USTER®

HVI SPECTRUM
Measuring principles
 Test Report

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 2
Measurements on cotton:
• Length, uniformity
• Micronaire
• Strength
• Color
• Trash

NEW on USTER® HVI SPECTRUM:

• Maturity Index
• Short Fiber Index
• Moisture
Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 3
Length & Strength Measurement

LED

Comb Fiber Beard

Breaker Jaws

Home
Position

Breaker Jaws

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 4
 Development of a fibrogram

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 5
Mean Length -
Principle of Measurement
Developed from the fibrogram

Length

Mean length
ML

0% 100%
Tangent from
origin

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 6
Upper Half Mean Length -
Principle of Measurement
Developed from the fibrogram
Length

Upper half
mean length
UHML

0% 50% 100%

Tangent from
50% amount

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 7
 Comparison
Mean Length - Upper Half Mean Length

Length

Upper half
mean length
Mean length

0% 50% 100%

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 8
 Staple diagram

Fiber length

0% 50% 100%

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 9
 Comparison Fibrogram - Staple Diagram

Fibrogram Staple Diagram

• non end-aligned • end-aligned
diagram of the fiber diagram of the fiber
length length
• calculated from a • distribution curve
randomly taken fiber (histogram) of all
bundle which is fiber lengths
fixed in a measuring
grip

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 10
 Explanation to the length

1 inch = staple class 32  32:32 =1

1 1/16 inch = staple class 34  34:32 =1

1/16

1 1/2 inch = staple class 48  48:32 = 1 1/2

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 11
Relationship Between Staple Class
and HVI UHML Results
Inches UHM [inches] UHM [mm] Code

below 13/16 < 0.79 < 20.1 24

13/16 0.80 - 0.85 20.1 - 21.6 26
7/8 0.86 - 0.89 21.8 - 22.6 28
29/32 0.90 - 0.92 22.9 - 23.4 29
15/16 0.93 - 0.95 23.6 - 24.1 30

31/32 0.96 - 0.98 24.4 - 24.9 31

1 0.99 - 1.01 25.1 - 25.8 32
1 1/32 1.02 - 1.04 25.9 - 26.4 33
1 1/16 1.05 - 1.07 26.7 - 27.2 34
1 3/32 1.08 - 1.10 27.4 - 27.9 35

1 1/8 1.11 - 1.13 28.2 - 28.7 36

1 5/32 1.14 - 1.17 29.0 - 29.7 37
1 3/16 1.18 - 1.20 30.0 - 30.5 38
1 7/32 1.21 - 1.23 30.7 - 31.2 39
1 1/4 1.24 - 1.26 31.5 - 32.0 40

1 9/32 1.27 - 1.29 32.3 - 32.8 41

1 5/16 1.30 - 1.32 33.0 - 33.5 42
1 11/32 1.33 - 1.35 33.8 - 34.3 43
1 3/8 > 1.38 > 35.0 44

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 12
 Uniformity Index

Indication of the distribution of fiber length

within the fibrogram  fiber length variation

Uniformity Index UI = ML x 100

UHML

ML = Mean Length
UHML = Upper Half Mean Length

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 13
 Length Uniformity - Evaluation criteria

Uniformity Index
Description
ML/UHML
77 & lower very low

77 – 79 low

80 – 82 average

83 – 85 high

85 & higher very high

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 14
 Short Fiber Index SFI
An indication of the amount of fibers that are less than
0.5 inch (12.7 mm) in length.

Short Fiber Index Description

Below 6 very low

6 to 9 low

10 to 13 average

14 to 17 high

18 and higher very high

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 15
 Short Fiber Index SFI
Calculated with a proven algorithm

Fiber length
(mm/inch)

Short fiber content SFC (%)

L½"
12.7 mm
Frequency (%)

x%
0% 25% 50% 100%

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 16
Length & Strength Measurement

Cotton Fiber Structure - genetically caused weak places

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 17
 Bundle Fiber Strength -
Principle of Measurement
• The bundle strength is the breaking strength of the
cotton fibers in grams per tex. The fineness is calculated
from the Micronaire value.
• The fiber beard is broken at a continuous deformation
rate and with a 1/8-inch distance between the clamps.
• With the space of 1/8-inch, the fibers will break at their weakest
spot, not at a predetermined breaking-point (clamp).

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 18
 Bundle Fiber Strength - Evaluation

Description Pressley 1/8" Stelometer 1/8" HVI 1/8"*

g/tex g/tex g/tex
very low 21 & lower 17 & lower 21 & lower
low 21 – 23 17 – 19 22 - 24
average 24 – 26 20 – 22 25 – 27
high 27 – 29 23 – 25 28 – 30
very high 30 & higher 26 & higher 31 & higher

* Calibrated to HVI calibration cottons

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 19
Bundle Fiber Strength - Evaluation

Strength (gram/tex) Description

Less than 21 very weak

22 to 24 weak

25 to 27 medium

28 to 30 strong

31 and higher very strong

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 20
Elongation Measurement

• Measurement of the elastic behavior of the fibers in

the bundle
• The distance the fibers extend before they break is
expressed as percent elongation

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 21
 Determination of the elongation

Clamp

Clamp

l
= x 100
l0

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 22
 Elongation Measurement - Evaluation

Elongation (%) Description

Less than 5.0 very low

5.1 to 5.8 low

5.9 to 6.7 average

6.8 to 7.6 high

7.7 and higher very high

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 23
Micronaire Measurement

Pressure Measuring
change chamber
measuring with fibers
device

Air measuring device

Airflow

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 24
Micronaire Measurement

Air flow

coarse fibers, fine fibers,

low air resistance high air resistance
(high Micronaire value) (low Micronaire value)

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 25
Micronaire Measurement

• A fiber sample of constant weight is

measured by passing air through the
fibers and measuring the drop in
pressure.

• Maturity has an influence on

micronaire results.

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 26
 Micronaire - Influences

• Genetic factors of the cotton, which have an

influence on the diameter of the fiber. For
example Pima cotton has a lower micronaire
value than Upland cotton.

• Environmental influences, e.g. soil, fertilizer,

humidity and temperature, duration of
growing period

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 27
Micronaire - Consequences
Low Micronaire High Micronaire
• Can tend to the • Mostly mature and
formation of neps in yarn strong fibers
and fabric • Limits the yarn count
• If they are mature, they • Fine yarns cannot be
are fine and strong spun.
• If they are immature,
they are weak
• Immature fibers absorb
less dye and can lead to
problems in dyeing
(shiny neps)

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 28
 Micronaire - Evaluation

Micronaire Description

Less than 3.0 very fine

3.0 to 3.6 fine

3.7 to 4.7 medium

4.8 to 5.9 coarse

6.0 and higher very coarse

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 29
 Maturity Index

• The maturity index is a relative value calculated

from the HVI measurements of
- micronaire
- strength
- elongation

• Indicates the degree of cell wall thickness

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 30
Maturity Index - Evaluation

Maturity Index Description

Below 0.7 uncommon

0.70 to 0.85 immature

0.86 to 1.00 mature

above 1.00 very mature

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 31
Micronaire & Maturity- Evaluation

smaller than 3.0 = very fine

small perimeter and mature or large
perimeter and very immature

3.1 to 3.9 = fine

different degrees of maturity and/or
types, but often little mature

4.0 to 4.9 = average

medium degree of maturity

5.0 to 5.9 = coarse

large perimeter, mostly immature

greater than 6.0 = very coarse

mature fibers

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 32
Micronaire & Maturity
Medium Micronaire & High Micronaire &
“fairly mature” “well mature”

Low Micronaire & Medium Micronaire &

“fairly mature” “less mature”
Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 33
 Color & Trash Measurement

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 34
 Color Range of Cotton

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 35
 HVI Color
Grades
for
Upland
Cotton

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 36
 HVI Color
Grades
for
Upland
Cotton

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 37
 HVI Color
Grades
for
Pima
Cotton

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 38
 Color Grade Symbols Code Leaf Code
White
Good Middling GM 11 1
Strict Middling SM 21 2
Middling Mid 31 3
U.S. Upland Strict Low Middling
Low Middling
SLM
LM
41
51
4
5
Strict Good Ordinary SGO 61 6
Cotton Good Ordinary GO 71 7
Light Spotted
Standard Good Middling
Strict Middling
GM Lt Sp
SM Lt Sp
12
22
1
2
Description Middling
Strict Low Middling
Mid Lt Sp
SLM Lt Sp
32
42
3
4
Low Middling LM Lt Sp 52 5
for Color Strict Good Ordinary SGO Lt Sp 62 6
Spotted
and Leaf Good Middling
Strict Middling
GM Sp
SM Sp
13
23
1
2
Middling Mid Sp 33 3
Strict Low Middling SLM Sp 43 4
Low Middling LM Sp 53 5
Strict Good Ordinary SGO Sp 63 6
Tinged
Strict Middling SM Tg 24 2
Middling Mid Tg 34 3
Strict Low Middling SLM Tg 44 4
Low Middling LM Tg 54 5
Yellow Stained
Strict Middling SM YS 25 2
Middling Mid YS 35 3
Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 39
Color Measurement
The color is defined by the Reflectance (Rd) and
the Yellowness (+b) of the cotton fibers:

• Reflectance (Rd):
This value expresses the whiteness of the light
that is reflected by the cotton fibers. It corresponds
to the Nickerson/Hunter color chart.
• Yellowness (+b):
This value expresses the yellowness of the light
that is reflected by the cotton fibers. It corresponds
to the Nickerson/Hunter color chart.
• The Color Grade (CG) results from these two
values.

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 40
 Trash Measurement

Video image
analysis
results in:
 Trash
% Area
(covered)
 Trash
(Particle)
Count

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 41
Trash Measurement
• Trash Count (TC)
Sample is illuminated from underneath the glass
window, and a black and white CCD camera
analyzes the changes in the pixels. A trash particle
is counted, if it exceeds the grayness threshold set
in the camera.

• Trash Area (TA)

The area that is covered by a trash particle. The
result is expressed in relation to the entire
measuring area of the glass window and is
expressed as “% Area”.
Resulting from the TA, the Trash Code (T) is
determined.
Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 42
 Relationship of Trash Measurement to
Classer’s Leaf Grade*
Classer‘s Trash
Leaf Grade Measurement
(% area)

1 <= 0.08
2 <= 0.12
3 <= 0.18
4 <= 0.34
5 <= 0.55
6 <= 0.86
7 <= 1.56
8 > 1.56

* 1999 USDA crop data (4 year average)

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 43
 Automated Moisture Measurement

 Moisture is the amount (%) of water that is

present in the sample being tested.
 Patented resistance moisture sensor
 Direct measurement
 Sensor located underneath color/ trash hand
 Consistent pressure ensures repeatable
moisture results
 No customer calibration required

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 44
 Moisture - Evaluation

Moisture Content % Description

< 4% very low

4 – 6% low

6 – 8% medium

8 – 11% high

> 11% very high

Edas/schulungsunterlagen/HVI SPECTRUM 45