The scutcher / heckler combines the scutching and heckling actions into one modular machine. It is a “mono-turbine” design, which means there is only a single rotating drum (rather than the double axle versions that are more common industrial processing). The machine consists of three drums to which either scutching blades or heckling combs can be attached. As the fibres are moved across the machine they pass from scutching blades to progressively finer heckling combs.

While this machine does perform scutching and heckling actions satisfactorily, it is still undergoing development to make it more efficient and safer and easier to use. Some points we are currently working on:

• Improved “from the back” fibre loading mechanism. This will make it easier to load the fibres into the machine and help keep them in contact longer with the scutching and heckling combs.
• Clamp for holding the fibres as they pass through the machine
• Conveyor system for moving the clamp through the machine
• Switch to e-bike motor (the scutcher is currently over-powered by a 3-phase AC motor)
• Trials of different heckling combs to find the idea progression