ENGINEERING AND GINNING Predicting Fiber Quality After Commercial Ginning Based on Fiber Obtained With Laboratory-Scale Gin Stands

For research purposes, it is often necessary to gin small cotton samples on laboratory-scale gin stands (lab gins) to evaluate fiber properties, but because lab gins differ from commercial gin plants, the validity of the results obtained has been questioned. The objective of this research was to compare fiber properties between cotton processed with lab gins and commercial gin stands. Seed cotton was collected at the gin stand feeder apron and lint was collected before and after lint cleaning at seven commercial cotton gin facilities. Each seed-cotton sample was sub-divided for processing with four lab gins includ-ing two from Dennis Manufacturing, one fro