Page 69 - Industrial Cutting of Textile Materials

56 Industrial Cutting of Textile Materials

Fig. 5.17 Transportation of two fabric plies simultaneously.

5.4 Disadvantages of the manual spreading process

The spreading speed and quality is largely dependent on the skills and experience of
the workers performing the process. Spreading operators have a heavy load during the
working day, and fatigue may influence both spreading speed and quality. Two oper-
ators are involved in the manual spreading process, whereas the automated process
requires only one.

5.5 Equipment for manual spreading

The equipment used in the manual spreading process is simple and comparatively
cheap. The main component is a spreading table. Special lay-end cutters and movable
fabric feeders may be used to increase the productivity of the process. Several other
small auxiliary instruments, such as large base irons, pins, and clamps may be used
in the process.

5.5.1 The spreading table
The spreading process is carried out on tables with a smooth and hard surface. The
widths of spreading tables are variable (120, 170, 185, 200, 220, and 240 cm). The height
is adjustable (85–95 cm). The length of the table is formed by fixing together separate
table sections (the length of each section is 100–150 cm) (see Fig. 5.18). Spreading tables
may have also a lower shelf for fabric rolls. Special pin tables may be used to improve
spreading process of fabrics with intricate patterns (see Section 15.3.1.1).