Fabrication of innovative charkha for Linen spinning and its impact

Abstract

Linseed is an important oilseed crops grown in rabi season. Linseed is produced 15 to 20 quintals of stem waste of linseed is produced per hectare which can yield 15 to 20 % good quality fiber. These wastes can be used for extraction of good quality fiber (Linen) for making high valued clothes, canvas, suiting’s, shirting’s and various indispensable products for defense purposes. In this way environment can be made eco-friendly at the same time enhancing the rural economy through small scale industries. Taking these in to account the present proposal is prepared with the objectives to refine developed technology of linen products from linseed stalks and to scale up the technology to promote cloth making from linseed fiber among weavers. Linen yarn is spun from the long fibers found just behind the bark in the multi-layer stem of the Linseed plant (Linum usitatissimum). In order to retrieve the fibers from the plant, the woody stem and the inner pith (called pectin), which holds the fibers together in a clump, must be rotted away. The cellulose fiber from the stem is spinnable and is used in the production of linen thread, cordage, and twine. From linen thread or yarn, fine toweling and dress fabrics may be woven. Linen fabric is a popular choice for warm-weather clothing. It feels cool in the summer but appears crisp and fresh even in hot weather. Household linens truly made of linen become more supple and soft to the touch with use; thus, linen was once the bedsheet of choice.

While the Linseed plant is not difficult to grow, it flourishes best in cool, humid climates and within moist, well-plowed soil. The process for separating the Linseed fibers from the plant's woody stock is laborious and painstaking and must be done in an area where labor is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. It is remarkable that while there is some mechanization to parts of the fiber preparation, some fiber preparation is still done by hand as it has been for centuries. This may be due to the care that must be taken with the fragile Linseed fibers inside the woody stalk, which might be adversely affected by mechanized processing.