This invention relates to design and development of a novel machine for making fine sisal
yarn (continuous thread) from the sisal fibre. This machine can be used for other fibres such
as banana, hemp and other such natural fibres. The present invention provides a: means of
making fine thin sisal yarn from the sisal fibres with the help of a table top machine operated
by a single person particularly used in rural areas with the cost effective investment leading
to rural employment and income generation. This machine is capable of making very fine
yarn (from a combination of2-3 or more sisal fibres) that ca:n be used for making sisal fabric
as a reinforcing material for the manufacturing of the composite materials. This machine can
be used in textile industries.
Background of the Invention
Sisal is one of the renewable natural fibres widely available inmost part of the country and
also being cultivated with least financial inputs and maintenance. Sisal fibre is a hard fibre
extracted from the leaves of the sisal plant (Agave si~alana) which exhibits very high st~ength
amongst other available natural fibres. But, sisal fibre has not yet been effectively exploited
for the value added engineering applications. About 4.5 million tonnes of sisal fibre are
produced every year around the world. Tanzania and Brazil are major sisal fibre producing
countries. A sisal plant produces about 200-250 leaves and each leaf contains 1000-1200
fibre bundles which is composed of 4% fibre, 0.75% cuticle, 8% dry matter and 87.25%
water. Normally, a leaf weighing about 600 gm will yield about 3% by weight of fibre with
each leaf containing about 1000 fibres.
Sisal fibre is traditionally extracted by retting, a biodegradation process involving miCrobial
decomposition of sisal leaves, which separates the fibre from the pith. The fibres are washed
and processed further. The other methods available for the extraction of fibre are chemical
· treatment and mechanical extraction. The mechanical extraction is done with the help of
raspador machine; Sisal fibre consists of 66-72% cellulose, 12% hemicellulose and 10-14%
lignin. The· superior engineering properties (diameter· 50-200Jlm; microfibril angle 10-220,
ultimate tensile strength of 300-640 MPa; modulus of 9.40-15.80 GPa and elongation of 3-
7%) makes it as an excellent material for manufacturing high strength textile and
reinforcement in composites for various engineering applications. Sisal fibre is also used for
the manufacture of ropes for use in marine industry and agriculture. Though the sisal fibre is
better than other natural fibres (including jute, banana, coir, sunhemp) in terms of its strength,·
bright sh.ining colour, it is very hard fibre and exhibits poor crimping properties. No machine
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. ,. is commercially available for making fine quality (below 300 11m diameter) sisal fibre yarn
fot textiles manufacturing. The results show that the tensile strength of sisal fibre (tested at
CSIR-AMPRI Bhopal) varies from 100-700 MPa; tensile modulus is in the range of 9-40
GPa, and elongation at break in the range of 2-14%. It may be noted that the tensile
properties of sisal fibre may not be uniform along its length. The fibres extracted from the
lower part and tip of the leaf may exhibit a lower tensile strength and modulus but a higher
fracture strain. The fibre becomes stronger and. stiffer at mid span. The quality of sisal yam
made from this unique machine claimed in the present invention resulted in 0.370 k tex which
is made out of 2-3 sisal fibres at CSIR-AMPRI Bhopal. Sisal yarn made out in lab scale ·
process at CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal has resulted a tensile strength of= 300 MPa with a tensile
modulus of= 1 0 GPa. The quality of sisal fabric made out of this sisal yarn resulted in 250-
350 GSM quality cloth ahd it is observed thaf the tensile strength of sisal fabric is 50-150
MPa. Yet, no such £inequality sisal yarn and fabric is available commercially to be used as
engineering reinforcing material for manufacturing polymer matrix composites.
US patent no. 3855772 can be referred as an arrangement for producing yarn. In this
invention fibres are doffed from a combing device for supply to a yarn. being produced in
such a way that one end of the fibres is held until the fibre has been integrated into the yarn.
United States Patent 4379386 can be referred as an apparatus for interrupting the sliver
supply in open-end spinning apparatuses with an opening device and also a delivery
apparatus with which is associated a sliver clamp which with the delivery roll continuing to
run can be actuated by a yarn monitor or by a lap monitor. US patent no. 4742675 of
apparatus for producing a uniform, continuous fibre quantity. This invention relates to a
method and an apparatus for producing a uniform, continuous fibre quantity for improving
the uniformity of a yarn made, for example, in an open-end spinning, friction spinning or air
spinning process in which the sliver from which the yarn is to be spun is introduced into a
rapidly rotating opening roller of the spinning machine and wherein the sliver passes through
a clearance defined by a rotating feed roll and a feed table. But these machines can not make
yarn from sisal fibre due to sisal fibre's inherent physical and mechanical properties.
Fully automated sisal yarn making machine are available for making the ropes from the sisal
fibres. These ropes have larger diameter and can not be used for engineering applications.
However, when the fibres are required to be woven into fine yarn then small size machine
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that can be operated by single person is not available commercially to the best of our
knowledge. The larger machines that are available can not produce fine yarn from sisal for
the purpose of composite making. The present invention provides unique solution for making
thin fine yarn from sisal fibre.
Novelty and Functioning of Machine
The present invention deals with the development of a novel machine for making fine thin_
yarn from sisal fibre mainly overcome above described problems. Accordingly, this invention
comprises a table top machine which can be operated by a single person, includes automatic
yarn collection in bobbins, manually operated bobbins for easier arrangement of yarn over
bobbins, arrangement for speed control through gears and an electrical circuit for the
operation of the machine. The machine has the provision of installation over different
heights. the machine is mounted on the rigid stand platform and it holds all the parts thereon. _
The machine has an arrangement of holding a bunch of fibres which will be used for making
the yarn. The machine has an arrangement of variable length adjustment for holding the yarn
over the bobbins. Further, machine has provision of simple removal of bobbins from the
holder after it has been wrapped with the yarn. The fibre samples are mounted between the
three grips for smooth functioning. The first grip is arranged on a rigid cross bar of the
machine frame and two other grips are stationary on another bar at a defined distance from
the first grip and firmly attached at the base of the machine frame. There is moveable
crosshead which rotates the yarn which in turn causes yarn to be wrapped over bobbins. The
movable cross head is attached with the combination of two stepper motor of desired torque
and rpm for uniform motion of machine. It may also have a provision to provide motion by
hand wheel rotations. The details of the machine can be understood by schematic illustration
given in Drawing-1.
·Objects of the Invention
1. The main object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel machine for making the
firie diameter sisal yarn from hard sisal fibre which can further be used for the
development of fine fabric to use as engineering reinforcement.
2. Another object of the present invention is to provide arrangement of continuous fine
sisal yarn development.
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3. Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus with cost effective
solution.
4. Another object of the present invention is to provide combination of two motors with
such a gear ratio which will result in easy twisting of yam without damaging the fibre.
5. Another object of the present invention is to provide automatic yam wrapping
arrangement which will facilitate the faster development of yam.
6. Another object of the. present invention is to provide single person operated machine
with variable height adjustment.
7. Another object of the present invention is to provide load frame structure having fixed
as well as moving motor for yam wrapping.
8. Still another .object of the present invention is to provide a variable speed arrangement
for yam development.
9. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for ·
development of different sizes of yams.
I 0. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for
development of different type of yarns like banana, hemp and such other hard fibres.
11. Still another object of the present invention is to develop small table top apparatus for
yam making.
12. Still another object of the present invention is to provide the desired level of diameter
I size of yam either by manual or automatic control.
13. Still ~nother object of the present invention is to provide the provision of attachment
of different types of grips for different sizes of yarn.
14. Still another object of the present invention is to develop a simple machine for·
rural/urban employment generation and raising the livelihood ofthe rubli people.
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Brief Description of the drawing
Figure 1 shows different parts ofthe machine
1. Base of the frame structure
2. Motor with RPM X
3. Motor with RPM Y
4. Electric control switch
5. Transmission chain length L1
6. Transmission chain length L2
7. Yarn bobbin
8. Yarn wrapping apparatus
9. Shaft
10. Sisal yarn movement control tower
11. Arrangement for shaft movement
12. Vertical support column
13. Mount
14. Sisal yarn
15. Sisal yarn guiding arrangement
16. Shaft control box
17. Chain spindle
18. Rubber pads
Figure 2 shows Agave sisalana plants at CSIR-AMPRI Bhopal
Figure 3 shows of(a) Removal ofPith from the Leaves (b) Dri~d Sisal Fibres (c) Coming of
Sisal Fibres (d) Treated and Processed Sisal Fibres for Making Yarn
Figure 4 shows the Development of Sisal Yarn from Sisal Fibre using Invented Machine
6
~PO DELHI 09-05-2016 17:08
Detailed description of the invention
The machine comprising of rigid load frame structure consists of supporting pillars 12 as
shown in drawing- I, rubber pads for vibration isolation 18 and base frame of the structure 1.
Assembly of motors 2, 3; chain 6, 5, with chain spindle 17, shaft 9 arranged through mount
13 resting on vertical support column 12. Electric control switch 4 supplies the power which
is used to provide the necessary power requirements of the machine and devices attached in
it. Transmission chain 6, 5 are attached to the motors 2, 3 through the gear transmission. The
generated torque from is transferred to shaft 9 by suitable gear ratio for linear movement of
shaft 9. Yarn wrapping arrangement 8 rotates and yarn is wrapped on the yarn bobbin. Sisal
yarn guiding arrangement 15 is used for guiding the yarn to the yarn wrapping arrangement 8
which in turns rotates and rounds the yarn over yarn bobbin 7. The motor 3 has the automatic
arrangement for linear movement 11 for changing the position of yarn bobbin 7. Mount 13
supports the shaft 9 and allows its rotation smoothly. Sisal yarn movement control tower 10
controls the movement of sisal yarn 14 to the yarn wrapping arrangement 8. Shaft control box
16 is used for the control of shaft. Rubber pads 18 do not allows the vibration to be
transferred to the machine and helps in smooth operation. It requires single person and 230 V
50 Hz AC supply for its operation.
Working Example
Sisal with the botanical name Agave sisalana is a species of Agave native to southern Mexico
but widely cultivated and naturalized in many other countries. It yields a stiff fibre used in
making various products. This variety of sisal is planted on barren land at CSIR-Advanced
Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) Bhopal as shown in Fig. 2.
It can be observed from this picture that the plant has grown fully with leaves of average
length about 1.12 m. The average weight of each leaves is found to be 307 gm. The leaves
were cut from these plants and pith is removed using pith removal machine. The moist fibres
are then washed and dried in sun for 90 minutes. These are then treated chemically to
improve their mechanical properties. Fig. 3 shows the step by step procedure for the
preparation of sisal fibres to be used for developing the sisal yarn.
IPG DELKX 09-05-2016
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Then treated and combed bunch of these fibres is used for developing the fine yarn using the
i~vented machine. This first step is to place the treated and combed fibres in the fibre holding
chamber ofthe developed machine and depending upon the desired size of yarn the fibres are
fed into the machine in a bundle of 2 or more. The bundle is passed through the sisal yarn
guiding of the machine and then to control tower and guiding arrangement of the invented
machine. This bundle . is continuo~sly rotated at pre-determined . optimized speed· which. ih
turns depends on the size of the yarn to be developed. After this, the yarn is wrapped over the
yarn bobbin with the help of yarn wrapping arrangement. This process is continued and at the
end the bobbin is removed when it is full of the yarn. Fig. 4 shows the development of sisal
·. yarn using the developed machine.
Specifications Sisal Yarn made out of the Apparatus
./ Diameter of final sisal yarn about 50-300 11in
./ Quality of sisal yarn about 0.370 k tex resulting in250-350 GSM fabric
./ Tensile strength of sisal yarn: 100-300 MPa
./ Tensile modulus of sisal yarn: 5~ I 0 GPa
Summary of the invention:
Accordingly, the present invention provides a machine for making fine thin yarn (continuous
thin thread) from sisal fibres which comprises of a base plate(1), vertical support
columns(12), rubber pad for vibration isolation (18); motors (2) &(3) are connected to
transmission chain (6) & (5) with chain spindle (17) & shaft (9) arranged through mount (13)
resting on vertical support column (12); the said motor (3) has the automatic arrangement for
linear movement · (11) for changing the position of yarn bobbin (7) ; yarn wrapping
arrangement (8) mounted on spindle (9) rotates and yarn is wrapped on the yarn bobbin (7);
sisal yarn guiding arrangement ( 15) is placed in line with the spindle (9) which is used for
guiding the yarn to the yarn wrapping arrangement (8) which in turn rotates and rounds the
yarn over yarn bobbin (7); sisal yarn movement control tower (10) placed in between the yam
guiding arrangement (15) & yarn bobbin (7) used to control the movement of sisal yarn (14)
to the yarn wrapping arrangement (8); electric control switches (4) supplies the power which
is used to provide the necessary power requirements of the machine; shaft control box (16)
connected to the shaft is used for the control of shaft.
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In an embodiment the present invention provides a novel machine for making the fine
diameter sisal yarn.
In an embodiment present invention provides arrangement of continuous sisal yarn
development.
In an embodiment present invention provides simple, portable, cost effective machine.
In an embodiment present invention provides provide combination oftwo motors with such a
gear ratio which will result in easy twisting of yarn without any damage to yarn.
In an embodiment present invention provides automatic yarn wrapping arrangement which
will facilitate the faster development of yarn.
In an embodiment present invention provides to provide single person operated machine.
In an embodiment present invention provides a variable speed arrangement for yarn
development.
In an embodiment present invention provides a mechanism for development of different
diameters/sizes of yarns.
In an embodiment present invention provides a mechanism for development of different type
of natural fibres/ vegetable fibres yarns like banana, hemp and such other fibres.
In an embodiment present invention provides a small table top apparatus for yarn making.
In an embodiment present invention provides desired level of diameter/size of yarn either by
manual or automatic controlled.
In an embodiment present invention provides attachment of different types of grips for
different sizes of yarn.
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IPO DELHI 09-05-2016 17:08
In an embodiment present invention provides an arrangement of yarn wrapping over
bobbins.
In an embodiment present invention provides a simple machine capable of raising the
livelihood ofthe rural people
The novelty and inventive steps of the novel machine for developing yarn from different
fibres resides in the design of machine that include automatic arrangement for development
of different diameters/sizes of yarn where in machine can be operated under different
/varying speed/RPM under controlled condition by single person.
Advantages of the Invention
1. A unique and novel table top machine that can make very fine thin yarn which can be
used for fabric /cloth for wide range of engineering applications.
2. An efficient portable, cost effective and simple arrangement controlled by single
person under normal environmental conditions.
3. This invention provides altogether a new system for making fine thin yarn from
different vegetables fibres especially sisal fibre in particular.
4. The quality of sisal yarn is about 0.370 k tex which is made out of 2-3 sisal fibres at
CSIR-AMPRI Bhopal. Sisal yarn made out in lab scale process at CSIR-AMPRI,
Bhopal has resulted in a tensile strength of about I 00-300 MPa with a tensile modulus
of about 5-l 0 GPa. We have made 250-350 GSM quality cloth from this sisal yarn
and it is observed that the tensile strength of sisal fabric is 50-150 MPa.

A machine for making fine thin yarn (continuous thin thread) from sisal fibres which
comprises of
a base plate( 1 ), . vertical support columns( 12), rubber pad for vibration isolation ( 18);
motors (2) &(3) are connected to transmission chain (6) & (5) with chain spindle (17)
& shaft (9) arranged through mount (13) resting on vertical support column (12); the
said motor (3) has the automatic arrangement for linear movement (11) for changing
the position of yarn bobbin (7) ; yarn wrapping arrangement (8) mounted on spindle
(9) rotates and yarn is wrapped on the yarn bobbin (7); sisal yarn guiding arrangement ·
( 15) is placed in line with the spindle (9) which is. used for guiding the yarn to the
yarn wrapping arrangement (8) which in turn rotates and rounds the yarn over yarn
bobbin (7); sisal yarn movement control tower (1 0) placed in between. the yarn
guiding arrangement ( 15) & yarn bobbin (7) used to control the movement of sisal
yarn (14) to the yarn wrapping arrangement (8); electric control switches (4) supplies
the power;which is used to provide the necessary power requirements of the machine;
shaft control box ( 16) connected to the shaft is used for the control of shaft.
2, A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein combination of variable RPM motor rotates
the shaft at a desired speed and rotates the yarn wrapping arrangement which in turn
wraps the yarn to the bobbins.
3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein very fine thin yarn can be developed from
different other vegetable fibres such as banana, hemp etc.
4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further capable of developing the yarn which is
suitable. for making the cloths /fabric as an engineering reinforcing materials for
manufacturing of natural fibres composites.
5. A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base frame is made Of non-reactive
material without degrading yarn quality.
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6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, provides development of different diameters/ sizes
of yarn in the range 50- 300 through controlled arrangement of shaft speed and yarn
control tower.
7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, provides arrangement of using two or more
combination of different sizes of sisal fibres.
8. A machine as claimed in claim 1, provides manual control over the diameter/ size of
yarn.