Investigation of combing forces: part II: pin forces

A device capableof measuring the forces on a single pin as it combs through prepared fibre fringes has been developed. The average peak values of the ‘pin force’ recorded by this device increased with increase in fringe density, increase in fringe length and decrease in number or gillings. The individual traces of pin force show how the force builds up as the pin penetrates the fringe, dislodges entanglements, breaks fibres and separates the fringe.