Wool Metrology – Instruments to Measure Wool Properties

METR-400 Instruments to Measure Wool Properties
The subject of Wool Metrology covers all aspects of wool measurement or metrology and its effect on the marketing of Australian wool. It introduces the concept of objective measurement and explains in detail the procedures and measurements involved to objectively specify the Australian clip. The value of measurement to the industry is outlined. This subject is closely linked to the subjects Wool Technology and Wool Marketing and should supplement many topics introduced in the Wool Production subject.
A brief overview of the features and principles of the intruments involved in the measurement of raw wool characteristics is provided. Instruments such as Airflow, Laserscan and OFDA are featured. For information regarding the style instrument see the topic “The Measurement of Style Characteristics” found in the theme “Latest Developments in Wool Metrology”.

You can download all presentations for each Topic as PPT presentations within a compressed archive (.ZIP) using the link provided for each Topic. You can preview the PPT presentation for each Module in PDF format using the link provided for each Module. The PDF does not include the notes.
METR-400-100 Fibre Diameter Instrumentation
This topic looks at the instruments used today to measure the mean fibre diameter of wool. The features and principles of each are examined.
METR-400-100-100 Instruments to measure fibre diameter
There are four instruments that are currently used to measure fibre diameter:

  • Projection Microscope
  • Airflow
  • Sirolan Laserscan
  • Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA)

This module is a brief look at each of these instruments used today to measure fibre diameter. The features and principles of each instrument are examined, and the factors which affect their operation are also discussed.

A more comprehensive description of all the technologies that have been used to measure fibre diameter is available in the following reference.
Reference Fundamentals of Fibre Fineness Measurement
METR-400-100-200 Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser: Measurement of Fibre Diameter
This modules examines the measurement of fibre diameter by the Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA). The components of the OFDA measurement system are explained and the measurement of fibre diameter discussed.
METR-400-200 Fibre Curvature
Fibre curvature is one of the main components of crimp. This topic addresses the measurement of fibre curvature.
METR-400-200-200 Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser: Fibre Curve Measurement
Fibre curvature is one of the main components of crimp. Researchers have had promising results using fibre curvature measurements to predict crimp, spinning ability and wool bulk. This modules discusses the measurement of fibre diameter curvature as measured by the Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA).

The Sirolan-Lasercan also measures fibre curvature and is much more commonly used for this purpose than the OFDA. However, both instruments measurements must be calibrated because the preparations systems used affect the physical fibre curvature.
References Laserscan Fibre Measurement
Measuring Fibre Curvature – Key Issues
METR-400-300 Medullation
The measurement of fibre medullation is described.
METR-400-300-200 Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser: Measurement of medullation
This module examines the measurement of fibre medullation or opacity by the Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA). For information on the components of the OFDA measurement system see the module “Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser: Measurement of Fibre Diameter”.

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