Cone Winding
Cone winding is a form of wound yarn in which yarn is cross-wound onto a conical paper tube, making it easier to feed continuously in industrial sewing machines and knitting machines.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Cone winding is a package form in which yarn is wound onto a cone, a frustoconical paper tube. It does not refer to the yarn material itself, spinning method, twist, or count, but to the winding method related to ease of handling during distribution and processing.
By cross-winding the yarn, relatively long lengths can be packed compactly, making it easier to reduce tangling and fluctuations in tension when the yarn is unwound. In sewing factories and similar settings, it is used by mounting the cone directly on a thread stand.
Materials, Twist, and Structure
Various materials are used for cone winding, including polyester, cotton, nylon, rayon, and wool. In addition, spun yarn and filament yarn, single yarn and plied yarn, as well as twist direction and twist strength, are specifications separate from being cone wound.
Even with the same cone winding, sewing thread, serger thread, embroidery thread, and knitting yarn differ in their design for fuzz, elongation, tensile strength, and oils that improve surface slipperiness. Do not judge suitability for use by the package form alone; check the yarn specifications.
How Thickness Is Expressed
The thickness shown on a cone is indicated by count, denier, dtex, or a nominal count depending on the type of yarn. In general, count is often expressed so that the larger the number, the finer the yarn, while for denier and dtex, the larger the number, the thicker the yarn.
For sewing thread, a nominal count may be listed as well, but the count system and display method differ by material and application. When comparing yarns with different labels, it is important to check not only the label name, but also the manufacturer’s standard, the yarn structure, and the actual thickness.
Main Applications
Cone winding is used in situations where yarn is used continuously, such as lockstitching, overlock, and coverstitch in garment sewing, as well as embroidery, knitting, and preparatory processes for woven fabrics. It can accommodate larger package sizes and may reduce the number of yarn changes.
However, the cone size, package size, inner diameter of the paper tube, and winding direction differ by product. Check in advance whether it can be mounted on the thread stand, sewing machine thread guide, or knitting machine yarn feeder you use.
Selection and Sewing Considerations
When selecting, in addition to the cone winding form, check compatibility with the fabric, the strength and stretch needed for the seam, color, thickness, and the needle and sewing speed used. For lightweight fabrics, consider fine yarn that is less likely to damage the fabric; for heavy fabrics or high-stress areas, consider yarn with the necessary tensile strength.
If unwinding resistance is high, the yarn rubs against the thread path, or the height of the thread stand does not match, thread tension can become unstable and may cause puckering or skipped stitches. Before full production, perform trial sewing on the actual machine and target fabric.
- Check the compatibility between the cone’s paper tube inner diameter and the thread stand.
- Check the thickness and material combination of the upper and lower threads.
- Adjust the needle size, needle point shape, and thread tension to match the yarn.
- During storage, avoid direct sunlight, high temperature and humidity, and dust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cone yarn and cone winding mean the same thing?
Cone yarn is a general term referring to yarn wound on a cone. Cone winding, on the other hand, is a term that indicates the winding form of the yarn. Neither directly indicates the material, thickness, twist, or application, so when purchasing or ordering, confirm the yarn type and count as well.
Can cone-wound yarn be used in household sewing machines?
It may be usable, but a thread stand or auxiliary device that can hold the cone securely may be necessary. Since the yarn thickness and surface characteristics may not be suitable for a household sewing machine, confirm the combination of needle, thread tension, and fabric to be sewn with a trial stitch.
What is the difference between cone winding and bobbin winding?
Cone winding is mainly wound on a frustoconical paper tube and is suited to applications that require continuous feed of relatively long yarn lengths. Bobbin winding often refers to a form wound on a small core, and it is used differently depending on the application and machine. It is necessary to check the winding shape and the compatible device.
