Carding Machine:
A carding machine is a device used in the textile industry to comb loose wool fibers in sheets. It is an essential step in the process of preparing wool for spinning and weaving. The machine works by aligning the fibers in a parallel manner, removing any impurities, and creating a smooth and even sheet of wool.

Process of Carding:
1. Feeding: The wool fibers are fed into the carding machine through a hopper. The machine consists of a series of rotating cylinders covered with fine wire teeth. As the fibers pass through the cylinders, they are teased apart and opened up.

2. Carding: The opened fibers then move through a series of carding cylinders. These cylinders have wire teeth that are angled in a specific direction. As the fibers pass through the cylinders, the angled teeth comb and separate the fibers, removing any tangles or knots. This process helps to align the fibers in a parallel manner.

3. Stripping: After carding, the fibers may undergo an additional process called stripping. This involves passing the fibers through another set of cylinders with finer wire teeth. The stripping process further aligns and smoothens the fibers, ensuring a consistent sheet of wool.

4. Collection: The carded wool fibers are collected in the form of a continuous sheet called a sliver. The sliver is then wound onto a large spool or bobbin for further processing.

Importance of Carding:
Carding is an important step in the textile industry as it prepares the wool fibers for spinning and weaving. The process of carding aligns the fibers, removes impurities, and creates a smooth and even sheet of wool. This makes it easier to spin the fibers into yarn and weave them into fabric.

Conclusion:
The machine used to comb loose wool fibers in sheets is called a carding machine. It plays a crucial role in preparing the wool for further processing in the textile industry. By aligning the fibers and removing impurities, the carding machine ensures the production of high-quality yarn and fabric.