COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF HIGH-SPEED SPINNING OF PET

An interactive computer simulation of the steady-state melt spinning o f poly(ethylene terephthalate) was developed based upon a combination of physical laws and empirical relationships. The simulation incorpora tes crystallization effects which makes it valid for a wide range of t ake-up speeds. Modifications to the conventional threadline that allow judicious control over the threadline dynamics were modeled and inclu ded in the simulation for exploration of the effects of these perturba tions. The modifications include quenching and on-line zone heating. T he simulation was verified using experimental measurements of threadli ne diameter, velocity, and temperature at 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000 m /min take-up. Off-line measurements of crystallinity and birefringence were also compared with the values calculated by the simulation at th ese speeds. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.