Dynamic Imaging
Optical analysis of suspended particles in a moving fluid stream provides rapid, high-resolution data on material dimensions. Many quality control labs use flow cell microscopy to image thousands of individual cotton or synthetic fibres as they pass through a narrow viewing chamber. This automated method replaces manual slide preparation.
Fibre Assessment
Fibre length distributions are measured by capturing sequential images of the raw material suspended in a liquid medium. Applying flow cell microscopy to the sample enables the processing software to measure length, curl and kink without the risk of overlapping fibres that occurs on dry slides. The resulting data helps the mill predict the yarn strength before spinning starts.
Liquid Transport
Fluid delivery systems must maintain a steady laminar flow to prevent the fibres from turning sideways in front of the lens. The liquid carrier used in flow cell microscopy must have a refractive index that contrasts sharply with the fibre material to ensure crisp boundary detection. This mechanical setup allows the software to calculate cross-sectional dimensions with high precision.
Production Control
Finishing mills rely on this automated testing to monitor the fibrillation of lyocell fibres during enzymic treatments. By evaluating the presence of tiny micro-fibres in the process water, the laboratory can stop the treatment at the exact moment the desired fabric softness is reached, avoiding excessive chemical damage to the yarn structure. This real-time feedback ensures that the delicate surface of the fabric is processed uniformly, which prevents the yarn from weakening and reduces the rate of customer returns for pilling.
