u AFIS PRO 2

The fiber process control system

Technical Data

April 2015
 USTER  AFIS PRO 2
®

The fiber process control system

The USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 instrument measures the most important fiber properties for process
control purposes in a spinning mill. These are neps, length, maturity, and trash in cotton
fibers and blends as described under ‘Applications’ below. These are essential measurements
for the spinning mill to optimize its spinning operation based on the raw material purchased.

Elements of the USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 installation

Basic installation 1 Neps/Length/Maturity Module (inside)

2 Balance
3 Printer (Inside)
4 Autojet Module (Optional Module)
5 Operating Unit

Optional Modules – Trash Module

– Autojet Module

Technical Data 2
 USTER  AFIS PRO 2
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The fiber process control system

Basic installation
Overall installation Functions: – Measurement of raw cotton bale fiber, mat, sliver and
roving for properties of neps, length, maturity and trash
– Collection, evaluation and storage of measurement data
– Editor for configuring, viewing, and printing module and
bale data
– Filter functions for quick data retrieval and for the
preparation of long-term reports

Versions: – USTER® AFIS PRO 2 with neps, length, maturity

– USTER® AFIS PRO 2 with neps, length, maturity, AUTOJET
– USTER® AFIS PRO 2 with neps, length, maturity, trash
– USTER® AFIS PRO 2 with neps, length, maturity, trash, AUTOJET

Included in the – Operating unit consisting of:

delivery: – Neps, Length, Maturity Module
– Printer
– Balance
– Application software
– Calibration materials
– Trash Module (Optional)
– USTER ® AUTOJET (Optional)
– Spare Parts Kit (Optional)

Neps, Length, Functions: – Measurement total nep count, total nep meansize, fiber nep
Maturity Module (1 ) count, fiber nep mean size, seedcoat nep count, seed coat
nep mean size by way of Electro-optic Sensor
– Measurement of length values by weight (w): Mean length,
mean length CV  %, short fiber content, upper quartile length
by way of electro-optic sensor
– Measurement of length values by number (n): Mean length,
mean length CV  %, short fiber content, 5  % length by way of
electro-optic sensor
– Measurement of fineness, maturity ratio, immature fiber
content by way of electro-optic sensor

Balance (2 ) Functions: – Used for weighing the sample

Printer (3 ) Minimal – Windows 7 compliant

Configuration: – Some charts may require color printing for clarity of the
information presented
– USB connection for local printing
– Ethernet connected printers are acceptable, but may require
customer provided hardware and installation expertise

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The fiber process control system

Operating unit (5 ) Main equipment: Base Unit containing the Nep, Length, Maturity Module without
the AUTOJET Module.

Computer The USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 software has a menu driven design that
software: allows quick access and selection of testing, setup, calibration,
and data management. These features include:
– Windows 7 operating system with icon-based software
– Simple user interface
– Error messages for troubleshooting
– Network capabilities

Computer Industrial computer system consisting of the following

hardware: components:
– Keyboard with integrated touchpad and mouse
– Monitor
– Balance
– Printer

Optional Modules
Trash (T) Module Functions: – Measurement of total trash count, total trash size, dust count,
dust mean size, trash count, trash mean size, visible foreign
matter by way of Electro-optic Sensor

AUTOJET Functions: – Automatic feeding device for measuring up to 30 samples

automatically, reducing idle operating time

Calibration materials
Standard – One set of calibration materials is included with each instrument shipment
calibration – Calibration materials are provided by USTER for USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 for calibration
materials: of the following parameters:
– length
– maturity
– neps

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The fiber process control system

Additional features
– Safety interlocks to prevent injury from un-authorized entry to the instrument
– Relative humidity and temperature probe
– Easily accessible lint waste box with front access doors
– Computer system easily removed for service
– Industrial brushed stainless steel top and work surfaces
– Integrated air enclosure around balance to eliminate influences of air turbulence
– Password protected operational software
– Complete operator manual included

Application software
Reports Type of reports: – Application reports
– Roller spacing
– Critical nep size
– Control charts
– Control chart individual
– Control chart multiple
– Data reports
– Individual rep histogram
– Summary histogram
– Summary tables

Display and print- – Automatic reports

out of the reports: – Configurable reports

Limit values: – Limits can be set for a specified measured parameter

in the control charts

Technical Data 5
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The fiber process control system

Numerical Neps
output of results
Total nep cnt: Count of all neps in a sample (fiber and seed coat neps)

Total nep mean Average size of all neps (fiber and seed coat neps)
size: counted in microns

Fiber nep cnt: Count of all fiber neps

Fib nep mean size: Average size of all fiber neps in microns

SC nep count Count of all seed coat neps

SC nep mean size: Average size of all seed coat neps in microns

Length

L (w) Average fiber length by weight of all the cotton fibers

in the sample

L (w) CV  % Variation of the fiber length around the average is expressed

as length variation by weight or CV  %

SFC (w) % Percent of all fibers in a cotton sample that are shorter than
12 . 7  mm ( 0 . 5  in.) by weight

UQL (w) % Length by which 25  % of all fibers by weight exceed in a

cotton sample

L (n) Average fiber length by number of all cotton fibers in the

sample

Variation of the fiber length around the average is expressed

as length variation by number or CV  %

SFC (n) % Percent of all fibers in a cotton sample that are shorter
than 12 . 7  mm (0 .5  in.) by number

5  %L (n) Length of the longer 5  % of all fibers in a cotton sample

Maturity

Fineness Calculation of the fineness of the fiber based on shape and

form of the fibers

Maturity ratio Calculation of the maturity based on shape and form and
related to the cell wall thickness or Theta

IFC  % Percentage of all fibers in a cotton sample that have a cell wall
thickness covering less than 25  % of the full area

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The fiber process control system

Numerical output Total trash count: Count of all particles (dust and trash particles)
of results
(Trash Module) Total trash size: Average size of all particles counted (dust and trash particles)

Dust count: Count of all particles less than 500 microns in size

Dust mean size: Average size of all dust particles counted

Trash count: Count of all particles greater than 500 microns in size

Trash mean size: Average size of all trash particles counted

VFM  %: Calculation taking both dust and trash content as well as size
into account; relates to gravimetric trash measurement methods
such as Shirley Analyzer

Statistics Statistical values: Overall measurement protocol with statistical data in the result
columns
– Mean (Average)
– Standard deviation
– Coefficient of variation CV  %
– 99  % confidence range
– Min. value
– Max. value

Data protection Backup: – A 2 nd hard disk (with identical storage capacity) is available
for data and image backup purposes.
– Backup software is provided for the user to create a backup
image of the primary hard disk.

Input of data, Dialog and report English, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese can be
output of results, languages: selected via the operating menu (other languages on request).
languages, units
Possible units: – Length: mm, in
– Short Fiber: 0 .5  in, 12 . 7  mm, 16  mm

Test time: 2 . 5 to 3 . 5 minutes per repetition, variable depending on

operator experience and material type.

Selftest Function check: Comprehensive function check and special test programs can
be initiated at any time via the diagnosis menu.

Technical Data 7
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The fiber process control system

Application range
Naturally (white, cream) colored 100  % cotton samples in the form of bale or opened
and cleaned material (card mat), sliver, and roving. Waste material cannot be tested
on the USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 . Doing so can damage instrument components, and voids
the instrument and component warranty.

Naturally colored, synthetic fibers can only be tested up to a 50 /50  % blend with cotton
fibers in sliver and roving form. Uster Technologies does not guarantee test results on
100  % synthetic fibers. Maximum fiber length: 2 inches (app. 50  mm).

Measurements

– Neps (fiber neps and seed coat neps)

– Length (mean, UQL , 5  %, and short fiber)
– Maturity (fineness, maturity ratio, immature fiber content)
– Trash (Optional) (trash, dust, and visible foreign matter)

Measurements

All measurements are performed optically on individual fibers and particles

(neps and trash).

Nep classification: Fiber and seed coat nep count per gram and size (µ)
distribution.

Length: Fiber length by number and by weight distributions; short fiber

content by number and by weight (%).

Maturity: Maturity, immature fiber content (%) and fineness (mtex)

distribution.

Trash: Dust and trash count per gram and size (µ) distribution;
visible foreign matter content (%).

Technical Data 8
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The fiber process control system

General
General ambient Room climate: According to ISO 139 , the following ambient conditions must
conditions be maintained in the laboratory in order to get repeatable and
comparable test results:
– Temperature: 20 ± 2 ºC; 65 ºF to 72 ºF
– Relative humidity: 65 ± 2 %

For consistent test results, fiber samples should be conditioned

in the laboratory environment with the above-mentioned
ambient conditions for 24 hours. Samples should be laid out
openly in the laboratory, and taken out of plastic bags, in order
for the cotton to fully condition to the environment.

Uster Technologies recommends use of a dedicated conditioning

system for the laboratory to achieve this condition. USTER does
not recommend the use of any spray atomizers as they could
result in damage to the instruments, variability in lab conditioning,
and may cause inconsistent test results. All USTER certified
laboratories use dedicated conditioning systems.

Installation data Power: The following power requirements apply to both North
American and European-type systems.
Voltage (nominal): 208 or 230 volts ±10  % (single phase)
Current: <10 Ampere (dedicated circuit breaker)
Frequency: 50  –  60 Hertz
Harmonic distortion: < 5  %
Wire size: Sufficient to have <5  % drop from
no load to full load
Electrical interference: Free of transient voltages from other
equipment

The USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 requires a separate, dedicated

10 -Ampere circuit breaker at the facility’s electrical load center.
During normal operation the instrument draws approximately
5 Ampere. A power cord for connection is provided with the
USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 . The opposite end must be fitted with
connections compatible with the facility’s electrical system.

Technical Data 9
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The fiber process control system

UPS requirements: If you expect to have frequent power shutdowns, Uster

Technologies recommends that an uninterruptible power supply
(UPS ) device be used to prevent loss of data or other related
problems.

Requirements for computer/monitor

The input for the UPS , which powers the computer and monitor
only, is located on the back of the USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 cabinet
beside the power entry connector. Uster Technologies
recommends the Stabiline Model #SLI 1000 X UPS unit or
equivalent with the following characteristics:
– On-line design for maximum protection against line transients.
– Minimum output power rating of 500 VA (325 Watts) at
230 volts 50 or 60 Hz.
– Input voltage of 195  –  264 volts 50 or 60 Hz (single phase).
– MUST be TÜV certified or bear the CE mark for European
countries and be UL Listed for North America with a run time
of 5 minutes or greater.

Uster Technologies provides an optional UPS Kit

#255 -010 -17420 for the computer/monitor
(if the UPS cannot be purchased locally).

Requirements for Entire Instrument

USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 (with all options):

– SOLA #S42000TRM -5 (or equivalent) for European
power systems.
– SOLA #S41800 -208TRM for North American
power systems or their equivalent minimum 1. 5 KVA .

The UPS for the computer/monitor is not required if UPS for the
entire USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 instrument is used. However, Uster
Technologies does not offer UPS systems to protect the entire
instrument. This type of UPS must be purchased locally. If
assistance is needed with this item, please contact your local
service provider.

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The fiber process control system

Compressed air The air supplied to the instrument should comply with ISO 8573 .
1 quality class 3 as follows:
Dirt particle size: <5 microns
Water pressure dew point: <4 º F @ 100 PSIG
(128 ppm by volume)
Oil (including vapor): <1. 0 ppm
Air pressure: 100  – 150 PSIG ( 700  – 1034 k PA )
Air volume: The instrument requires at least
three SCFM (85 liters/min) supplied
by a 10  mm (3 /8 inch) line.
Laboratory temperature: These specifications are for the
ambient conditions referenced
above. If the airline will be
subjected to temperatures that
could promote condensation, a
water filter attached to the airline
inside the lab is recommended to
remove any condensation that
may occur.

Space required for The USTER ® AFIS PRO  2 is a single cabinet installation. The following is a breakdown of the
the Installation of the instrument dimensions and weight.
USTER® AFIS PRO 2

Dimensions Length Width Height from floor

118 cm (46.5 in.) 76 cm (30 in.) 97.4 cm (38.3 in.)

Gross weight of the Total 185 kg (408 lbs)

basic installation

118  cm

76  cm

Technical Data 11
 09.15/© Copyright 2015 by Uster Technologies AG
Uster Technologies has made all possible efforts to ensure that all information is accurate at
the time of publication. Hereby it is declared that alterations to the product may be possible
at any time. In these cases the information contained in this technical datasheet is subject to
change without notice.
April 2015

USTER Switzerland

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Charlotte, USA Shanghai, China

Coimbatore, India

São Paulo, Brazil

Uster Technologies AG
Sonnenbergstrasse 10
8610 Uster
Switzerland
T. + 41 43 366 36 36
F. + 41 43 366 36 37
sales@uster.com
www.uster.com