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Cotton Testing Procedures

Cotton Testing Procedures. Cotton Testing Procedures. Production & Modules. Cotton Testing Procedures. Production & Modules. Cotton Testing Procedures. Cotton Gin. Cotton Testing Procedures. Samples are drawn from each bale at gins and warehouses licensed by USDA

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Cotton Testing Procedures

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  1. Cotton Testing Procedures

  2. Cotton Testing Procedures Production & Modules

  3. Cotton Testing Procedures Production & Modules

  4. Cotton Testing Procedures Cotton Gin

  5. Cotton Testing Procedures • Samples are drawn from each bale at gins and warehouses licensed by USDA • Samples from each bale consist of two portion, one portion cut from each side of the bale • Samples are cut from space between wires or ties of bale Bale Sampling

  6. Cotton Testing Procedures Bale Sampling

  7. Cotton Testing Procedures • Each portion is approximately 154 mm wide and 305 mm long • Each portion must weigh 114 grams for a total sample weight of 228 grams • A Permanent Bale Identification coupon is placed between the two portions of the sample Bale Sampling

  8. Cotton Testing Procedures Bale Sampling

  9. Cotton Testing Procedures • The sample is placed immediately in a sample sack which is provided by USDA • The samples are transported to USDA Classing Offices by carriers contracted by USDA Bale Sampling

  10. Cotton Testing Procedures • Licensed samplers are under the supervision of USDA • USDA employees perform random sampling inspections at all gins and warehouses that are licensed to sample cotton to ensure sampling procedures are followed • Samplers that do not comply with established procedures are subject to the loss of sampling privileges Bale Sampling

  11. Cotton Testing Procedures Receiving Samples

  12. Cotton Testing Procedures Traying Samples

  13. Cotton Testing Procedures • Sample Conditioning: • USDA requirement: • 21°±1° C and 65%±2% RH • 6.75% - 8.25% moisture content (dry basis) • Methods: Passive (48 hour) or Rapid Conditioning (10 – 15 minutes) Rapid Conditioning Passive Conditioning

  14. Cotton Testing Procedures Moisture checking • 6.75% - 8.25% moisture content (dry basis)

  15. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Testing

  16. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Fiber Property Measurements: • Micronaire – fineness of fibers • Strength – grams per tex • Length – upper half mean length • Length Uniformity – uniformity of fiber lengths • Trash – percent area non-lint • Rd – degree of brightness • +b – degree of color • Official Color Grade

  17. Cotton Testing Procedures Instrument Fiber Property Measurements: • Micronaire – single test • Strength, length, length uniformity – two comb test • Rd, +b, trash – four image test

  18. Cotton Testing Procedures Manual Classer Determinations: • Official Leaf grade • determined in accordance with the Universal Grade Standards • Extraneous Matter

  19. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training • All USDA employees receive standardized training including: • HVI Operators • HVI Supervisors • HVI Technicians

  20. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators • All new HVI operators must complete a two week training program • The training program covers the established procedures for instrument calibration and operation • New HVI operators must demonstrate their ability to perform all tasks and meet certain volume requirement

  21. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, First Week • Training program orientation • Instrument orientation • Instrument calibration • Reference level checks • Instrument operation • Evaluation/examination

  22. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Evaluation • HVI operators must demonstrate their ability to complete tasks associated with the operation of the instrument • Their abilities are documented on a HVI Skills Evaluation Checklist which must be certified by the HVI operator, HVI Supervisor, and Area Director

  23. Cotton Testing Procedures

  24. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Examination • HVI Operators will operate instrument in a production setting and must test an established number of samples

  25. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Second Week • Continue the operation of instruments to demonstrate proficiency of operations • Supervisors closely monitor HVI operator performance and provide additional training, if needed

  26. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Operators, Examination • HVI Operators will operate instrument during second week in a production setting and must test an established number of samples

  27. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Supervisors • Receive training on the following: • Supervision of Calibration illustrating leadership ability • Analysis of reference level check data • Temperature and humidity monitoring • Correction of routine problems encountered on instruments • Workplace efficiency

  28. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • All new HVI Technicians must complete a two week training program • The training program covers all aspect of instrument operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair

  29. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI Technician Training areas: • Instrument operation • Calibration • Instrument setup • Operation of each component • Instrument evaluation

  30. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI Technician Training Areas: • Data analysis • Proper instrument maintenance • Identification of instrument problems • Instrument repair

  31. Cotton Testing Procedures Employee Training – HVI Technicians • HVI technician must successfully pass a practical and written examination at the conclusion of the training to be certified

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