The carding process targets the fiber layer (licker-in carding), fiber bundles (flat carding), and pseudo-neps within the fibers (cylinder and flat carding). Adjacent carding teeth in a carding machine are arranged in a crisscrossing or parallel configuration. The relative movement between the teeth occurs in different directions, interacting and generating impact, friction, and carding forces on the fibers. These forces penetrate and break down the fiber bundles into individual fibers, dissolving neps. Excessive or insufficient force will affect the carding teeth’s ability to grasp, card, release, and transfer fibers, leading to an increase in short linters and neps.
