Numerical study on the effect of nozzle pressure and yarn delivery speed on the fiber motion in the nozzle of Murata vortex spinning

Murata vortex spinning (MVS) is a recently developed spinning technology which utilizes high speed swirling airflow to insert twist into the yarn. The motional characteristics of the flexible fibers in the airflow inside the MVS nozzle are of vital importance to the yarn formation mechanism and properties. The fiber motion in the MVS nozzle involves fluid–structure interaction (FSI) and contact problems. In this paper, a two-dimensional FSI model combined with the fiber–wall contact is introduced to simulate a single fiber moving in the airflow inside the MVS nozzle. The model is solved using a finite element code ADINA. Based on the model, the motional characteristics of the fiber are analyzed and the effect of two process parameters – the nozzle pressure and yarn delivery speed – on the fiber motion and, in turn, the yarn tenacity is discussed. The results indicate that the fiber firstly undergoes a false-twisting process. Subsequently, its trailing end splays out and whirls within the nozzle chamber for several turns to helically wrap and make the spun yarn. The results also show that the effect of the nozzle pressure on the tenacity of the produced MVS yarn is not obvious. The increased yarn delivery speed leads to the decreased MVS yarn tenacity. The numerical results show good agreement with the experimental results provided by other researchers.