped metal strips known as ribs. These ribs work in conjunction with the gin saws to guide seed cotton to a point where the fiber is pulled off the seed. The spacing between each saw and its adjacent ribs is supposedly designed to allow fiber to pass but to retain the seed. New, high-yielding varieties have smaller seed that can be pulled through the gap between the gin saws and ribs. Guides made from high density plastic were attached to each rib. These guides decreased the rib-to-saw gap and kept the saws from wobbling or deflecting during the ginning process. These guides significantly reduced seed damage, increased gin turnout, and yielded longer fiber. Additional tests will be done using these guides with different tooth design to see if further quality benefits can be achieved.

Technical Abstract: Seed loss and seedcoat-fragment generation and contamination of ginned lint during the ginning process can be a problem with newer, small-seeded cotton varieties. Excessive seed loss means a loss of a valuable gin product. Also, seedcoats in ginned fiber cause textile quality problems during the spinning and weaving processes. Tests were conducted to determine if a new design for holding gin saws in the middle of the ginning rib gaps would reduce seed damage and seedcoat- fragment generation. Results indicated that the experimental saw guides significantly reduced seed damage. The guides also gave significantly higher quality yarn for the experimental design. Other benefits of the guides included a higher gin turnout and longer fiber. Additional tests will be conducted to further improve and understand the somewhat complex interaction of gin saws, saw guides, and cottonseed at the ginning point.