Uster Unveils AFIS 6 for Advanced Fiber Process Control

Announced on May 15, 2025, from Uster, Switzerland, the instrument brings a significant upgrade in monitoring and optimizing spinning preparation, delivering precise measurements from bale to roving.

Uster AFIS 6 (Advanced Fiber Information System) empowers textile manufacturers to analyze a wide range of fiber parameters including length, fineness, maturity, neps, seed coat neps, trash, and dust. For the first time, it offers the ability to evaluate 100% synthetic fibers and common blends, in addition to natural cotton, within the same unit. This enhancement reflects the growing role of synthetic materials in short-staple spinning.

Spinners can now ensure optimal quality retention of raw fibers across all major preparation stages—opening, cleaning, carding, combing, and roving. Uster AFIS 6 helps identify fiber issues before they impact yarn quality, minimizing defects and customer complaints while enhancing cost-efficiency and raw material usage.

The intuitive interface, shared with Uster’s other testing systems like Uster Tester 6, supports 11 languages and simplifies the data analysis process. A notable feature is its ability to distinguish between fiber neps and harder-to-remove seed coat neps, including their size—critical information for predicting yarn nep content and managing quality.

For synthetic fibers, AFIS 6 measures attributes such as cut length, denier, and fiber neps—vital for raw material assessment. It is compatible with polyester, viscose, modal, lyocell, and other common synthetics, enabling precision in cotton-synthetic blends and fully synthetic yarn production.

With optional sensors to measure dust and trash particles, the system contributes to smoother downstream processes such as weaving and knitting. Fewer contaminants mean less downtime and longer machine lifespans.

Uster AFIS 6 also integrates seamlessly with Uster Quality Expert, offering a unified view of quality from fiber to yarn via real-time dashboards. The embedded Uster Statistics feature enables global benchmarking across the entire spinning process and individual stages, providing deeper insights for strategic mill decisions.

Ultimately, the Uster AFIS 6 gives spinners complete command over fiber preparation, directly impacting yarn quality and operational profitability. It’s a transformative tool for today’s evolving textile industry where precision and flexibility are key.