APPLICATION OF POWERED PADDLE ROLL TECHNOLOGY IN A 16-INCH SAW GIN STAND

Powered paddle roll gin stand technology was developed in the Lubbock ginning laboratory on a 12-inch saw gin stand. The research effort was expanded to apply this technology on modern gin stands with the larger diameter saws that make up a large percentage of the commercial gin stands in the U.S. This study gives the results from application on a 16-inch saw gin stand. Several shape and size factors were found to be very important in creating a gin stand design that gave the high efficiency ginning performance previously found in the 12-inch saw platform. Research trials to optimize the relationships of the various parts of the gin stand in the 16-inch saw size resulted in improved preservation of fiber properties and 27 to 37 pounds per bale higher lint yield compared to the conventional 16-inch saw gin stand. The powered roll gin stand was capable of ginning more than 55 percent faster than the conventional gin on wet late season cotton.