Storage and Handling of Spandex Yarn

Storage Conditions For Spandex

Should never see temperature above 40C in shipping or storage. Ideal storage conditions 4C - 27C, 50% - 80% relative humidity. Keep cartons sealed until ready to use. Repack partially used spools in original cartons with trays and reseal for storage. Open cartons and allow to acclimatize in air conditioned production area 24 hours prior to use.

Results of Improper Storage

Too cold storage not a problem as long as allowed to acclimatize to room temperature before use. Too hot storage results in rapid increase of tackiness and sticking on spools. Stress strain properties not changed - only deterioration in runability. Time / Temperature - critical factor:
High temp / long time - very bad. High temp / short time - less bad Moderate temp / long time - less bad

Dorlastan Spool Shelf Life

Maximum time after spinning for best performance:
3 months for hosiery direct knit 10 den - 70 den. 6 months for circular knit 20 den - 70 den. 1 year for 140 den and up. Inventory management very important - Always use FIFO.

Actual shelf life depends on storage conditions:

Cooler storage longer shelf life Warmer storage shorter shelf life

Handling Spandex Spools

Spandex windings easily disturbed by rough handling. Poor runability will result if winding are disturbed by improper handling. Always touch spandex as little as possible and take care not to disturb side of package. Handle with inside of spool and top of package never sides of package.

Spandex Spool Handling Demonstration

Handling in spinning at Bayer:
Doffing from spinning machine Holding spools to apply label Packing out into cartons

Handling at textile mill:

Unpacking from carton Removal of doff band to quickly find yarn end Creeling circular knitting machine Creeling spandex warper

Handling Spools In Spinning

Touch yarn as little as possible. Spool label applied without touching edges of spool Handle spool with fingers on inside of spool and thumb on top of spool in center.

Doffing

Ready to doff

Doffing

Spools ready to label and pack out

Doffing

Spools are handled with a doffing rod to eliminate hand mishaps

Doffing

Doffing Rod

Hands do not touch the yarn during doffing

Doffing

Spools are transferred from the doffing rod to a cart for labeling and packing out

Labeling

Label is applied inside the spool with no overhangs

Labeling
Labeled spool being removed to tray

Labeling

Spools are placed carefully into their packing trays

Packing

Yarn ready to inspect and pack out

Packing
Fingers inside spool and thumb on top of package in center

Yarn being inspected and packed

Unpacking Spools For Use

Lift spool from carton touching yarn as little as possible. Remove doff band to find end quickly:
Doff bands happen when full spool speeds up to break yarn at automatic doff. The small amount of yarn wound tightly and parallel in center of spool must be removed. Waste from doff bands minimal and makes finding yarn end easy.

Upgrade spools which have windings off shoulder for better machine startup.

Unpacking

Doff Band Removal

Tight parallel winding on doff band

Doff Band Removal

Doff band pinched off

Doff Band Removal

End quickly located for threading

Upgrading
Bad spool due to poor handling

Upgrading
Proper hand position and a pinch of yarn yield a good spool upgrade

Creeling

Circular Knit Machine

Creeling

Note hand position

Creeling

Warping

Creeling

Other Handling Precautions

Avoid wearing jewelry which can snag the yarn. Keep nails trimmed and smooth. Wear thin tricot gloves if hands are rough. Keep hands clean from grease and dirt. Handle cartons with care so spools do not slip in trays or fall out of carton.

Snags

Can be caused by jewelry, nails, or improper care

Dirty Spools

Cannot be upgraded because the dirt/grease encompasses outer spool area. Yarn is wasted.

Dropped Spools
Waste - cannot upgrade to full spool

Ends are dented

Carton Handling
Handle cartons with care. Yarn can be damaged if cartons are dropped or thrown.

Summary
Proper storage conditions prolong shelf life and improve runability. Take time to handle the spools with care. A little extra time taken to avoid disturbing the windings can save a huge amount of time lost for machine stops and breaks. Always remove doff bands to find the end more quickly and avoid yarn breaks during startup. If a spool is damaged or dirty, upgrade it if possible. If not possible set it aside. Do not let one bad spool cause poor performance and fabric loss of the entire creel stock.