The document discusses the High Volume Instrument (HVI) machine, which provides automated fiber testing to determine cotton quality. It can test up to 180 samples per hour with only 2 operators. The HVI measures key fiber properties like micronaire, length, strength and trash content. Major manufacturers of HVI machines include Uster Technologies and Premier Evolvics. The Uster HVI 1000 is a commonly used model that can test 700 samples in an 8-hour shift. It measures 10 different fiber quality parameters and has various components like a balance, barcode reader and computer.

1. 1
Introduction:
The testing of fibres was always of importance to the spinner. It is done
by the HVI machine. High volume instrument systems are based on the fibre bundle
strength testing, ie, many fibres are checked at the same time and their average
values determined. Traditional testing using micronaire, pressley, stelometre, and
fibro graph are designed to determine average value for a large number of fibres, the
so called fibre bundle tests. In HVI, the bundle testing method is automated. Here,
the time for testing is less and so the number of samples that could be processed is
increased, quite considerably. The influence of operator is reduced.
The HVI testing is attractive due to the classing of cotton and the laying
down of a mix in the spinning mill. This HVI testing is suitable for the extensive
quality control of all the bales processed in a spinning mill. The mill is in a position to
determine its own quality level within a certain operating range. The time for testing
per sample is 0.3 minutes. It is best applied to instituting optimum condition for raw
material. About 180 samples per hour can be tested and that too with only 2
operators.[1]
Objects:
Conventionally measurement of the fibre properties was mainly carried
out using manual method and it included the maximum chance of getting errors
involved in it due to manual errors and was also a time consuming job. Thus there
was a need for development of an instrument capable of measuring all properties in
minimum time for better cotton classification.
Manufacturers of HVI :
In total, there are five companies manufacturing rapid instrument
testing machines in the world,
1. Uster Technologies, Inc.,
2. Premier Evolvics Pvt. Ltd.,
3. Lintronics (China, Mainland)
4. Changing Technologies (China, Mainland)
5. Statex Engineering (India).
High volume instrument (HVI) is the most common rapid instrument testing machine
made by Uster Technologies, Inc. The only other company that has over 100
machines installed in the world, mostly in Asia, is Premier Evolvics Pvt. Ltd. based in
India. It is estimated that close to 2,000 rapid instruments testing machines have
already been stalled in the world, mostly from Uster Technologies, Inc. Not only do
the machines from each company differ, but various models from each company

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also differ among themselves. The full fledge models of both the manufacturers are
capable of measuring measure micronaire, length, length uniformity, strength, colour,
trash, maturity, sugar content etc. [1]
Principle of HVI :
High volume instrument systems are based on the fibre bundle testing,
i.e., many fibres are checked at the same time and their average values determined.
Traditional testing using micronaire, pressley, stelometre, and fibro graph are
designed to determine average value for a large number of fibres, the so called fibre
bundle tests. In HVI, the bundle testing method is automated.[1]
High Volume Instrument
Stelometer:
Stelometer is used to check for the possible adverse effects of certain fibre preparation methods
and to ensure that the dyeing process does not harm the fibres. Fibre strength & elongation
determine the “toughness” of a fibre: only a strong fibre can produce a strong yarn, and fibre that
elongates under tension imparts a stretching quality to the finished fabric. So a measure of these
two fibre characteristics is important to the yarn spinning industry. Since fibre strength &
elongation helps to determine the quality of yarn and finished fabric, purchasers of fibre use the
stelometer to measure two characteristics to ensure the quality of the fibre being bought.
Researchers use stelometer strength and elongation measurements in their effort to develop
stronger and more resilient cotton and animal fibres And man-made fibre producers use the
same measurements as a part of their production and quality control procedures.
Procedure :
Operators can be proficient in the use of the stelometer after only a few tests. Take a sample of
fibres with a hand comb and then, without touching the fibres, use the sample clip to extract a
specimen. Fasten the specimen in a stelometer clamp, which is held in a special vise. A torsion
spring in the vise ensures uniform tightening of the fibre clamp. After placing the clamp in the
stelometer, release the trigger to start the pendulum, which causes the force and elongation
indicators to move across the scales. Take the readings when the indicators stop at the time of
break, the breaking force is read, directly from a scale calibrated from 2 to 7 kilograms. The
elongation measurement is read from a scale calibrated from 0 to 50%. The instrument
compensates for frame distortion effects on elongation and for breaking-force overshoot when
light samples are broken at high load rates.
To calculate the tenacity or strength, multiply the ratio of the breaking force to the fibre mass by
sample length. The recommended procedures for use of the stelometer are published by the
American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM D 1445, “Breaking strength and Elongation of
Cotton Fibres (Flat Bundle Method).” And ASTM D 2524, “Breaking Tenacity of Wool Fibres, Flat
Bundle Method – 1/8 in Gauge Length.
Thus Stelometer simultaneously measures strength and elongation for a sample of fibres. With
these measurements, the quality of fibres can be checked during purchase and production, and
adverse effects in preparation stages can be kept to a minimum.

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Specifications :
 Range : 2 to 7 Kg (force-breaking strength), 0 to 50% (elongation)
 Loading Rate : 1 Kg. force/sec
 Type : Table Top
 Size : 350 mm W x 400 mm H x 150 mm D
 Weight : 15 Kgs approx.[5]
Uster HVI 1000
HVI 1000 is a high volume instrument which is produced by world
famous USTER company. It is commonly known as USTER HVI 1000. The USTER®
HVI 1000 measures the most important cotton fiber properties for cotton classing
purposes (and high-throughput requirements for spinning mills). USTER® HVI 1000
is the global reference tool for cotton classification, producing accurate and reliable
results. USTER® HVI 1000 is founded on more than 60 years of fiber testing
expertise and over 30 years of cotton classing experience worldwide.[2]
Features of HVI 1000:
1.It measures all the important quality parameters currently used by textile industries
such as Micronaire, fiber length, length uniformity, strength, color, and trash.
2.Additional information on short fibers, cotton maturity and sample moisture content
are also evaluated.
3.700 samples can be tested per 8-hour shift.[2]

4. 4
Function of HVI 1000:
A lot of works are determined by HVI 1000. These are point out below:
1. Length,
2. Uniformity,
3. Short fiber index,
4. Micronaire Value,
5. Maturity index,
6. Strength,
7. Elongation,
8. Color and trash, and
9. Moisture content.[2]
Components of HVI 1000:
1. Balance
2. Barcode Reader
3. Computer
4. Monitor,
5. Keyboard
6. Printer and
7. Printer table.[2]
Figuer

5. 5
Uster HVI 1000
Application of USTER HVI 1000:
100% cotton samples in the form of bale or opened and cleaned material (card mat).
Measurements :
1. Micronaire
2. Maturity Index
3. UHML – Upper Half Mean Length
4. UI – Uniformity Index
5. SFI – Short Fiber Index
6. Fiber Strength in g/Tex
7. Elongation
8. Moisture Content
9. Color (Reflectance Rd, Yellowness +b) & Color Grade (USDA Upland, Pima,
or regional customized color chart)
10. Trash (% Area, Trash Count) & Trash Grade (USDA)
11. SCI (Spinning Consistency Index)
[2]
ART 2-high volume fiber tester premier
Fully automatic High volume fibre tester with speeds upto 140 tests per hour with
one operator

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Modules to measure Length, Strength, Micronaire, Colour and Optical or Gravimetric
Trash measurement as additional option. Modular configuration with facility to have
an additional Length and Strength module
Automatic Micronaire measurement, weighment, disposal and precise engineering
calibration
Automatic Moisture measurement ensures accurate strength values without the
impact of environmental conditions
BaleSMART: A user friendly software which simplifies the Bale Management process
T
rue Maturity: A unique method of measurement which is traceable to image analysis
values.[4]
Application of HVI:[3]
HVI Used in Bale Management System:
This is based on the categorising of cotton bales according to their fibre
quality characteristics. It includes the measurement of the fiber characteristics with

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reference to each individual bale, separation of bales into classes and lying down of
balanced bale mixes based on these classes. The reason for undertaking this work
lies in the fact that there is sometimes a considerable variation in the fibre
characteristics from one bale to another, even within the same delivery. This
variation will result in the yarn quality variation if the bales are mixed in an
uncontrolled manner.
Strength and Elongation
HVI uses the “Constant rate of elongation” principle while testing the
fibre sample. The available conventional methods of strength measurement are slow
and are not compatible to be used with the HVI. The main hindering factor is the
measurement of weight of the test specimen, which is necessary to estimate the
tenacity of the sample.
Fiber Fineness:
Fibre fineness is normally expressed as a micronaire value (microgram
per inch). It is measured by relating airflow resistance to the specific surface of fibres
and maturity ration is calculated using a sophisticated algorithm based on several
HVI™ measurements.[1]
Moisture
Moisture content of the cotton sample at the time of testing, using
conductive moisture probe and the main principle involved in the measurement is
based on the measurement of the dielectric constant of a material
Trash Content:
Particle Count, % Surface Area Covered by Trash, Trash Code
.Measured optically by utilizing a digital camera, and converted to USDA trash
grades or customized regional trash standards
Maturity and Stickiness:
Calculated using a sophisticated algorithm based on several HVI™
measurements.
Merits of HVI Testing:
1. The results are practically independent of the operator.
2. The results are based on large volume samples, and are therefore more
significant.
3. The time for testing per sample is 0.3 minutes. The respective fibre data are
immediately available.
4. About 180 samples per hour can be tested and that too with only 2 operators.
5. The data are clearly arranged in summarised reports.
6. They make possible the best utilisation of raw material data.
7. It is best applied to instituting optimum condition for raw material.
8. Problems as a result of fibre material can be predicted, and corrective
measures instituted before such problems can occur.

8. 8
9. The classing of cotton and the laying down of a mix in the spinning mill. This
HVI testing is suitable for the extensive quality control of all the bales
processed in a spinning mill.
10. The mill is in a position to determine its own quality level within a certain
operating range.[1]
Standardized Process for HVI Testing:
[1]
Conclusion
The above discussion gives an idea about main latest fibre testing
techniques using HVI ,this concludes that one can achieve higher accuracy with
least time in this system. Fibre testing is an important part in the final product, so it is
clear one can achieve great quality with accurate testing techniques, which were
discussed in this paper. Apart from this, various methods are also included which will
give proper results in fibre testing.

9. 9
Reference:
1.http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/10/concept-of-high-volume-instrument-hvi_14.html
2. https://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2012/10/hvi-1000-features-of-uster-hvi-1000.html
3. http://textile00074.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-is-high-volume-instrument-hvi.html
4. http://www.premier-1.com/products.html
5. http://www.ikonindustries.co.in/textile-testing-instruments/fibre-testing-
instruments/stelometer/
THE END