The advantages of using the Brooksbank Combi Type 3 Synthetic Combing Apron over Polyurethane combing aprons

1. The Combi Type 3 has a softer & more accommodating structure than any polyurethane apron. This allows the Combi to conform to the fluting of the drawing off rollers. This results in an extremely efficient drawing off of the sliver, leading to maximum yield & throughput being obtained as well as the Top being of the highest quality.

2. Better fibre cohesion is achieved on the surface of the Combi apron, ensuring the fibres remain more parallel than when using a polyurethane apron. With the polyurethane apron there is a tendency for some of the fibres near the edge of the apron to float above the surface of the apron leading to a more uneven straightness of fibres within the Top.

3. The soft structure of the Combi apron also helps protect the natural crimp within the wool.

4. Combi aprons are easier to compress than polyurethane aprons. Even with increased pressure on the drawing off cylinder polyurethane aprons exhibit poorer drawing off & the long non drawn off fibres are taken by the circular comb & end in the noil. By using Combi aprons fewer long fibres end in the noil, therefore the yield is higher & the wastage less.

5. Combi aprons operate efficiently at much lower combing machine tension & pressure settings than polyurethane aprons. The Combi operates best at the minimum tension settings (as adjusted on either side of the apron) & a lower pressure setting on the drawing off roller of 85mm as opposed to 80mm with a polyurethane apron. (see 'Operating suggestions for the Brooksbank Combi apron')

6. Because a standard Combi (640 x 530) weighs 696gms as opposed to 1191gms for an average polyurethane apron the same size, shipping costs will be less.

7. Being absorbent, Combi aprons also absorb any excess combing oils/lubricants & dirt which might otherwise contaminate the wool Top. With a polyurethane apron this excess material sometimes has to be cleaned off the surface of the apron manually.

8. Combi aprons are also considerably less noisy in operation on the combing machine than polyurethane aprons.

N.B. Because of all the above factors & because Combi will give a long & productive life if set up & run correctly on the machine (** see Brooksbank operating suggestions for Combi) Both N. Schlumberger & Sant Andrea both recommend Combi Type 3 Synthetic Combing Aprons for use on their new machines the 'ERA' & 'Millennium'. NSC & Sant' Andrea do not recommend using polyurethane aprons.