Controlled Elastane Feed for Air Covered Yarns
TSP Controlled Elastane Feed (CEF) attachments provide precise elastane draft control for Air Covered Yarn (ACY) production. Designed for integration with textile machinery, the system helps manufacturers produce consistent stretch yarns while reducing waste from yarn breaks and elastane run out.
What Is Air Covered Yarn?
Air Covered Yarn (ACY) combines elastane, also known as spandex, with textured continuous filament yarn using compressed air. The covering yarn is typically polyester or nylon, producing a yarn that combines elastic recovery, strength and comfort.
How Controlled Elastane Feed Works
Precise Draft Control
The speed difference between the CEF feed roller and the machine’s second delivery roller determines the elastane draft, supporting repeatable stretch performance.
Driven Elastane Supply
A line shaft feed roller positively drives the elastane bobbin to maintain stable feeding and reduce tension fluctuations.
Pneumatic Engagement
A pneumatic mechanism engages the elastane bobbin with the feed roller at start up and disengages it when required during operation.
Low Tension Yarn Path
Rotating elastane guides reduce tension where the yarn changes direction, helping protect the yarn and reduce contact wear.
Yarn Break Protection and Waste Reduction
The CEF system is interfaced with the machine’s yarn sensor and cutter to coordinate the response to a yarn break or elastane run out.
Base Yarn Break
The machine cutter activates and a signal disengages the elastane bobbin from its drive, stopping further elastane feeding.
Elastane Break or Run Out
The CEF sensor signals the pneumatic system to disengage the elastane bobbin and activate the cutter to stop the base yarn supply.
Waste Reduction
Coordinated cutting and disengagement help prevent continued feeding of elastane or base yarn after a break.
Key Benefits
Yarn Consistency
Consistent elastane draft supports uniform yarn denier and repeatable power stretch.
Production Stability
Controlled feeding and integrated yarn break protection support reliable operation at industrial production speeds.
Compact Construction
A robust, compact system designed for straightforward integration and low maintenance requirements.
Value Added Production
Expand the capability of existing machinery to produce ACY yarns while reducing material waste.
Machine Compatibility and Installation
Texturing Machines
Designed for OEM texturing machines processing polyester, nylon or polypropylene yarns. TSP reviews compatibility with the machine model and existing controls.
Standalone Modules
Available for coning and rewinding machines with overfeed rollers.
Retrofit Installation
Installation can be completed within days, depending on the machine configuration, preparation and integration requirements.
Proven Installations
Barmag FK6 900M and Murata 33H.
Typical ACY Applications
Clothing and Hosiery
Hosiery, socks, activewear, sportswear, fashion apparel and seamless underwear.
Woven Fabrics
Stretch woven fabrics, including denim weft yarns.
Circular Knitting
Small and large diameter circular knitting applications.
Specialist Textiles
Medical and technical textiles.
Example Production Case
Base Yarn
300 denier polyester.
Elastane Supply
70 denier elastane, drafted to achieve 5% elastane content in the finished yarn.
End Use
Denim weft yarn.
TSP Engineering Support
TSP combines decades of textile machinery experience with practical ACY production knowledge. Our engineering team supports machine compatibility checks, retrofit planning and process optimisation, with a focus on yarn consistency, waste reduction and reliable operation.
Controlled Yarn Feeding
Feed arrangements selected for the yarn and required processing effect.
Machine Integration
Review drives, mounting and yarn path requirements for the existing machine.
Technical Support
Support with configuration, settings and yarn development trials.