Features

TEAM 3 - Updating and Improving the Prediction Formulae

Introduction

In 1985 the final report of the Trials Evaluating Additional Measurement (TEAM) Project was presented to the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO). The project showed that the then new measurements of Staple Length & Staple Strength could be used to enhance the prediction of the processing performance of wool, and in particular the Mean Hauteur of wool top. Subsequently, the TEAM-2 Project expanded the database considerably, from 232 to 545 consignments. New processing prediction formulae, the TEAM formulae, were published in 1988.

Since then, the TEAM formulae have been the industry benchmark for the prediction of Hauteur, CV (H) and Romaine. Although there have been a number of attempts to provide improved prediction of processing performance during the last 12 years, a survey conducted as late as 1997 clearly showed that the TEAM formulae remain the generally recognised world benchmarks.

While this survey showed general satisfaction with the current TEAM formulae, it did indicate that there are specific wool types that do not predict accurately. Nevertheless, the use of the TEAM formulae as a benchmark had enabled individual mills to improve processing performance significantly. Due to the shortage of industry funds, research to improve prediction for these difficult types and for a wider range of wools has been left to individual topmakers and their customers.

AWTA Ltd's recent introduction of Laserscan as its standard for all Presale Fibre Diameter tests in Australia and the availability of Staple Length & Strength data on most combing lots in catalogues provide both a catalyst and an opportunity to develop improved predictive formulae at minimal cost. It has been suggested that the new measurements provided by LASERSCAN, such as CV (Diameter) and Fibre Curvature, may influence top making performance. If so, their inclusion in the TEAM formulae may improve the accuracy of predicting such performance.

Recent discussions with the trade indicate that there is strong support for a TEAM-3 Project, to determine whether or not the new measurements provide improvements to prediction, and to establish updated prediction formulae. Importantly, AWTA Ltd is prepared to fund participants' costs and to coordinate the programme up to a total commitment of AUD 0.500 million.

Project Outline

A comprehensive database will be developed that matches raw wool characteristics with subsequent processing results. In contrast to TEAM-1 & TEAM-2, the essential raw wool measurements are now widely available from catalogues. Hence, for TEAM-3 there will be no need to incur the cost of widespread post sale Staple Length & Strength measurement, thus simplifying the trial logistics considerably.

A number of mills and topmakers around the world have been invited to participate. To do so, they will simply have to provide the following information:

• AWTA Ltd Combined Certificate Test Numbers for both Yield & Micron and Length & Strength tests, from which both the raw wool measurements and wool descriptions will be obtained. (Equivalent IWTO Test Certificates issued by NZWTA Ltd and WTB-SA, who are also members of the Independent Laboratories Round Trial (ILRT) group, will be accepted if non-Australian wool is included in the consignment.);
• combing mill data / processing results, including test results for the top, actual yield details of top, noil and wastes; and
• sample lengths of the top drawn from each consignment during combing, for examination and testing if unexpected results arise.

Confidentiality will be strictly maintained. Each mill and/or topmaker will be coded to ensure anonymity of processing data. AWTA Ltd will collate and analyse the data on behalf of all participants. The names of the participating companies will be acknowledged in any public report. However, as was the case during the original TEAM project, all reports produced will be written so as to ensure that data cannot be identified with, or traced to, any particular topmaker or mill.

Once data for a sufficient number of consignments, covering several topmakers and mills, has been collected, it will be analysed and a Progress Report will be presented to IWTO.

The responsibility for accepting recommended improvements to the TEAM formulae resulting form TEAM-3 will rest with IWTO, since the formulae are included in its Staple Test Regulations.

Each individual participant will also receive a confidential analysis of their own data, which will facilitate benchmarking against the average of all others.

Expected Benefits

• Rapid and efficient evaluation of the influence of the new measured parameters on processing performance.
• Identification of potential improvements to processing prediction, through incorporation of the latest objective measurements in the TEAM formulae.
• Updating of the TEAM-2 formulae, published in 1988, to reflect modern processing equipment and mill techniques.
• Quantification of the magnitude of improvement in processing performance since the TEAM benchmark was first published.
• Provision of a confidential report to individual participating mills and/or topmakers enabling them to benchmark their 2001/02 processing performance. (In this regard, if there is sufficient continuing interest, AWTA Ltd is prepared to provide an ongoing benchmarking service so that future improvements can be monitored beyond the completion of this TEAM-3 Project).
• Analysis of core/comb comparisons including a review of the Estimated Commercial Top & Noil Yield calculations prescribed by IWTO and, in particular, the Processing Allowances applied.

Expected Timetable

This TEAM-3 Project will be launched before, and publicised at, the IWTO Congress in Shanghai in May 2001. Clearly, the success of TEAM-3 will depend upon the willing participation and cooperation of sufficient topmakers and mills representing a cross-section of the global processing industry. There has been a very positive response to the invitations that have already been sent to approximately 35 mills. It is hoped that sufficient data upon which to base recommended improvements to the TEAM formulae could be assembled within 12-18 months.

For further information regarding TEAM-3, please contact Michael Jackson

An overview of AWTA Ltd's New Management Structure

The new management structure for AWTA Ltd reflects the decision by the Board to restructure management of the business along functional lines, rather than regionally.