Semiautomatic Spinning Frame

This machine was used to spin cotton yarn at the SWA. The actual spinning process was automated: the pair of rollers in the drawing frame stretch the roving up to four times its original length, the trolley carrying the spindles moves away from the machine and stretches the yarn even further. While the trolley is moving, the spindles turn, giving the yarn its twist and its strength - producing fine yarn. As the trolley moves back towards the machine, the threads are wound around the spindles. The rollers and the trolley were driven by a transmission powered by a water wheel. A worker, using muscle power, had to push the trolley back to its starting position. The machine was also known as "semi-self-actor" since only part of the work process was automated.