Fibre Testing Applications

Every fleece, sliver and filament tells a different story, and a single micron can change how it is priced, processed or spun. Robotic Vision OFDA instruments measure diameter, length and curvature across wool, cashmere, hemp, alpaca, synthetic and more, giving laboratories and mills the data to make confident decisions.

One Instrument Platform, Many Fibre Applications

OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 instruments, engineered by Robotic Vision, are used worldwide to measure greasy wool on farm, tops and slivers in the laboratory, and a growing list of natural, cellulose and synthetic fibres in research and production environments. Each application below links to a dedicated page with methods, typical workflows and relevant measurement outputs.

Explore Fibre Testing Applications

Wool Fibre Testing

Measure mean diameter, distribution, curvature and comfort factor on greasy or clean wool using OFDA2000 on farm or in the shed, and OFDA4000 for laboratory tops and slivers. Aligned with IWTO-47 and IWTO-62 for traceable, certifiable results.

Cashmere Fibre Testing

Grade and benchmark cashmere with rapid diameter and distribution data. Robotic Vision OFDA instruments support processors, breeders and certifiers working to strict fineness specifications across raw, dehaired and processed cashmere.

Hemp Fibre Testing

Apply OFDA to hemp bast and processed fibre for diameter measurement and distribution analysis. Emerging peer-reviewed work supports OFDA as a high-throughput option for hemp textiles and composites.

Flax and Linen Fibre Testing

Characterise flax and linen fibres with objective diameter data to support quality grading, blend decisions and downstream processing performance.

Mohair Fibre Testing

Measure mohair diameter, curvature and distribution to support breeding decisions, classing and processing alignment across the mohair supply chain.

Alpaca Fibre Testing

Generate objective micron, coefficient of variation and curvature data to inform alpaca grading, selection and genetic improvement. Ideal for studs, processors and national breed programmes.

Cellulose and Viscose Fibre Testing

Measure diameter and distribution across cellulose-based fibres, including viscose and other regenerated materials, to support quality control in staple fibre production.

Non-Woven Fibre Testing

Characterise fibre diameter and distribution in non-woven materials used across hygiene, filtration, automotive and technical textiles, where consistency directly affects performance.

Synthetic Fibre Testing

Measure curvature, diameter, and distribution of polyester, polypropylene, nylon and other synthetic staple fibres. Curvature is the most common OFDA application in this market, with rapid high-sample-count testing for R&D and production QC.

Why Laboratories and Mills Choose Robotic Vision

Robotic Vision OFDA instruments use optical image analysis, not lasers, to deliver fibre data that is rapid, repeatable and easy to calibrate. Over 400 instruments are in use globally across wool classing floors, textile laboratories, research institutes and commercial mills.

Rapid measurement: tens of thousands of fibres per minute on OFDA4000 and full distribution data in seconds on OFDA2000
Broad applicability: validated across natural, synthetic, cellulose and emerging fibre types
Standards alignment: referenced under IWTO-47 for diameter and IWTO-62 for length in tops and slivers
Long-lasting calibrations: proven stability with simple, documented calibration procedures
Global support: direct factory support plus an established agent network across major fibre regions

What Robotic Vision Measures Across Every Application

Whether the sample is a greasy wool staple, a polyester sliver or a batch of alpaca fleece, OFDA instruments capture the same core measurements and report them in a consistent, comparable format.

Mean fibre diameter and full diameter distribution
Coefficient of variation and comfort factor
Fibre curvature, reported in degrees per millimetre
Fibre length distribution for tops and slivers on OFDA4000
Sample-level statistics suitable for grading, certification and R&D reporting

Choose Your Fibre Application

Select the fibre you work with to see how Robotic Vision instruments are applied, which OFDA model is recommended, and how the measurement integrates with recognised testing methods. If your fibre is not listed, contact the Robotic Vision team to discuss your application directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Robotic Vision OFDA instruments are used across wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, hemp, flax, linen, cellulose, viscose, non-woven and synthetic fibre applications. The core optical measurement principle stays the same, with sample preparation adapted to each fibre type. If a natural or synthetic fibre needs diameter, distribution or curvature data, Robotic Vision typically supports it. Contact the team if you have a specialised fibre or emerging application and need to confirm suitability.
OFDA2000 is designed for rapid fibre testing of greasy and clean fibres, both on farm and in laboratory settings, making it well suited to wool, cashmere, mohair and alpaca. OFDA4000 is a fully automated laboratory instrument for tops, slivers and high-throughput work on natural, synthetic and cellulose-based fibres. Many laboratories run both instruments to cover on-farm, raw fibre and processed sample workflows in one integrated Robotic Vision platform.
Yes. While Robotic Vision first established OFDA in the wool industry, the instruments are now widely used for non-wool fibre testing. This includes cashmere, mohair, alpaca, hemp, flax, cellulose, viscose, non-woven and synthetic fibres. Peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated OFDA as a viable, high-throughput option for hemp and other bast fibres, and laboratories regularly apply it to synthetic staple fibres for diameter and distribution measurement.
Yes. OFDA is referenced under IWTO-47 for mean fibre diameter and distribution, and under IWTO-62 for length and diameter in tops and slivers. This supports certification, traceability and credible documentation for buyers, processors and regulators.
OFDA is significantly faster than projection microscopy for fibre diameter measurement, and OFDA2000 delivers results in seconds in on-farm conditions. OFDA4000 combines robotic handling with optical imaging to process large sample volumes with minimal operator time. Laboratories typically see faster turnaround than with manual microscopy, while maintaining distribution-level data that airflow methods cannot provide.
Yes. OFDA measures fibre curvature in the same run as diameter, reported in degrees per millimetre. Curvature correlates with crimp character and contributes to fabric handle, bulk and processing behaviour. Reporting both diameter and curvature from a single sample saves time, reduces handling and supports breeding, grading and product development decisions with richer fibre data.
The OFDA has been the established standard in objective fibre measurement for more than 30 years, with over 400 instruments sold worldwide. Customers include commercial wool testing authorities, cashmere and alpaca certifiers, research institutions and large textile mills across Australia, China, South America, Europe and North America. Robotic Vision now manufactures and supports the OFDA range, with a global agent network providing installation, training and service across all major fibre producing regions.
Robotic Vision provides direct factory support alongside a network of trained agents in major fibre markets. Support covers installation, calibration, method alignment and ongoing servicing. Users can build workflows around IWTO-47 and IWTO-62, use Interwoollabs IH standards for calibration, and set calibration intervals based on risk and use. This ensures fibre testing stays accurate and audit-ready over the long life of each instrument.
Start with the primary fibre you work with. Each application page covers the recommended OFDA instrument, typical measurement outputs, relevant standards and common workflows for that fibre type. If you work across multiple fibres, browse more than one application or contact Robotic Vision directly so a specialist can advise on the best configuration for your laboratory, mill or on-farm testing programme.