An extended virtual location method for yarn cross-section construction

Abstract

The first step in the evaluation of physical phenomena in yarns consists of creating a suitable representation of the yarn. Here, we focus on the creation of a realistic grid for the yarn cross-section, which is suitable for mass and heat transfer models. We extend and adapt the virtual location method (VLM) which allows the quick creation of a range of 2D yarn–fiber layouts. We overcome two of its main disadvantages: the presence of too much regularity, and the inability to produce yarn–fiber layouts when blends of fibers with different sizes are present. Our method is based on the standard ring configuration VLM, creating two sets of virtual locations per fiber type, which causes some overlap of the fibers. The overlap is removed with an iteration scheme based on induced movement. The final result is a realistic 2D cross-section of a yarn. A reference implementation is available, and it is shown how the layout can be used to create a grid